Answer: The admission requirements for an online master’s in communication vary by program; however, most include a minimum GPA threshold applicants must meet in order to be considered. This generally ranges from a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to a minimum GPA of 3.0, either cumulatively or during a certain portion of the applicant’s degree program (for instance, the last 60 credit hours). Some online master’s in communication programs have no minimum GPA requirement, and others offer conditional admittance (also referred to as provisional or probational admission) for students who fall below the suggested GPA threshold. Students should note that the average GPA of those accepted into a program may be higher than the minimum GPA required to apply. As always, prospective students should check with a program representative if they have any questions regarding GPA requirements or other admission criteria.

The majority of online master’s degree programs in communication and its various specializations offered by schools in the U.S. include a minimum GPA requirement as part of their admission criteria. In most cases, this is between a 2.5 and a 3.0, meaning students must meet or exceed that number in order to be considered for admission. If a program has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75, for instance, students would need a GPA of 2.75 or higher to apply. Depending on the program, this might mean an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75, or just a 2.75 in a particular portion of their undergraduate program (such as, the last two years, last 60 credit hours, or in communication-related courses). There are also some programs that do not have a minimum GPA requirement. While this means students can apply regardless of their undergraduate GPA, they should be aware that admissions committees may still take an applicant’s GPA into consideration when deciding who to admit into the program.

It is important to note that most online master’s in communication programs have a selective admission policy. This means that even if an applicant meets or exceeds the admissions criteria (such as the minimum GPA requirement), they still might not be accepted into the program. Often, the average GPA of those admitted is actually higher than the minimum GPA needed to apply. For example, a program may require applicants to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for admission; however, the actual average GPA of those admitted may be around 3.3 or 3.5. This largely depends on the size of the program and how competitive the admissions process is.

Often, online master’s degree programs in communication evaluate applicants holistically, looking at their entire application when deciding who would be the best fit for admission. In certain cases, this may mean someone who does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for a program might still be considered based on their other qualifications (for example, significant work experience). This is completely dependent on the school and its particular admission policies. If a student thinks they may be lacking in certain aspects of their application (such as their GPA) and is worried they might not meet the minimum qualifications for admission, they should reach out to an admission advisor or program director to discuss their eligibility. In situations like these, an applicant may be asked to include an explanation for their lower GPA in their personal statement.

Some online master’s in communication programs may offer applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements admittance on a provisional or conditional basis. In these situations, students typically must maintain a certain GPA in their graduate courses in order to eventually gain full admission. Students also generally still need to meet a minimum GPA threshold to be considered for provisional admission. For example, if the program has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 for full admission, it might offer students with undergraduate GPAs of 2.5 or higher the opportunity to enroll on a conditional basis. Programs with provisional admission policies do not always include this information on their website. Therefore, students who do not meet the GPA requirements for full admittance should check a school’s graduate catalog or contact the admissions office to see if provisional admission is an option.

GPA Requirements for Online Master’s in Communication Programs

The table below includes every online master’s in communication program currently listed on MastersinCommunications.com along with their GPA requirements for full admission. To learn more about a certain program, including a detailed breakdown of its admission criteria, click on the program name.