Interested in one of our programs? The first step to admissions is to apply. Also, our department offers several scholarships and graduate assistantships to help you with costs.
How to Apply
If you want to major in communication studies, you’ll need to apply to the university through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions and be accepted to Ball State. Once you’re here, you’ll need to complete our 21-credit set of core classes before you select one of the three concentrations our major offers.
Get Started
Review our admission requirements, dates and deadlines, and instructions. Then complete our online application.
Organizational and Professional Development
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Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships
Our department typically has more than 20 graduate assistantships every year, giving you a chance to work directly with our faculty and students while helping you pay for your education.
Roles and Responsibilities
Graduate assistants typically work in three lab sections of public speaking. The class is structured in a lecture-lab format, with the lecture provided by the director of the course. Each lab section comprises 20 students and involves discussion, activities, and the speeches required in the course. Some graduate students may assist professors in other large-lecture undergraduate classes or with their research as part of the assistantship. Students with a background in competitive forensics may assist our undergraduate debate or speech teams.
How to Apply
After you have been fully admitted to the graduate program in Communication Studies, we will contact you about an assistantship. You will need to provide us with a short application form and a vita or resume. We will then schedule a phone interview with you and the director of graduate studies.
Department Scholarships
Here at Ball State, more than 80 percent of our students are eligible for financial aid in the form of merit- and need-based scholarships, grants, loans, employment, and other supports. On top of the dozens of scholarships our university offers, our department provides several for its own students.
Ball State alumnus and speech teacher Donald P. Knott established the Donald P. Knott Scholarships in 1993 “in gratitude for the many things I achieved at Ball State, to assist other students in achieving their goals.”
Award Amount
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer up to four scholarships annually of $1,000 each.
Criteria
- major in communication studies and sophomore status
- have at least a 3.0 grade point average
- demonstrate contributions to the department or the university
How to Apply
Applications are available every spring. All majors are sent application information.
The Richard G. Nitcavic Diversity Scholarship award was established in 2005 by a dedicated faculty member and former department chair. Communication studies students who represent diverse populations or who have shown a commitment to encouraging the acceptance of differences, are eligible for these scholarships.
Award Amount
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $1,500 each.
Criteria
- major or minor in communication studies and sophomore status
- have at least a 2.7 grade point average
- represent a diverse population or show a commitment to encouraging the acceptance of differences
How to Apply
Applications are available every spring. All majors and minors are sent application information.
These scholarships are for student actively involved in extracurricular activities within the department This award was established in 2005 by a dedicated faculty member and former department chair.
Award Amount
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $1,500 each.
Criteria
- major or minor in communication studies and sophomore status
- actively participate in debate team, speech team, Comm Club, or Lamda Pi Eta
How to Apply
Applications are available every spring. All majors and minors are sent application information.
The junior major with the highest cumulative GPA earns this award, a modest scholarship applied toward senior-year tuition as well as recognition on a plaque.
Award Amount
$500
Criteria
- have junior standing
- major in communication studies
- have the department’s highest cumulative GPA
Paying for Your Education