To be considered for admission to the graduate program in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication (SJMC), the following criteria must be met:

Degrees

A student seeking admission into a graduate program of the University must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution or, in the case of foreign students, an institution recognized as an institution of higher learning.

Minimum GPA

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 earned during the junior and senior undergraduate years.

Entrance Examination

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission into all programs taught in English. In some cases, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is accepted upon the approval of the graduate coordinator. The minimum score for admission consideration on the GRE is at least 1000 total (verbal and math combined), with a minimum of 500 on the verbal portion.

Students applying to the Spanish-language journalism master's program must take the PAEG, which is the Spanish-language equivalent of the GRE. Minimum passing score for the PAEG is 525, the equivalent of the 1000-level GRE score.
The appropriate GRE, GMAT or PAEG test must be taken within five years before the term of application. Scores within ten years may be accepted for applicants who previously earned a graduate level degree from an accredited institution.

TOEFL (Foreign Students Only)

All candidates whose undergraduate education was taken in a language other than English must present a minimum score of 550 on the written exam or a minimum score of 213 on the computer based or a minimum score of 79 on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Candidates for the Spanish-language journalism master's program must have a minimum TOEFL score of at least 500 on the written exam or a minimum score of 173 on the computer based or a minimum score of 61 on the internet based test. Candidates who have passed a TOEFL more than two years before they apply for admission to the program have to repeat the test and achieve the required score. Candidates for the Spanish-language journalism master’s program who have graduated from a U.S. accredited institution or one of the following universities in Puerto Rico do not have to take the TOEFL: University of Puerto Rico, University of the Sacred Heart, and the Interamerican University.

Essay

All applicants must submit the appropriate 500-750 word essay for the following programs:
ICAP Essay (500-750 words in length): What do you believe to be the purpose of integrated marketing communications, and what challenges does it pose for the manager?

Spanish Journalism Essay (500-750 words in length): ¿Por qué desea ser periodista? Why do you want to be a journalist?

Student Media Advising Essay (500-750 words in length): Discuss the role of a free press in America as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Relate it to both the professional press and the student press.

Resume

All applicants must submit a professional resume.

Admissions Exceptions

A limited number of admissions exceptions are available for students who do not meet these minimum requirements. A student whose application is denied for a graduate program is allowed to appeal that decision. Such applicants may request reconsideration by written petition and submission of an appeal packet to the SJMC Student Services Office within 30 days of the date of denial. Applicants who are not admissible because of entrance exam scores must attempt the appropriate test at least twice before the committee will consider the appeal. The appeal will then be forwarded to the department chair or his/her designee and later presented to the SJMC Graduate Committee for final action. The committee generally meets once a semester. Applicants for appeal will receive a written response after said meeting.

Special Students

Non-degree-seeking (special students) and/or affiliated students include students enrolling prior to completing the requirements for admission as a regular degree-seeking student. Enrollment as a non-degree-seeking student does not imply a right for future admission as a regular degree-seeking student. A maximum of six graduate-level credit hours earned as a non-degree-seeking student may normally be counted toward a degree if a student applies for and is admitted to the degree program. A grade of “B” or higher must be earned from these courses in order to be used toward a degree program. This six-hour limit applies to courses taken at FIU, or up to six hours transferred in from another accredited institution.
Any student who is not fully admitted into one of the SJMC graduate or certificate programs will not be permitted to take courses beyond the six-credit limitation.