Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in Advertising and the Master of Arts in Public Relations programs admit only a limited number of highly-qualified applicants to each M.A. class. In order to facilitate course sequencing and planning, applicants are encouraged to begin studies during Fall or Spring semesters. Summer admission is only recommended if collateral courses or other preparatory activities are required. 

Prospective students must submit a Graduate School application; official transcripts from all colleges attended (applicants must have completed the minimum of a 4 year bachelors program); official GRE test scores on the General Test (we like to see scores with a minimum in the 50th percentile); TOEFL test scores for international students (The department requires a minimum of 100 IBT with no subscores below 22. Reported scores must be no older than 2 years; and we do not accept the IELTS in place of the TOEFL.); three letters of recommendation; a personal statement and an academic statement of goals for graduate study and professional career.

Admission is determined by an evaluation of the complete application materials. Students with grade-point averages below 3.25 in the last two years of their undergraduate work must present evidence of special merit through professional experience or extracurricular activities. 

An applicant's file cannot be evaluated until all materials have arrived (this includes financial proof forms for International applicants). The deadline for receipt of application and all materials is February 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. 

To apply to our program please follow the following steps:

1.  Complete the Graduate School Application (online interactive application). The fee is $50 and can be paid with credit card, check (US Funds), or money order.

2.  Go to the college's Graduate Information Management System (GIMS) website, https://www.gims.msu.edu/gims/cas/apply/welcome.do and create an account.  This system will allow you to submit the following materials online:

Three letters of recommendation (Note: An email will be sent out to your recommenders automatically once you list them in your GIMS profile, providing them the information on where to go to submit their letters electronically. So please be sure to list accurate information.)

Your file can not be considered complete without financial proof documents and avadavat of support.  The Department is unable to make a recommendation on admission if financial proof forms are not provided.

The University does not require original copies, so you may upload your forms onto GIMS as a PDF attachment.

3.  Send the following materials to the Rachel Iseler, Academic Programs Coordinator, 404 Wilson Road, Room 425, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824:

One copy of official transcripts of all college work.

4.  Report the following directly to the Office of Admissions

The department requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100, with no subscores below 22.

Reported scores must be no older than 2 years.

The department does not accept the IELTS in place of the TOEFL.

International students should be aware that in addition to your TOEFL score meeting our minimum standards, we require that all admitted International students take the English Language test provided by the University upon arrival to MSU.  International students are required to take this test prior to enrolling for courses and placement into courses will be done so according to the test results.  If you for some reason you do not pass the test, you will be required to take a semester of English Language courses at your expense, and may not be able to enroll for any additional academic courses.  Once you have successfully completed the English Language courses you will be removed from provisional to regular status.  For more information about the ELC test you may visit their website at www.elc.msu.edu. For up-to-date information on tuition and fees please go to http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/TuitionCalculator.aspx.

Please note that the department will only accept hard copies of official transcripts and statements of financial proof (for International students). All other materials should be reported electronically through GIMS or reported via ETS to the University.  Supporting materials sent as a hard copy that should be submitted electronically in GIMS will not be accepted by the department.

Graduate assistantships and financial aid awards will be based on merit.