Application and Admission

Admission Requirements

Admission is based primarily on your undergraduate record, references, and results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants for the Marketing Communications course of study must have a minimum of two years of full-time professional employment in marketing communications or media-related fields.

Application Deadlines

You may enter the Marketing Communications Graduate Program in any semester. The early application deadline for summer and fall is February 1st, but late applications will be accepted for the fall until July 1st; the application deadline for spring is November 1st.  Applications after these deadlines may be considered based on qualifications.

Application Materials Checklist

Applications are considered after these items have been submitted.

Send the following to:
The University of Kansas
Graduate Applications Processing Center
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard
Room 313, Strong Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045-7535

  • A completed Application. The form is available online at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/kugrad/. This form includes the required written, one-page statement of the applicant’s academic and professional objectives. Applications may be submitted in hard copy by mail or online.
  • A non-refundable Application Fee payable to the University of Kansas, $55 (domestic, degree-seeking paper application)/$45 (domestic, degree-seeking online application)/$30 (non-degree-seeking, paper and online application). If you apply online, you will have the opportunity to pay your application fee online.

Send the following to:
The University of Kansas Edwards Campus
Marketing Communications Graduate Program
12600 Quivira Road, Suite 117A
Overland Park, KS 66213
MarComm@ku.edu  

  • Graduate Records Examination (GRE) Scores. If you have already taken the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), you can request that we substitute those scores for the GRE. The GRE (or GMAT) must have been taken within the last five years. For more information, visit http://www.gre.com/. The GRE code for KU is 6871 and the Major Code is 4503.
  • Official Transcripts of all college and university work. If you received your undergraduate degree from KU, you can order your transcript electronically. For more information, visit: http://www.registrar.ku.edu/~registr/transcript/overview.shtml#electronic
  • A Current Resume.
  • Three samples of professional work that reflect your years of experience.
  • Three Letters of Reference from persons familiar with your abilities and meeting these guidelines:  
    • It is preferred that no two letters are from people at the same company.
    • At least one reference must be an academic reference. (This requirement may be waived upon request for applicants who have been out of school for several years).
    • At least one reference should be from a current or former supervisor.
    • Only one reference may be from a personal acquaintance.
    • A Letter of Recommendation Form is required.

Note: We accept applications from international students who are here on a work visa and qualify to attend school on a part-time basis. International students whose native language is not English also must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination scores or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination scores.  For information visit either of these websites, www.ets.org/toefl/ or http://www.ielts.org/.  International students must also submit proof that they have the financial resources to cover annual expenses, by submitting an official financial statement. Required information is listed on the International Application.  More information for International Students: J-School Information Letter