The Department of Communication Studies offers a competitive graduate program with two tracks, either Communication track or Integrated Marketing Communication track. For the COMM track, students must complete 45 units; the IMC track requires 48 units whereas approximately 51% of the course work is completed in Communication and 49% is completed in Marketing. The COMM track requires four core classes while the IMC track requires seven. Either track has the capstone options of thesis, project, or the comprehensive exam.
General Information
Requirements
Application Process
FAQ
Financial aid
Admissions
International admissions
International student services
General Information:
The program only accepts students in the fall term which begins towards the end of September. We begin accepting applications November 1st and review completed applications in February and once more in April until the program is full. The program typically fills by May. Your file is not complete until the Admissions Office has received and processed your file. Once they do so, they will advance the material to the Graduate Program and the Graduate Coordinator will join it with your additional materials. Once steps one and two noted below are fulfilled, your file is then considered complete.
Our program caters to students who are working full time, therefore our classes are primarily offered at night. Typically they are Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday 6:00-8:00 or 8:00-10:00 pm. Occasionally, we offer a four hour class one night a week 6:00-10:00. Full time graduate status is two classes per quarter. Rarely do we offer summer graduate classes; however, the Marketing Department may for the IMC track students. We do not offer an online program. The program is designed for completion in two years once students achieve classified status; however, students may take up to seven years to complete the degree.
Requirements:
To be considered for the program, applicants must have
- a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall or in the last 90 quarter units,
- a completed application,
- international students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 230/575.
All students are not advanced to classified status until they have met the required 24 units of Communication and any pre-requisites.
Application Process:
The application process is two-fold:
Apply to the Graduate School by completing an online application throughthe university admissions office, submit all official transcripts, and pay the university application fee.
For international students: submit TOEFL exam score, and financial statement. These materials must be sent directly to the University Admissions Office. Please refer to http://www.csumentor.edu/ for questions about the application process, fees, financial aid, etc.
Apply to the Graduate Program by submitting three letters of recommendation and a one page personal statement. The letters should attest to your academic aptitude, be on letterhead, signed, and be within one year old. The personal statement should explain how this program is suited for your professional future and interests. The material can be sent one at a time or collected and sent all at once. These materials should be sent to:
Graduate Coordinator
California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway Department of Communication Studies San Bernardino, CA 92407-2397
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do you require the GRE, GMAT, etc?
No
- What 24 units in COMM do you recommend?
COMM 304, 306, 309, 400, and two upper division electives that fit your interest
- What are the pre-requisites for the IMC track?
COMM 306, 341, MKTG 305, 410 and either COMM 400 or MKTG 416
- What if I don't meet the minimum GPA requirement?
You can take post baccalaureate classes to improve your GPA; however, they should be upper division COMM classes to demonstrate your interest and abilities in the discipline.
- What if my TOEFL score does not meet the minimum?
You may continue to re-take the TOEFL score and re-apply to the program.
- What if my application is incomplete by the time the department reviews them?
The graduate committee and/or coordinator will continuecollecting material to complete applications and will continue reviewing them as long as the program is not full. When acceptance letters are mailed out, we request that people RSVP to the program. If we do not hear back or students state they will not be joining the program, we continue to review completed applications until all the spots fill. Currently we accept 10-15 students per track per year.
- Do you offer any assistantships or tuition waivers?
We do not have any tuition waivers; however we do have teaching assistantships available in which graduate students teach the basic public speaking undergraduate course. The stipend is small but the program is designed to give experience to those interested in pursuing a career in teaching. To be considered for the TA-ship, graduate students must be accepted or active in the program, be in good standing, have met the 24 units in Communication requirement, and submit an application to the TA Coordinator by early May.
Contact the TA Coordinator or Graduate Coordinator for the annual specific date.
To apply, submit a vita/resume and a one page statement of interest to the TA Coordinator. For financial assistance please refer to http://www.csumentor.edu/ or check http://finaid.csusb.edu/
- Are there any other requirements in addition to the pre- requisites and 24 units in COMM?
Yes, the Graduate School requires that all graduate students meet the Graduate Writing Requirement. Please refer to http://gradstudies.csusb.edu/ for additional information.
