School of Communications > Communication Program > Graduate > M.A. Frequently Asked Questions
M.A. Frequently Asked Questions
What application materials do I need to send to the Graduate Program in the School of Communications?
Step One
Submit a completed University of Hawaii at Manoa application for graduate study along with the required processing fees and documentation to the Graduate Division.
Submit transcript(s) of all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate work you have completed to the Graduate Division. If you attended more than one postsecondary institution, submit a transcript from each school.
For an online application process and further information, check the Graduate Division web site at: http://www.hawaii.edu/graduate.
Step Two
Submit directly to the School of Communications three letters of recommendation describing your academic skills and potential for success in our program. These letters should be from past professors, instructors, or others who can comment on your analytical, reasoning and communicative skills.
Submit directly to the School of Communications a statement of objectives in seeking a Master's degree in Communication in our Program. This two to three page essay should discuss three topics:
- Your background and experience, and how these led you to an interest in our program;
- Your reasons for pursuing a degree in our Program (i.e., areas of emphasis, faculty specialties, course offerings that are of particular interest to you); and
- What you generally plan to do upon completing your MA in Communication.
The applicant is responsible for follow-ups with the Graduate Division and the School to ascertain that all necessary documents have been received on time.
When are the application deadlines?
The application deadline for US citizens to apply for graduate study in Communication is February 1st. The deadline for non-US citizens to apply for graduate study in Communications is January 15th.
What are the requirements for application to graduate study in Communication?
A 3.0 grade point average on a 4-point scale (or its equivalent) from an accredited academic institution is required of all applicants. The Graduate Division determines this basic eligibility criterion.
International students from non-English-speaking countries with degrees from other than U.S. institutions must submit current TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores directly to the Graduate Division. The Graduate Division's minimum TOEFL score is 500. Students not meeting this criterion will not be accepted into the program under any circumstances. Our MA Program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based).
Do I need to submit GRE test scores?
Our Program does not require any standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT, etc.).
What about graduate assistantships and other forms of financial support?
The School is able to offer a limited number of Achievement Scholarships and International Student Scholarships to be applied toward student tuition. The following are Graduate Division Requirements to qualify for each:
- Achievement Scholarships (at least a 3.0 GPA)
- International Student Scholarships (at least a 3.0 GPA & H1, F1 or J1 visa)
To be eligible students must register full-time (at least 8 units) for each semester of the scholarship. Scholarships are granted primarily on the basis of academic performances (GPA); residency status, and seniority within the program ands are awarded solely on a semester-by-semester basis and for a cumulative maximum of four semesters only. The student must have no more than 28 credit hours completed at the beginning of the semester for which the waiver will be used.
The School is able to offer a limited number of Graduate Assistantships. To qualify for an appointment as a graduate assistant, you must have a satisfactory scholastic record, an adequate undergraduate background in communication, and in the case of international students, evidence of a high level of English proficiency (minimum TOEFL score of 600). All applicants for graduate assistantships must be admitted as potential classified graduate degree candidates in order to be considered for appointments. Appointees must carry at least 6 units of credit each semester and maintain at least a B (3.0) average.
What is the normal applicant review process?
- The Graduate Division screens applicant files. That office may not complete evaluations of all applicants for up to two months following the application deadline.
- Applicants not meeting Graduate Division admission requirements are notified by the Graduate Division that they do not meet minimum requirements for admission.
- When the Graduate Division finishes its evaluations, the School's Graduate Faculty review the files of all applicants judged by the Graduate Division to meet admission requirements. Applicants are judged on the basis of interests, academic records, and recommendations, and are admitted on a space-available basis.
- Fifteen to twenty applicants are admitted each year out of a pool of approximately seventy.
- Applicants are usually notified of an admission decision within the third month following the application deadline.
Who can I contact for further information?
For information on the MA program in general or an update on the status of your application phone the School of Communications office at (808) 956-8715 or e-mail to commgrad@hawaii.edu or fax to (808) 956-5396.
Specific faculty members can be contacted by e-mail at the addresses given below and information about their interests can be found on their linked home pages.
| Faculty Member | E-mail Address |
|---|---|
| Prof. Ann Auman | auman@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Thomas Brislin | tbrislin@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Dineh Davis | dineh@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Gary Fontaine | fontaine@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Ruth Huard | huard@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Gerald Kato | gkato@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Beverly Keever | bkeever@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Joung-Im Kim | joungim@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Colin Macdonald | colin@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Marc Moody | mmoody@hawaii.edu |
| Prof. Dan Wedemeyer | danw@hawaii.edu |
How much does it cost?
All tuition and fee charges at the University of Hawaii campuses are subject to change in accordance with requirements of State law and/or action by the Board of Regents or by the University administration. Tuition is based on the number of credit hours for which you enroll and your resident status, according to the rates shown on the UHM Admissions & Records - Tuition & Fees web page.
