All applications for graduate study at UAB must be initiated with the UAB Graduate School, not the department.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: August 1
Spring admission: December 1
Summer admission: May 1
Note: Your application is considered complete once you have completed your portion of the application and paid your application fee. You may have outstanding checklist items out of your control (transcripts and letter of recommendation) but those need to be received in a timely fashion.
Application Information
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Application Fee
The application fee for domestic applicants and green card holders is $50 and application fee for international applicants is $60.
Application for admission can be made online through the UAB Graduate School website.
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Application/Admissions Requirements
- Three recommendations. Ideally from professors who know your academic potential, but maybe from someone who has served in a supervisory role.
- GPA requirement: 3.0 (though students with lower G.P.A.’s will be considered to see what other parts of their application show promise of success). Students may always enroll Non-Degree Seeking to mitigate a substandard G.P.A.
- An essay that describes your background and what your objectives in entering our program are.
- Only those students who are applying for a GTA position need take the GRE. All international students are required to take the TOEFL (or equivalent). Institution code – 1856. Applicable for the GRE and TOEFL only.
- CV/Resume
- Official transcripts from each institution where college credit was received to be mailed to:
UAB Graduate School
LHL G03
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
They can also be submitted electronically by choosing University at Alabama Birmingham – Graduate Admissions or using the email
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International Requirements
The Graduate School now monitors English proficiency to make sure applicants meet our minimum scores which are listed below.
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 80
- PTEA: 53
- Financial Affidavit of Support
- Immigration documentation if currently residing in the U.S.
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Application Review Process
Once all your application is complete and all your checklist materials have arrived your application will be reviewed. This review process typically takes up to a week. The Graduate School will be informed of the department’s decision and you should be notified once all your information is verified by them. You may, of course, contact the Graduate Director for updates on the progress of your application.
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Contact information
Jonathan H. Amsbary
Graduate Director
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(205) 934-3878
What Are We Looking For?
The department selects graduate students from among applicants who have:
- Sufficient breadth of undergraduate training within and outside the field of communication and an overall average of 3.0 GPA or better (on a 4.0 scale). Students with major areas other than communication are encouraged to apply but may be asked to take specific undergraduate or graduate courses to provide needed background. Applicants with an overall GPA lower than 3.0 may be accepted on probationary status with the approval of the Department’s Graduate Director and the UAB Graduate School.
- The Department welcomes applications from qualified foreign nations. International students wishing to enroll as graduate students should consult with the UAB Graduate School for a checklist of material and applications needed.
Non-Degree Students
Applicants may enroll as non-degree students with incomplete admissions materials. After completing no more than 12 hours of graduate study, you may be evaluated for admission to the degree program. No one may take more than 12 hours of graduate classes as a non-degree student. For more information contact the graduate program director.
Non-degree students must have the block on their files removed before they can register for any classes. To do this you must contact the instructor of the class you want to take with the following information:
- your Blazer ID
- your student number
- a return e-mail address
- the class you wish to register for
Your instructor will contact you as soon as the block has been removed.
