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Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies

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communication graduate programs.

The School of Communication offers a Master of Arts degree emphasizing a broad theoretical knowledge of speech and mass communication. Graduate students achieve in-depth knowledge of communication processes and effects, and acquire the skills needed to discover new knowledge through research and other forms of scholarly activity. They also acquire skills and knowledge needed for professional growth. Graduate students conduct original research for a thesis or project.

School of Communication graduate faculty offer an impressive blend of academic and professional media and corporate experience. Faculty are actively involved in discovery of new knowledge through publication in top scholarly journals. The faculty seek to cultivate in students breadth and depth of knowledge about communication, and seek to foster the spirit of free investigation.

Admissions Procedures and Policies

Prospective communication graduate students should first contact the School's graduate program coordinator. International students are required to have a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (213 if computer-based; 79-80 if internet-based). Additionally, applicants must submit a Statement of Purpose, a resume, One copy of official transcripts from all previously attended universities and three letters of recommendations - Please provide the names and email addresses for your recommenders(A Request form will be emailed to recommenders by UNO when you submit your online application.) and follow requirements and procedures applicable to all prospective UNO graduate students, including completion of the Application for Graduate Admission along with the application fee.

The School may grant unconditional or provisional admission. Unconditional Admission may be granted to a student whose record includes at least the following:

  • Certification of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution;
  • Documentation through official transcript using a 4.0 grade point scale of having earned at least:
    • a 3.25 in communication undergraduate work, and
    • either a 3.0 overall undergraduate average or a 3.25 average in the last half of undergraduate credit hours, and
  • Inclusion of at least 15 undergraduate semester hours of appropriate courses in communication, including sufficient advanced upper division preparation in the area of graduate concentration.

Provisional Admission may be granted for reasons of experience, maturity or other circumstances to a student who does not meet the unconditional admission standards. In no case may a student be admitted who does not meet UNO Graduate College provisional admission standards. If granted provisional admission, the student must complete a graduate level communication seminar during the first 12 hours of course work with a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.

Applicants who have more than six hours of undergraduate deficiencies will be advised to remove them before applying for any type of admission.

Before deciding whether or not to recommend provisional admission, the School's graduate faculty may require any one or any combination of the following:

  • Completion of prescribed course(s) (not for graduate credit) with a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher; and/or
  • Passing such test(s) as faculty members deem necessary in order to determine whether the applicant is adequately prepared for graduate study.
Certificate in Human Resources and Training

In conjunction with the departments of business administration and psychology, the School of Communication is offering a Certificate in Human Resources and Training. For specific requirements, please go to Human Resources and Training.

Certificate in Technical Communication

In conjunction with the Department of English, the School of Communication offers a Certificate in Technical Communication. For specific requirements, please go to Technical Communication Certificate.




last updated: 11/2/2011 at 12:44pm