Entry Requirements

The following procedures are required for submitting a graduate application for admission to Radford University for the Strategic Communication MS.

  • Complete and submit Graduate Studies Application for Graduate Admissions form, including official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts. This requirement applies even if an applicant has not yet completed an undergraduate degree.
  • In addition to the reference forms requested by the College of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must provide three recent letters of reference. For current undergraduate students and recent graduates,  two of the three reference letters must be written by a former professor, instructor, or advisor. For working professionals who have graduated more than 3 years, letters from former professors are preferred but not required. Reference letters from supervisors or coworkers are acceptable.  A letter writer may use the criteria on the reference forms as guides, but letters are required. The reference forms are not acceptable substitutes.
  • Write a short essay (typed, double-spaced, and limited to two-three pages in length) addressing the following issues: 
    • a. Upon what past experiences and interests do you base your present decision to apply to this graduate program?
    • b. How does study for the M.S. in this program fit in with your short- and long-term goals and career aspirations.
    • c. Is there any other information, not covered elsewhere in your application, that you would like to share with the program's graduate admissions committee?
  • A recent resume
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must also take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit scores as part of their application materials.

For applicants seeking funding opportunities, additional application materials may be required. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for details.

Application Deadlines

We admit students in both fall and spring semesters.

Admission to the program is on rolling basis. But we highly recommend an applicant who is applying for the fall semester to have his or her application file completed by February 1. An applicant who is applying for admission for the spring semester is recommended to have his or her application file completed by October 15. We do accept applications after the recommended date. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Graduate Coordinator for applications passing the recommended dates. Applicants who seek funding opportunities, such as graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) or graduate assistantships (GA) should apply for the fall semester. It is not likely that funded positions will be available for spring semesters. But applicants who want to start in spring should contact the Graduate Coordinator to seek funding information for specific terms. 

Please note that these deadlines may vary from those required by the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Application Review

Application materials provide a variety of information about an applicant's skills, talents, background, experiences, career goals, motivation, commitment and potential for successful completion of the program.

The Strategic Communication Admissions Committee will view each applicant's admission file as an integrated package.

No single item of information will be used as a sole criterion for any applicant. The application information enables the committee to select a class of entering graduate students who individually and collectively have the potential to make substantial contributions to the professional and intellectual environment of the program, university, and field. Admission is competitive. A packet of the application materials may be requested from the College of Graduate Studies and Research. You may also contact the college by telephone at 540-831-5431.