Why Communication at Portland State?
Join a diverse community at Portland State University, where bike-commuting, food-carts and creative cultures meet. Our downtown campus features faculty who are experts in media and technology, politics, health and science, language and conversation, and persuasion and strategic communication.
"Let knowledge serve the city" by using your newfound communication and research skills to improve your community. Portland State offers Masters students competitive positions as Graduate Teaching Assistants; take advantage of the opportunity to have your tuition paid by the university.
Our Program
Graduate students can earn a Master of Science degree in Communication. Current PSU undergraduates may also be eligible for our accelerated Bachelors plus Masters program. To learn more about the MS degree requirements, please visit the Program Details page.
To read an interview with the Graduate Program Director, click here.
How to Apply
To apply to the Communication Graduate Program, visit the Graduate Admissions Application Portal. You may apply for both admission to the program and for a paid position as a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at the same time. Select the Communication MS program.
Application Deadlines
The Department of Communication has a rolling admissions process, which means we begin reviewing applications for graduate admissions on February 1st and continue to accept applications through May 31st. Please keep in mind that applicants who turn in their materials early have a better chance of being selected for paid Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA); to be considered as a GTA, apply by March 31st. All new students begin classes the following Fall quarter.
Online Application System
Please prepare the following documents to submit:
- Statement of purpose: Please write a brief essay that addresses the following matters: What do you intend to study in our program? How have your previous educational and/or work experiences prepared you for our program? How will our program help you achieve your future goals?
- Writing sample: Submit at least one writing sample that illustrates your craft. Choose something that illuminates your skills: a college paper or a recent document from your professional career. You may submit more than one writing sample if you choose.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation: The online application system will allow you to ask 3 individuals to send us letters on your behalf. We prefer hearing from professors and academics, and, if you have been away from the classroom, ask your supervisor or mentor. Recommenders should not be family or friends. We hope to hear from those who can speak to your ability to succeed in graduate studies. Recommenders will be asked to write a letter addressing the following qualities:
- Initiative
- Logical reasoning ability
- Writing and speaking skills
- Emotional maturity
- Intellectual motivation
- Ability to accept and give criticism
If you are applying for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, please be sure to let your recommenders know that you are applying and ask them to discuss in their recommendation your ability to work in a team and your willingness to help undergraduate students.
- Transcripts: For the online graduate application, you will be required to upload scanned copies of your transcripts from from any institution where a bachelor’s degree was awarded, and any institution where graduate-level credits were completed. If admitted, you will then be required to submit true official transcripts from all colleges or universities as the last step.
Please also note that Portland State University charges a fee for graduate applications. The fee is waived for current PSU students.
Admission Requirements
All students admitted to the PSU Communication Graduate Program must meet the PSU minimum admissions requirements. Applicants are not required to hold an undergraduate degree in Communication. We love to see a wide range on undergraduate backgrounds and experiences in our student cohorts.
Request Information
To get in touch or learn more about the department, send us an email at commgradinfo@pdx.edu or submit this form and specify Communication, MS: Graduate Program Inquiry. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Graduate Program Director at commgradinfo@pdx.edu.