Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission into the WSU Master of Professional Communication program must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or be in the final stage of completing the degree. They must also have completed the prerequisites of COMM 3000 (Communication Theory) and COMM 3150 (Communication Research Methods) or close equivalents before enrolling in any MPC course.
Applicants will submit:
- Completed application with personal essay
- Current resume
- Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended
- Three letters of academic and/or professional recommendation
- Scores from the GRE taken within the last five years
Additional Admission Requirements for International Students
All international students and any applicants educated outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English must submit an official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based). The score may not be more than two years old. Equivalent IELTS score is also accepted in place of TOEFL. Students who do not have these scores may be admitted provisionally to the program upon review. If they are able to perform satisfactorily in their first semester, their provisional status may be amended.
Acceptance into Program
Each applicant is accepted on an individual basis. Ideal applicants will present a strong overall previous academic record, positive letters of recommendation, professional accomplishment, and an appropriate GRE score. An ideal class will consist of working professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds in for-profit, government or non-profit organizations. Ethnic diversity is a plus. The MPC program will have limited enrollment.
Elective Courses from Other Universities
Related graduate-level courses from other universities may be accepted with permission of the MPC director.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit must be approved by the program director and cannot exceed 12 hours. Transfer classes must be at an appropriate level and fulfill the objectives of the MPC. No courses for which credit was used to fulfill requirements of another degree may be used toward the MPC degree.
Grade Requirements
To earn the MPC degree, candidates must complete all MPC courses with a grade of B- or higher and a grade of C or better in all non-MPC graduate courses. The overall program GPA must be 3.0 or higher. Failure to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, or two consecutive course sessions where a grade lower than C- has been earned, will result in academic probation in accordance with departmental policies.
Graduation Requirements
- 37 credit hours, at least 28 at the 6000-level.
- Grades of B- or better in all MPC courses and grades of C or better in all non-MPC courses.
- Overall GPA of at least 3.0.
- Successful completion of thesis/project.
Time for Degree Completion
MPC students have a maximum of six calendar years to complete their degree requirements, starting from the first semester during which the student has registered and begun taking classes. Students who exceed this requirement may submit a letter of appeal to the MPC director to request that this requirement be waived. Students who fail to enroll in MPC courses for three consecutive semesters must apply for readmission to the program. In order to ensure timely progress through the program, students must consult with an MPC advisor every Fall Semester. Students who, for any reason, do not finish their thesis or project or program of courses within the two-year framework suggested in this program, must pay continuing enrollment and tuition every semester.
