Admission Application Changes
Thanks for your interest in our graduate program. Our next deadline for admission is January 9, 2009 for the fall 2009 semester. We admit new students only for the fall semester, not the spring semester. Our areas of specialization include health communication, interpersonal communication, and mass communication.
The M.A. requires 30 semester hours of credit, and there are two options -- (1) the traditional master's with 30 hours of course work and a written and oral final exam, and (2) the traditional master's with 24 hours of course work and six hours of thesis (the final exam is the oral defense of the thesis). The traditional master's emphasizes communication theory and research.
We also offer a Ph.D. in Communication, which requires the equivalent of about four years of full-time work, including five semesters of course work and a year of dissertation research and writing. At the end of the course work, there is a written and oral qualifying exam. The first year is primarily required courses. You can apply directly to the Ph.D. Program from a bachelor's program, although you would be required to complete an additional year of study or a total of the equivalent of about four years of work. The University of Kentucky Graduate School does not allow the transfer of credits from another institution into the doctoral program.
You can view detailed information about our program at our web site:
http://www.uky.edu/CommInfoStudies/GRAD
You may also want to visit our Communication Graduate Student Association web site:
http://www.uky.edu/CommInfoStudies/GSA
You can obtain application forms and view the Graduate Bulletin on-line at the Graduate School's web site:
http://www.rgs.uky.edu/gs
You can view information about teaching and research assistantships at UK at:
http://www.rgs.uky.edu/gs/fellowship/tarainfo.html
You can complete virtually all application steps on-line, including checking your application status at a later time, at:
http://www.rgsweb-secure.rgs.uky.edu/cfdocs/gs/admissions/logon/appmenu.html
The requirements for all students are (1) two copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, (2) a 2-3 page application essay that describes your reasons for wanting to study communication at the graduate level and for wanting to attend our program, (3) a completed application , (3) a $40 application fee ($55 for international students), (4) official Graduate Record Exam scores, and (5) at least three letters of recommendation from individuals, preferably professors, who are familiar with your academic abilities, particularly your ability to do graduate work. The Graduate School also requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale) and a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.00 (out of 4.00). All of the materials, except the letters and the biographical sketch should be sent directly to the Graduate School, not to my office. The letters of recommendation and the application essay should be sent directly to me. There are scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available. Teaching assistantships typically require that the person have at least 18 hours of graduate credit in communication from an American university. If you decide to apply for assistance, there is no longer a separate form. Just simply indicate that you wish to be considered in your letter of application.
Full-time teaching assistantships currently pay $13,000 for nine months for doctoral students and $9,500 for master's students. Full-time assistantships include remission of all tuition, except the student health fee, and a basic health insurance policy. Research assistantships pay approximately $13,000-$17,000 and also include tuition remission and health insurance. Fellowships and scholarships range from tuition waivers to $18,000 per year.
I hope this information has been useful. If you have additional questions, just let me know.
Sincerely,
Dr. Derek R. Lane
Associate Dean
