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Home > Graduate > FAQAPPLYING TO THE PROGRAMWhat is the Application Procedure?Where do I get application materials?Can I apply at any time of the year?All Doctoral application materials must be in the program office by January 15th to be considered for Fall admission. We do not admit students to begin the program in Spring semester. All Masters application materials must be in the program office by February 1st. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered during this process. The doctoral program does make limited provision for applicants who request late admission. If an applicant requests late consideration, if there is space remaining in the program, and if the applicant's credentials are clearly comparable to those of admitted students, the Ph.D. Director may forward applications to the Admissions Committee for late admission. The deadline for receipt of late application materials is May 1st. What are your admissions deadlines?All application materials must be in the program office by January 15th to be considered for the Doctoral program, and by February 1st for the Master's program. Can I submit an application after the deadline?The program does make limited provision for doctoral applicants who request late admission. If an applicant requests late consideration, if there is space remaining in the program, and if the applicant's credentials are clearly comparable to those of admitted students, the Ph.D. Director may forward applications to the Admissions Committee for late admission. The deadline for receipt of late application materials is May 1.n The Masters program does not have late admission provisions. ALUMNI/GRADUATEHow successful are your graduates at finding employment upon graduation?Our doctoral students have been very successful in locating employment after graduation. At this time, 65% of them are professors or administrators at the University level; 9% of them teach in Community Colleges, 13% work as consultants, 7% work in the private sector, 2% are in government, and 2% are employed in miscellaneous others types of jobs. Among our masters' students, 28% are doctoral students, 28% currently are college professors/instructors, 22% are consultants, 9% work for nonprofits, 6% are lawyers or law students, and 4 percent work in the private sector, and 3% are employed in miscellaneous other types of jobs. What types of jobs do your graduates do?The Masters degree program in Communication provides its graduates with a variety of opportunities, including:
Currently, our doctoral students are employed thusly:
Can I contact current graduate students?You may contact current graduate students by clicking on his or her name at the Graduate Student Directory. Of the people who start your grad program, what percent finish? 71% of MA students and 78% of doctoral students PROGRAM AND COURSE REQUIREMENTSWhat is the average time to graduation?Two years for Masters degrees and four years for Ph.D. Can I get an MA in one year?No. How do I get out (i.e., comps, thesis/dissertation)?Master's Program:A written comprehensive examination over communication theory, methodology, and the student's area of emphasis is required; and A thesis, which is an account of original research, and an oral examination in defense of the thesis. Doctoral Program:Comprehensive ExaminationsUpon completion of course work and before the formal approval of the dissertation proposal, the student is examined in the relevant area of concentration and research methods. The examination consists of both written and oral components designed to test the student's interdisciplinarity in the field and chosen area of concentration and the student's readiness to undertake interdisciplinary dissertation research. The examination is conducted by the student's supervisory committee. Admission to CandidacyAfter the student has passed both the written and oral portions of the comprehensive examination and the student's dissertation topic has been approved, the student may apply to the Graduate College for admission to candidacy. No dissertation hours (COM 799) may be taken before admission to candidacy, but six hours of research (COM 792)may be taken before admission to candidacy. Students must enroll for 12 hours of research (COM 792)/dissertation (COM 799) credit following the semester in which they are advanced to candidacy. Dissertation ProposalBefore conducting research for the dissertation, each student must submit a dissertation proposal that is defended orally and approved by the student's dissertation committee. Research and DissertationThe dissertation consists of a fully documented written analysis of a problem that extends the knowledge and/or theoretical framework of the field and reflects the student's creativity and competence in independent, interdisciplinary research using an appropriate research methodology. Final ExaminationsAn oral examination in defense of the dissertation, conducted by the dissertation committee, is required. Can I take graduate courses online?At this time, we have no graduate courses online. What seminars are offered?Visit the seminars section for more information. When (time) are classes offered?Typically, graduate level seminars and courses are offered in the late afternoon after 3:00 pm and in the evening time slots. Can students be in multiple specialty areas?Yes-- we encourage this. What is the Ph.D. residency requirement? (i.e., min semesters on-campus)?The minimum residence requirement for graduate degrees is two consecutive semesters with full-time status subsequent to admission to the program. It is expected that students will be available during the period of residency so that they can be present on campus and interact with faculty and fellow students during normal hours of instruction. How flexible are degree requirements regarding outside classes?Since we are an interdisciplinary degree, we encourage students to take courses outside of the School. Are statistics courses required for the Ph.D.?All applicants should be knowledgeable in the basic principles of both qualitative and quantitative methods of research, social statistics, and communication theory. If course work in these areas has not been completed, admitted students are required to successfully complete COM 501 Research Methods in Communication, COM 504 Theories and Models in Communication, and a relevant graduate-level statistics course (plus any other courses stipulated by the admissions committee) before enrolling in the required theory and methodology sequence. What is a typical program of study?Masters Program Information What are the rules and policies on transfer credit?A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit taken at other institutions, or at ASU as a non-degree student, may be transferred to the master's or doctoral program in the Hugh Downs School, and may replace elective courses only. How competitive are the classes regarding Grades?The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication encourages a cooperative environment. FUNDINGAre assistantships available outside communication?Yes. Interested students should check with student employment for other on-campus assistantship opportunities. Previous students have had assistantships offered by the Provost's Office and the Center for Urban Inquiry, among others. Are research assistantships available?Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships are available. Funded graduate students have the opportunity to teach a broad range of communication courses, assist with the Forensics team or Interpreters Theatre, and/or serve as Research Assistants for faculty. All students receiving Graduate Assistantships automatically receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition fees. The University also offers a variety of Graduate Fellowships and research funding opportunities for which qualified graduate students may apply. What are your assistantship packages like?Presently, Graduate Assistantships (for masters' students) pay $12,225 per academic year (AY), and Graduate Associateships (for doctoral students) pay $14,125 per academic year. Student typically are allowed to teach at least one summer course, for which MA students receive $2,750 and doctoral students receive $3,250. These packages include a waiver of out-of-state tuition, a partial remission of instate tuition, and health insurance. Is there health insurance for students?In cooperation with Arizona Board of Regents and Student Health and Wellness Center, ASU sponsors an affordable policy in which students may enroll. Call (480) 965-2411 for more information or e-mail to insurance@asu.edu. Is there support for graduate student research and expenses?The Graduate College and the Associated Students organization each provide support for graduate student research and expenses. However, students must apply and are selected on a competitive basis. Is there money for travel to conferences to present papers?Typically the School provides funding if you are presenting a paper. You may also apply to the Graduate College which often provides matching funds for graduate student travel to conferences. REPUTATION AND SIZEHow does the school rank against other programs in the discipline?ASU is an internationally recognized research institution and center for the promotion of cultural and performing arts. It is a leading center for research and technological advancement, in partnership with the private sector to advance the economic competitiveness and quality of life in Arizona. In NCA's 1996 ranking of doctoral programs, the Hugh Downs School's program was ranked first in intercultural, its organizational program was ranked ninth, and its interpersonal program was ranked twelfth. Since that time, the School's program has grown in stature and size. How big is your program?The actual number of students varies from year-to-year. On average, we have approximately 25 masters students and 50 to 60 doctoral students in various stages of their programs. RESEARCHWhat are some recent research projects that graduate students are working on?Graduate Student Research Projects Do faculty members mentor graduate students?Admitted graduate students are given temporary advisors at the beginning of the first fall semester. Together with the Director of the Master's or Doctoral Program, students then select a permanent thesis or dissertation director and two additional members of the supervisory committee. Are the faculty willing/eager to do research with graduate students?Yes! Most faculty both conduct research with graduate students and direct and consult on graduate student projects. What does the faculty study/research?Faculty members and their research interests TEACHINGAre TAs always in solo sections?TA assignments include teaching solo sections of our undergraduate courses as well as serving as teaching assistants for senior faculty in upper division courses. Advanced doctoral students often then teach upper division courses on their own. Can I teach upper-level courses in my specialty?Typically all Ph.D. students will have this opportunity during their time here. What sort of professional training is provided?For incoming MA and Ph.D. students, we offer a teacher training orientation prior to the start of Fall semester. New instructors also are mentored by Dr. Daniel Brouwer throughout their first year in the School. Brown Bag lunches and seminars are held as well to provide information and instruction on a variety of issues related to professionalism in the field of communication. What will I get to teach?MA students typically teach the lower division public speaking or small group classes. The Ph.D. students typically teach small groups or business and professional communication and then upper division courses in their specialty area. Will we be trained to teach our classes?One to two weeks prior to starting with us at ASU you will be required to attend teacher training orientation. New instructors will be mentored during their first year by Dr. Daniel Brouwer. You may also serve as an apprentice with a faculty member teaching in your area. What kinds of technology are available to graduate students?Computers, printers and internet access are available in every graduate student office. In addition, graduate students often teach in our mediated classrooms, which include videotaping and playback facilities. The School also owns a variety of laptops, videorecorders and playback systems, two projectors for PowerPoint presentations, taperecorders, and other types of equipment for research and teaching purposes. LOCATIONWhat is life like in Tempe?Please visit www.tempe.gov for the Official City of Tempe website, with information about local events, museums, libraries, parks, and transportation available. What recreation activities are available in the area?Please visit www.tempe.gov for information of recreation activities available in tempe. What is the parking situation like?Please visit www.tempe.gov/parking for information on parking with the meter system in local Tempe. Please also visit www.asu.edu/dps/pts/ for detailed information on campus parking (includes an ASU parking map, and information on purchasing parking decals). Is public transportation available?Please see www.tempe.gov/traffic for transportation information including bus routes, bike paths and parking.
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