Doctoral Program
The Department of Communication & Journalism at Texas A&M University uses a holistic application review process to make admission decisions. This review process examines all application materials for indicators of success, including academic preparedness and achievements, relevant professional experiences, and demonstration of perseverance and “grit.”
Important Note for Fall 2025 Admissions
For Fall 2025 admissions, our review process will also examine the extent to which an applicant’s research goals and career aspirations fit with faculty and curriculum in the Humanities & Critical/Cultural Studies division (note: admissions to the Communication & Media Science division will resume in Fall 2026). As such, prospective applicants should review Humanities & Critical Cultural Studies, and communicate the ways their research interests align with the division in their application materials.
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To receive full consideration for admissions and funding, all applicants must submit an application, application fee, and the following materials to the TAMU Graduate CAS system by December 1st:
- Curriculum Vita
- Statement of Purpose. A 500-750 word essay that details the applicant’s objectives for the graduate program, research interests, fit with the program and experiences that will enable success. Applicants should indicate faculty members with whom they are interested in working.
- Writing Sample. A writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to write clearly and to think critically and conceptually. Solo-authored academic writing is strongly encouraged. Please limit writing samples to 10,000 words.
- Letters of Recommendation (3). Submit letter of recommendation requests through the CAS system. Letter writers should not mail letters; they will be asked to upload the letters into this system. Ideally at least one of these letters is from a professor or other scholarly mentor who can speak to your performance and promise in an academic setting
- Transcripts. For the purpose of the application process, you may upload unofficial transcripts to the GradCAS system. However, if you are accepted into our program, you must submit official transcripts before you will be able to enroll in courses.
- GRE (Optional). The Department of Communication & Journalism graduate admissions is GRE test-optional. Applicants who wish to submit scores should self-report the scores in the CAS application, and have official scores sent by ETS (Code: 6003).
- English Language Proficiency (International applicants from non-English-speaking countries only). Texas A&M University requires all applicants from non-English-speaking countries to submit proof of English proficiency. For more information on accepted evidence of English proficiency, visit TAMU International Graduate Student Admissions.
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Each applicant is considered for financial support in the form of a teaching assistantship or fellowship (unless otherwise indicated in the application). Applicants applying after the deadline may find that funding resources have been expended, and/or all available slots for the upcoming year have been filled.
This graduate assistantship offers a $22,000 stipend and tuition/fees for fall and spring semesters for up to five years. Summer teaching assistantships and tuition/fee support is often available, but not guaranteed.
Graduate research assistantships are offered periodically to those students who have research interests and skills that align with specific faculty members. Research assistantships are granted on a very limited basis after a student’s first semester.
Texas A&M University also offers fellowships, which are awarded on a competitive basis. To learn more about TAMU’s incoming student fellowship opportunities, visit: Texas A&M Graduate Fellowships.
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Does the department offer admission for those seeking an MA degree?
At this time, we are only admitting students to the PhD program.
Does admission to the PhD program require a Master’s (or equivalent) degree?
No. Admission to the doctoral program requires a Baccalaureate (or equivalent) degree. All applicants, however, should submit evidence of an ability to successfully manage the the rigor of a doctoral degree program.
Is there a minimum GPA or GRE requirement for admission?
No. The department uses a holistic review approach to application admissions, and GRE scores are not required.
How much is the application fee? Can the fee be waived?
An application fee of $65 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $90 for international applicants (in addition to a centralized application service processing fee) is required to process an application for admission. The application fee is nonrefundable. The $65 fee required of U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be waived only in exceptional cases for low-income applicants and McNair Scholars. To receive the waiver, the applicant should provide an award letter from the current school's financial aid office showing the award of a Pell Grant. McNair Scholars must provide a letter from their McNair Program Director verifying their status as a McNair Scholar in good standing to receive the fee waiver. Waiver of the $90 international application fee is not available.
Submit this information by email to d-nichols@tamu.edu and include your major of interest and term of application.
How many applicants do you admit each year?
We aim to admit ten funded students (five in each division) each year. For Fall 2025, we will admit five funded students.
I am interested in working with faculty in the Communication & Media Science division, should I apply?
All applicants for Fall 2025 admissions will be evaluated in terms of their fit with the Humanities and Critical/Cultural Studies doctoral curriculum and graduate faculty. Students admitted in Fall 2025 will have the opportunity to take courses from and collaborate with graduate faculty members of the Communication & Media Science division; however, those who do not have research interests directly aligned with Humanities and Critical/Cultural Studies faculty should not apply for the Fall 2025 admission cycle.
Do you accept late applications?
To receive full consideration for admissions and funding, all application materials submitted directly by the applicant must be received by December 1st, and letters of recommendation should be received no later than December 15th. At at any time after December 15th the application portal will close, and we will no longer accept applications.
When should I expect to hear about admission decisions?
Review of applications begins in early January and extends until all available slots (usually 8-10) have been filled. During the review of applications, applicants who pass a first round of review will be invited to submit an asynchronous video interview. This interview will be used in the final admission decisions. The first round of funded PhD application decisions are made around February 1st, with additional offers of admission and funding being extended throughout the spring semester.
If at any time an applicant has a question about the status of their application, please contact Dr. Tasha N. Dubriwny, Associate Head, Graduate Studies.