Application Process

Students may begin taking Accelerated courses when they are a senior by hours and have completed or are in the process of completing their final BA hours. Applicants should indicate they would like to be considered for the program during their junior year. 

The Accelerated Degree Program in Communication uses a two-step application process. Typically, in their junior year, students apply to the Accelerated Degree Program by February 1. Successful applicants then begin their graduate coursework in the fall or spring semester of their senior year. In the last semester of their senior year, students in the Accelerated Degree Program must apply for admission to the Graduate School. That is, students must be enrolled in the Graduate School to complete their M.A.

Please note:  The GRE is not required for the Accelerated Program.

Junior Year - Apply for Admission to the Accelerated Program

Eligible students submit the Accelerated Program Application Form by February 1 of their junior year (for Fall entry during senior year). Some students may also be able to submit the form October 1 of their Senior year (for Spring entry during senior year). Please discuss this with the GPD. 

In addition to the Application Form, applicants must submit the following application materials to the GPD’s email address (A_Barrett@Baylor.edu):

• Two academic letters of reference
  • Please use the specific letter of recommendation form provided by the Graduate Program Director. You can email the GPD to receive the form.
  • Letters must be sent directly to the GPD from the recommender.
• Personal statement (no more than 750 words)
  • Address questions regarding why you are interested in a MA degree in communication, what you plan to do with such a degree, what you would like to study while in the program and what faculty you would like to work underneath.
• Writing sample
  • Please submit an academic writing sample in which you cite academic journals, books, or other credible sources. This writing sample should be reflective of your scholarly writing abilities (e.g., synthesis of research; ability to analyze and evaluate concepts; argumentation)

Senior Year

Students in the Accelerated Degree Program must apply for formal admission to the Baylor Graduate School during their senior year.

Students must submit their same application materials to the Baylor Graduate School’s online application portal. 

• Students do not need to change the application materials that they submitted the previous year to the Communication GPD. They can use/resubmit these materials in their original state. 
• Since you are already have a Baylor ID, please click the “Returning Users” log in to complete the online application – please do NOT create a new account.

During their senior year, students must complete the following to continue in the Accelerated Degree Program in Communication:

• Earn a B or higher in each graduate course taken toward the completion of their master’s degree in communication.
• Be in good standing with the graduate faculty