The Master of Arts in Applied Communication Studies is a professionally-oriented master’s degree offered completely online. Apply here.
To begin the program in the Spring semester, applications must be submitted by December 10. For a Summer start date, priority deadline for applications is April 1 and for a Fall start date, we encourage applicants to have their materials submitted by May 31. For each semester, we will review applications until all spots are filled.
Regular Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- 2.70 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours (including post-baccalaureate hours) OR a 3.0 GPA or higher in at least 9 hours of relevant graduate coursework from a regionally accredited, domestic institution or an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities.
- Writing samples must display a readiness for graduate-level work and are evaluated by the graduate faculty selection committee based on three categories: writing skills/ability, inclusion of academic sources and research to support claims, and clear articulation of theories or concepts presented.
- Good fit for the program based on Statement of Purpose, Resume/Curriculum Vitae, and references.
Admission Materials
- Two recent academic writing samples (from the last 5 years). We prefer at least one academic writing sample be related to communication or a related discipline. If you do not have recent writing samples or do not have at least one writing sample focused on communication or communication theory, please send a request to graduate coordinator Dr. Bailey Blackburn (boblackburn@ualr.edu) for writing prompts to be sent to you (if requesting writing prompts, please reach out prior to submitting your application).
- A 300-500 word Statement of Purpose – a professional statement that addresses 1) how you see this program as a good match for your goals and 2) discusses your dedication and ability to complete the program across two years
- A current Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
- Contact information (address, email, phone number) for two academic or professional references (no letters should be sent).
- Official transcripts* from all previously attended colleges or universities. *Important: If you are returning to school after a considerable time away, graduating from undergrad the same semester you are applying to the MA program, or have no prior academic background in the field of Communication (or less than 18 hours of completed communication coursework), please email an unofficial transcript to the graduate coordinator (Dr. Bailey Blackburn, boblackburn@ualr.edu) for preliminary review PRIOR to submitting your application. This will help identify if you need preparatory post-BA coursework before admission.
- Graduate School Application Payment ($40 one-time payment)
- Please contact Dr. Bailey Blackburn (boblackburn@ualr.edu) if you have questions and/or if you desire to arrange a Zoom or in person meeting to discuss the program and your goals or the overall application process
- Apply to our program and upload all of your application materials.
Important facts for regular admission status:
- 3.0 GPA must be met to maintain graduate student status. A GPA below 3.0 will result in academic probation for a semester to allow the GPA to be raised. Students not raising their GPA to a 3.0 after the probationary semester will be suspended.
Conditional Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- 2.00-2.69 cumulative GPA (including post-baccalaureate hours) from a regionally accredited, domestic institution or an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities.
- Writing samples must display a readiness for graduate-level work and are evaluated by the graduate faculty selection committee based on three categories: writing skills/ability, inclusion of academic sources and research to support claims, and clear articulation of theories or concepts presented.
- Good fit for program based on Statement of Purpose, Resume or/ Curriculum Vitae, and references.
Important facts for conditional admission status:
- GPA of a 3.0 must be maintained in the first 9 hours of the program to qualify for review to move from conditional to regular admission. If the criteria is not met, a student can no longer be enrolled. Students who are conditionally admitted cannot receive an “Incomplete” grade for any of these first 9 hours.
- Graduate assistantships are not offered to applicants in conditional status
Alternative Pathway to Admission
If an applicant does not meet regular or conditional admission requirements, but can document a substantive career record that suggests the experience, maturity, and aptitude for graduate work, they may have the option of working with the selection committee for an alternative pathway for admission. This path will vary depending on factors that prevented the student from receiving regular or conditional admission (e.g., low score on writing samples, low GPA, etc.). Additional undergraduate coursework may be required in order to be accepted into the graduate program.
Graduation Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved 33-hour program of study
- Successful completion and defense of master’s paper
Whether you’re a current UA Little Rock student or thinking about applying for admission, we’d love to tell you more about the Applied Communication program. If you are an international student, see the FAQ’s that indicate that the MA fully online program does not meet F-1 visa requirements.
