cfpca - College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts

Undergraduate Students
Admission requirements are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the university.

Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or telephone (313) 577-3577 or at the Welcome Center, 42 W. Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202


Graduate Students – Master of Arts
Admission is competitive and is based on each student’s entire academic record. MA applicants are admitted twice a year, for the fall semester and the spring semester. The deadline date for application and receipt of transcripts for the fall semester is June 1; for the spring semester it is Feb. 1.

For specific instructions on how to apply to the university as a graduate student, visit the Office of Graduate Admissions.

In addition to the instructions from the Office of Graduate Admissions, the following materials should be sent directly to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Communication
585 Manoogian Hall
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48201

• A one page statement describing your academic interest and profession goals
• A recent sample of your academic writing, such as a research paper. Typically the writing sample ranges from 5-20 pages of text.

Financial Support:
Graduate financial support for master’s students at WSU is VERY LIMITED.

• Full-time and part-time graduate professional scholarships are available. Visit The Graduate School Web site for more information.
• Loans or college work study may be available for graduate students. Visit the Office of Financial Aid or call (313) 577-3378 for more information.

Graduate Students – Doctor of Philosophy

Complete guidelines for application to the doctor of philosophy (PhD) program can be found in the PhD Handbook. (ADD PDF)

Doctoral students are only admitted for the fall semester. Applications are due by Feb. 1.  Applicants must ensure that all materials are received in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the February 1st deadline date.  This includes GRE scores and transcripts from other institutions.  Admission is competitive and is based on each applicant’s entire academic record.

The following should be sent directly to:

The Office of Graduate Admissions
Fourth Floor, Welcome Center
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202

• A completed Application for Graduate Admission. The form can be downloaded from The Graduate School Web site. Attach a check for $50 payable to “Wayne State University”.  (Applications can also be completed online through the website)
• Official transcripts from every college or university previously attended. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the degree granting institution to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. (We recommend that you send an unofficial copy of your scores to us as soon as you receive them, in addition to ordering an official copy sent). Score must be within 5 years of the date of proposed admission.
• International students are also required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s scholarly potential
• A statement of academic interest and professional goal (1-2 pages)
• A sample of written scholarship, such as a research paper, published manuscript or book chapter
• A resume or vita is recommended but not required

Financial Aid:

• Loans or Federal College Work Study
  Information is available from the Office of Financial Aid 
• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
  Teaching assistantships are awarded to students who have demonstrated that they have potential for effectively teaching communication classes at the university level. Assistantships carry a stipend, health insurance coverage, dental insurance and a tuition waver.
• Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
  Selected individuals work with the debate and forensics program or with University Television. Research assistantships are awarded to students who have prior experience in and a demonstrated commitment to intercollegiate debate and forensic competition or media production. Assistantships carry a stipend, health insurance coverage, dental insurance, and a tuition waver.
• Thomas C. Rumble University Graduate Fellowships
  Rumble Fellowship is the most prestigious award available from the graduate school. For the first year, the student receives a housing allowance as well as the same stipend, tuition waver, health insurance coverage, and dental insurance as a graduate assistant, but without teaching or other duties. Upon expiration of the fellowship, the recipient is awarded a graduate assistantship as described above.
• Full-time and Part-time Graduate Professional Scholarships
  Information about these scholarships is available at The Graduate School Web site,
• King-Chavez-Parks Minority Fellowships
  Information about the minority fellowships program is available from The Graduate School Web site or call (313) 577-2170.

Applications for the GTA and GRA are available from the Department of Communication office or on the PhD program webpage at www.comm.wayne.edu/phd.php.  The form is described as a Graduate Assistantship application.  This form can be submitted with the application packet or mailed directly to the Department of Communication, 585 Manoogian Hall, Detroit, MI  48201.