SPEECH COMMUNICATION & RHETORIC

Application Information

The Graduate Program in Speech Communication & Rhetoric is now accepting applications for the coming 2008- 2009 academic year.

Successful applicants will have a distinguished undergraduate record and may come from a variety of fields, including Rhetoric, Speech Communication, Communication Studies, English, Cultural-Critical Studies, Performance Studies, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree with no fewer than twenty-four (24) semester hours of upper division coursework in a major field. All applicants are required to submit GRE test scores, along with a statement of purpose, writing sample, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

Application Procedure

Applications for admission are composed of two parts. No application will be considered until both parts are received in complete form.

            Part 1: The University of South Carolina Graduate School
           
                        Applicants should submit the following directly to
                        The Graduate School:

                        a. online application;
                        b. at least two letters of recommendation;
                        c. transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions;
                        d. GRE General Test scores

            Part 2: The MA Program in Speech Communication & Rhetoric

                        Applicants should submit the following material directly to the
                        program in Speech Communication & Rhetoric:

                        e. 2-3 page statement of purpose
                        f. academic writing sample (10–20 pages)

                        These materials should be sent to:
           
                                    Director of Graduate Studies
                                    Program in Speech Communication & Rhetoric
                                    Department of English
                                    Humanities Office Building
                                    University of South Carolina
                                    Columbia, SC 29208

Application Deadline
                                   
For those wishing to be considered for fellowships or assistantships, complete applications must be received by January 30. All other applications must be received by April 30.

Fellowships

A limited number of fellowships are available from The Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts. Applicants to this M.A. program are eligible for these fellowships if nominated by the Speech Communication & Rhetoric program and the Department of English. The selection process for nominees begins January 30 with awards announced mid-March.

Assistantships
The Department offers several types of assistantships:

• teaching assistantships,
• editorial assistantships,
• instructional assistantships,
• research assistantships.

Based on information provided in applications completed by January 30, prospective students will automatically be considered for an appropriate assistantship.

All assistantships confer in-state tuition status, as well as a stipend and tuition supplement whose amounts vary with the type of assistantship. Students awarded an assistantship by the Department are expected to:

• carry no incompletes;
• earn no more than one grade below B during their academic career;
• perform assigned duties in a satisfactory manner;
• maintain a GPA of 3.5; and
• make steady progress toward the degree.

Questions and Additional Information

For assistance or additional information about applying to the program, please contact Ms. Lawona Hill (lhill@gwm.sc.edu).

Additional Resources for Applicants

The USC Graduate School

USC Graduate Bulletin