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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About the Graduate Program

How do I apply?
What is due, when?
Are assistantships available?
What forms go where?
What are the benefits of an assistantship?
What might I be doing for an assistantship?
Do I really need to take the GRE?
What score is needed?
Are there other requirements?
What is a temporary advisor and how do I get one?
What is the completion time for the MA degree?
What are other requirements for the degree?

How do I apply?
Apply online at www.grad.niu.edu.

What is due, when?
Consult the Graduate Catalog for application deadlines. http://catalog.niu.edu/

Generally, remember when assistantship applications are due (end of February) and when registration for classes begins (i.e., around April 1 for Summer/Fall) and use those that fit your circumstances for a deadline.

Registration for classes is ongoing, but some classes fill quickly

Are assistantships available?
Assistantships are available on a competitive basis. The department routinely has 32 students on assistantship

Assistantship applications should be received by the department by the end of February. Please also have your admission paperwork and transcripts/letters of recommendation submitted to the Graduate School at this time.

Assistantships are typically only offered in the Fall, for both semesters.

What forms go where?
Forms for COMS assistantships go to:

In person:
Reavis 107, COMS Graduate Office Support Specialist

Mailed:
Department of Communication
210 Watson
Graduate Office Support Specialist
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115

What are the benefits of an assistantship?
When you have an assistantship:
You are working for the University.
You get a full tuition waiver, stipend, and experience valuable in the job market.

What might I be doing for an assistantship?
Your assistantship may be in the areas of:

Media Production/Video Production Assistance
Computer Lab Assistance
Teaching COMS 100
Forensics Assistance
Assistance with high enrollment undergraduate classes
Research assistance

Do I really need to take the GRE?
The GRE is required

What score is needed?
There is no minimum score: however, aim for 500+ on both Verbal and Quantitative.

Are there other requirements?
Many factors go into your acceptance, such as a high undergraduate GPA from a good university as well as good academic letters of recommendation.

For international students the TOEFL is required as is the Test of Spoken English.

What is a temporary advisor and how do I get one?
A Temporary Advisor is assigned to you at the time you are admitted to the department.

The Graduate Director (Dr. Kathleen Valde kvalde@niu.edu ) will also answer questions that you have.

Your Temporary Advisor does not necessarily become your Permanent Advisor. You decide during your course of study who you would like to ask to become your committee chair and the two of you discuss your research/thesis/scholarly paper and the classes that you have had with them.

What is the completion time for the MA degree?
It is not recommended for students to graduate in fewer than four semesters. It is possible to do so, but it requires an enormous commitment of time that many students find intimidating.

What are other requirements for the degree?
As of 2007, 33 credit hours are required to graduate with an MA in COMS. Check with your advisor to see when and how often courses are offered.

It is recommended that you take COMS 591 in your first semester. It teaches you about the history of communication, different research methods, and the foundation of the discipline.

You must take an elective class in three of the four areas of concentration: Media, Rhetoric, Communication Theory, and Journalism.

If you’re a TA, you have to take COMS 630 your first semester.

With advisor approval, you may elect a maximum of 12 semester hours in allied studies in other departments.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Graduate Program