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) and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Each applicant is evaluated holistically based on program admission requirements. Ideal applicants will present a strong overall academic record, positive letters of recommendation, and a record of professional accomplishment. An ideal class will consist of working proessionals with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Applicants will submit:
- Completed application with personal essay
- Current resume
- Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended (transcript must show that the bachelor’s degree has been completed).
- Three letters of academic and/or professional recommendation
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.
Elective Courses from Other Universities
Related graduate-level courses from other universities may be accepted with permission of the MPC program 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 graduate courses with a grade of B- or higher. 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 B- has been earned, will result in academic probation in accordance with departmental policies.
Graduation Requirements
- 33 credit hours, at least 30 at the 6000-level.
- Overall GPA of at least 3.0.
Time for Degree Completion
MPC students must receive approval from the program director to register for more than nine (9) credit hours in a semester.
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 unless a deferment is approved by the program director. In order to ensure timely progress through the program, students must consult with an MPC advisor every Fall Semester. Students on the thesis/project track 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 the semester they defend their thesis or project.
- Program Code: 3066MPC
- CIPC: 090101
Program Learning Outcomes
- Write and edit at a level commensurate with a communication leader or manager in applied communication contexts.
- Present information orally and in visual form at a level commensurate with a communication leader or manager in an applied communication context.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in applied communication contexts.
- Conduct academic or applied research in communication contexts, report findings clearly and accurately, and interpret the meaning of research data.
- Demonstrate knowledge in one or more cognate areas - strategic organizational leadership, interpersonal communication and team building, new media.
