About PhD Program,
Students are admitted to the PhD program after having completed an MA degree. Depending on the extent of students’ prior academic work in communication and their rate of progress, the degree can be achieved in three to four years.
According to Graduate School requirements, PhD students must enroll in residence (i.e., as a full-time student) for at least six semesters beyond the BA degree. Two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for an MA degree from another institution; however, at least four semesters of residence credit, two of which must be consecutive in one academic year, must be earned for work taken at CU-Boulder. One semester’s residency is earned by registering as a full-time student during the fall or spring semesters, or during two summer semesters.
Full-time PhD students must carry one of the following semester course loads: a minimum of 5 credit hours of graduate-level course work before passing the comprehensive examination, or a minimum of 5 dissertation hours after passing the comprehensive examination. PhD students are expected to complete all degree requirements within six years from the semester in which they are admitted and begin coursework in the doctoral program.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
- Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s scholastic record.
- Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field. Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average.
- Applicants to programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Science must have a 3.00 (3.00=B) undergraduate grade point average. Note: applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 grade point average.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The majority of graduate student funding is awarded through the departments. The main sources of student support are usually in the form of Graduate Students Assistantships (Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Graduate Assistants, and Graduate Part-Time Instructors), which along with a monthly salary, include fee remission, dental insurance, and subsidized health insurance.
- Office of Financial Aidhas information regarding loans and work-study.
- Students applying for financial aid should submit the graduate version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)as soon as possible after October 1. You must be enrolled in at least three semester hours to be eligible to receive federal or state financial aid or to be eligible for a deferment on any of your federal loans.
- ROTC and US Military veterans should contact the Office of Veteran Servicesto determine how their GI benefits will be coordinated with their financial aid.
Application Requirement,
Students seeking admission to a CU Boulder master’s or doctoral program apply directly to the appropriate department. An applicant for admission must present complete application materials, including:
- The graduate application, available online at Graduate School Admissions,
- unofficial transcripts for all academic work completed to date,
- a non-refundable application fee (currently $60 for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants),
- three or four letters of recommendation (please check with your program to obtain the required number of recommendations needed), and
- test scores and other materials as required by specific departments.
A completed application must be submitted by the published deadline for the term for which admission is sought. Most departments have an application deadline that is several months before the start of the desired admission term.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- a non-refundable application fee (currently $60 for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants),
