How to Apply - University of Houston
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Jack J. Valenti School of Communication

How to Apply

Applying to Our Master's Program

The graduate program at the Valenti School of Communication accepts applications for fall semesters only. All required application materials must be received by the application deadlines outline below in order to be considered complete and submitted for review by the admission committee.

All applications are reviewed by the Valenti School of Communication's admission committee. Afterwards, a recommendation will be made to the Dean's Office in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Approve applicants will be notified via an official letter or email.

 

Application Deadlines

  • Priority Applicants: January 15, 2024
  • Domestic Applicants: June 1, 2024
  • International Applicants: April 15, 2024
 

Application Process

Applications to the graduate program are processed through an automated admission system. Please submit your application online using the following link.
  • No GRE Needed

    To apply for the Graduate Program at the Valenti School of Communication, the GRE scores are optional. The graduate applicants can submit their test scores, but this is not a requirement that will determine their admission into the graduate program.

  • Application Fee
    The application fee is $50 for domestic students and $80 for international students.
  • Official Transcripts
    Submit official transcripts from any higher educational institutions you attended. Must be received before enrollment. (To confirm status, email the Graduate School at gradschool@uh.edu.) Mailed transcripts to University of Houston, Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 3947, Houston, Texas 77253-3947.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    Two letters of recommendations should be submitted, preferably from former or present instructors who can comment on your academic work in detail. Letters from employers are also accepted.
  • Statement of Purpose
    The statement of purpose is a brief, 1-2 page essay that addresses why you want to pursue graduate work in communication, your experiences in communication, your plans for after receiving a graduate degree, and why you wish to attend the Valenti School of Communication.
  • Resume
    Include your resume with your application.
  • Writing Sample
    The writing sample should highlight your critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and research skills. Research papers from undergraduate classes are recommended. Professional communication documents on behalf of a client, organizational, or class (e.g., a press release, a news article, etc.) are also accepted.
  • TOEFL Test Scores
    (International Students only) International students must provide evidence of satisfactory English proficiency. The TOEFL exam provides this evidence and must be taken at least a month before submitting your application and must not be more than 2 years old. TOEFL scores must meet the new minimum requirement of the International Based Test (IBT) of 79.
Students standing in front of whiteboard

Acceptance Status

Keep in mind that all of the materials in the application packet are factored into admission decisions.

Below, we have outlined the requirements for both unconditional - or, guaranteed - admission and conditional admission into its graduate program. These acceptance statuses are impacted by the  strength of the student's application.

Unconditional vs. Conditional

  • Unconditional Acceptance

    To be considered eligible for unconditional acceptance, a prospective student must have the following:

    • A Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field from an accredited institution. Students may have to complete required leveling courses if they do not have adequate background in the degree they are pursuing. Please be aware that these leveling courses will likely extend how long it takes to complete the program.
    • A minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours attempted

    Students who have earned several grades of C or below in undergraduate communication courses will not be deemed eligible for this level of admission. 

  • Conditional Acceptance

    Applicants who do not meet the criteria for unconditional acceptance might be considered for conditional acceptance. Any student admitted conditionally must demonstrate the following:

    • A GPA of at least 2.7/4.0 in the last 60 hours
    • A GPA of at least 3.00 in communication hours
    • Additional application materials that suggest the student can succeed in this graduate program. For example acceptable GRE scores.