The Admission Application Process
To apply for admission to the Ph.D. program, applicants must submit the following materials:
1. The application for admission to graduate school at West Virginia University. The application for admission to graduate school at West Virginia University can be accessed on-line at www.arc.wvu.edu. (The application can be completed either on-line or downloaded and mailed to Admissions and Records.) A nonrefundable fee of $50.00 must be received by Admissions and Records before the application will be processed. On line 16 of the application, 1473 should be identified as the Major Code and Communication Studies should be identified as the Intended Major.
2. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants should have a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative components of the GRE and a minimum score of 4.0 on the analytical component of the GRE. Scores should not be older than five years at the time of application.
3. Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Examination (TOEFL) for International Students only whose native language is not English. Scores will be accepted from any of three versions (i.e., Internet-based test, Computer-based test, Paper-based test). Applicants should score in the 90th percentile of the test version taken.
4. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the Registrar of the college and/or university attended. Applicants should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.30.
The application form, the GRE scores, the TOEFL scores (if applicable), and all transcripts should be submitted to Admissions and Records, PO Box 6009, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009. Once these materials have been processed by Admissions and Records, they are sent to the Department.
5. A vita. The vita should include all formal education, any teaching or professional work experience, and any research projects conducted to date.
6. A statement of interest. The statement of interest is a 3-4 page, typed document in which applicants identify (1) their reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, (2) their reasons for wanting to attain their Ph.D. degree in Communication Studies at West Virginia University, (3) their research interests and how these interests correspond with the research conducted by the Department faculty, (4) the faculty members whose research interests are most closely aligned with their own educational and career goals, and (5) why attaining the Ph.D. degree in Communication Studies specifically from West Virginia University is vital to the achievement of their career goals.
7. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic progress and potential. These letters of recommendation should address whether the applicant has the ability to succeed in the Ph.D. program in Communication Studies at West Virginia University as both a Ph.D. student and as a graduate teaching assistant. No e-mailed or faxed letters of recommendation will be accepted.
8. A sole-authored sample of scholarly writing completed in the applicant’s M.A. program. This sample can be a course paper, a convention paper, a thesis or major project, or a journal article.
9. Any additional supporting material. This material can include, but is not limited to, awards received for outstanding research, teaching, or academic endeavors; a convention paper or journal article of which the applicant is a co-author; a newspaper or magazine article; or teaching evaluations.
The vita, statement of interest, recommendation letters, scholarly writing sample, and any additional supporting material should be mailed directly to Dr. Scott A. Myers, Ph.D. Coordinator, Department of Communication Studies, PO Box 6293, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6293.
The deadline for application for admission for the 2009-2010 academic year is February 4, 2009. Applications which are incomplete at this time will not be considered. Once all the materials have been reviewed, a decision for acceptance will be made. Upon acceptance into the program, applicants will receive written notification from the Department.
