Admissions, Costs, and Financial Support 

The Ph.D. program is a competitive, interdisciplinary, on-campus program requiring 72 credits, including at least 24 research credits. Admissions is offered for the fall semester only.

Students applying for admission to the Ph.D. program typically have completed a master's degree in communication, information science, library studies, media studies, or another related academic or professional field. Highly qualified students from strong programs or research backgrounds without a master's degree may also apply in special circumstances.

We also encourage applicants to reach out to faculty in the Ph.D. program to express interest in working with them, learn more about their program of research, and gain insights into the program.

Please note that our entire Ph.D. program is in person only. We do not offer online courses or components at the Ph.D. level.

Before You Apply

As part of your application, you will need to provide the following items:

Personal Statement: Relate your experience and research interests to the Ph.D. program (3-4 pages is typical).

Writing Sample: Examples of acceptable writing samples include a chapter or portion of your master's thesis, a term paper from a previous class, an academic conference paper or journal publication, a professional work product, etc.

Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV): List your academic degrees, positions, and accomplishments.

Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters should come from faculty members, senior professionals, or industry leaders who know you well in an academic or professional context.

Official Transcripts: 

• We require both graduate and undergraduate transcripts. All official transcripts must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions from your institution. Official transcripts can be sent electronically.
• Transcript Evaluation: Applicants whose studies were undertaken outside the United States must submit an official course-by-course transcript evaluation. We require all transcripts to be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member.            
• A full list of eligible evaluators may be found at the NACES website. Students must submit the NACES Official Evaluation to Rutgers Graduate Admissions along with the required transcripts.

Standardized Test Scores:

Non-native English-speaking applicants must submit at least one of the following test results dated within the past three years.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Duolingo English Test (DET)

Here are the minimum score requirements for admission to the School of Communication and Information:

• Paper-based TOEFL score: 550
• Computer-based TOEFL score: 213
• IBT-internet-based TOEFL: Writing 24, Speaking 24, Reading 22, Listening 19
• IELTS score: bandwidth 8.0
• Duolingo score: 130

NOTE: You are exempt from submitting TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores only if, at the time you submit your application, you have already completed at least three consecutive academic years—at the undergraduate or graduate level—in a program where English was the exclusive language of instruction. Most master's degrees do not qualify for this exemption unless they meet the full three-year requirement.

Application Fee: A $70 non-refundable application fee is required for each graduate application submitted. Rutgers must receive the fee or a fee waiver before your application will be considered complete and ready for review.

Graduate Records Exam (GRE) Scores: Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores are OPTIONAL for all Ph.D. applicants. All applications will be reviewed equally with or without GRE scores. Not submitting GRE scores will not hurt an applicant's chances of admission, nor will submitting GRE scores give applicants an advantage in admissions.