Apply to the Information and Media Ph.D. Program

The application process includes four required steps, outlined below. Please review all steps before beginning your application. 

Explore our Ph.D. faculty and review their research areas. Identify two to three faculty members whose interests align with yours. 

You are encouraged to contact them to introduce yourself, share your research interests, and ask about their current projects. 

Explore Ph.D. Faculty

All applicants must complete the MSU Graduate School application. 

• Application Fee: $75 (your application will not move forward to review until the fee is paid)
• Use major code 6322 when prompted
• After submitting, you will receive access to the Student Application Portal

You are responsible for monitoring your Student Application Portal to ensure all required materials have been received no later than the November 5 deadline. Your application will not move forward to the review process until all required materials are received. 

For step-by-step instructions, please refer to: 

• Domestic Applicants
• International Applicants

After submitting your MSU Graduate School application, you will receive an email with access to the MSU Graduate Application Portal. You must create your account and upload all required materials this portal. 

No hard copies will be accepted.

Important

• You are responsible for completing all required materials in the portal
• You should not use AI to write any of the materials listed below
• We reserve the right to use an AI writing detection tool to evaluate submitted materials

Required Materials

Academic Statement (250-500 words)

• Outline your plans for doctoral student and career goals
• Explain how the Information and Media Ph.D. program will support these goals
• Identify faculty you are interested in working with
• Indicate which unit best fits your interests (Advertising + Public Relations, School of Journalism, or Media and Information)
• You may select more than one unit if applicable

Personal Statement (250-500 words)

• Describe how your background and life experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a doctoral degree

Sole-Authored Writing Sample (max 20 pages, excluding citations)

• Examples include a conference paper, journal article, Master's thesis (methods/literature review), or course project

Resume or CV

• Include all activities since earning your bachelor's degree
• List most recent experiences first
• Include employment, service, education, and any publications or presentations

Three Recommender

• Provide email addresses for three recommenders
• Letters must be submitted through emailed link only

*GRE scores are not required

Name on Application

• Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport
• This will be used for visa processing

English Language Proficiency

Applicants who do not qualify for an automatic waiver must submit proof of English Language Proficiency.

• Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to MSU
• MSU TOEFL code: 1465
• Scores must be no older than 2 years

Accepted Tests and Minimum Scores

TOEFL

• Test taken prior to January 21, 2026
  • Minimum total score: 80
  • No sub score below 19 (reading, listening, speaking)
  • No writing sub score below 22
• Test taken after January 21, 2026
  • Minimum overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum 4 in reading and speaking
  • Minimum 4.5 in listening and writing

IELTS

• Minimum overall score: 6.5
• No sub score below 6.0

Duolingo 

• Minimum score: 110

Waivers

You may qualify for an automatic English Language Proficiency waiver if you meet one of the following:

• Earned a bachelor's degree in the U.S. or another English-speaking country
  • Language of instruction must be English
  • Degree must be a standard 4-year program
  • Majority of credits completed in an English-speaking country
  • Not fully online, experiential, or from a branch campus in a non-English-speaking country
• Earned a bachelor's degree from MSU with the majority of credits completed on campus
• Earned a completed master's degree from a U.S. institution (AAU or non-AAU)

Do NOT Qualify for an Automatic Waiver

• Applicants currently enrolled in a master's program (in progress)
  • This applies to both AAU and non-AAU institutions
  • In-progress degrees do not qualify for an automatic waiver

Additional Notes

• Applicants who are citizens of English-speaking countries are generally not required to submit English Language Proficiency scores
  • The language of instruction must be English
  • Citizenship is required; residence or attending school in an English-speaking country alone does not qualify
• If you have previous English test scores available, you are encouraged to submit them
• Review MSU's International Applicant Information for additional details

When You Apply

Upload unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting institutions attended.

If You Are Admitted

• Request one official transcript from each institution attended to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions
• Transcripts must show courses taken, grades earned, and degree conferral (if completed)
• If the degree is still in progress, submit your most recent records
• After your degree is completed, send your final transcript with clear indication of degree conferral

How to Submit Official Transcripts

U.S. (Domestic) Institutions

• Must be sent electronically directly from the institution
• Send through an approved service (Parchment, Naviance, National Student Clearinghouse, Scoir, Slate)
• Send to: admis@msu.edu
• If your transcript is from MSU, you do not need to submit an official copy
  • Upload an unofficial MSU transcript for review

International Institutions

• Submit official records from all postsecondary institutions attended or attending
  • Includes mark sheets, transcripts, and diplomas/degree certificates
• Documents must be sent directly from the issuing institution
• Documents must be sent in a sealed, official institutional envelope
• If documents are not in English:
  • Include a certified English translation
  • Translation must be completed by:
    • The issuing institution, or
    • A certified translator in the country of study, or
    • An American Translators Association (ATA) certified translator in the U.S.
  • Include a copy of the original-language document
• If your transcript does not show degree conferral
  • You must also submit a copy of the diploma or degree certificate
• If your institution only issues on original document:
  • The institution must copy it, seal it in an official envelope, and sent it

Mailing address for official transcripts, if needed:
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604

Important Notes

• Official documents must be:
  • Sent directly from the issuing institution, or
  • Received in a sealed, unopened institutional envelope
• Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" will not be accepted as official
• Documents will not be returned. Do not send your only copies
• It is your responsibility to ensure all official transcripts are received
• Review MSU's International Transcript Requirements for country-specific details

To ensure full consideration, all required materials must be received by the appropriate offices by the application deadline.

Monitoring Your Application

• Check your status through the Student Application Portal
• You are responsible for ensuring all required materials have been received

Admission Decisions

• Admission decisions are made by the graduate program
• Final approval is required by the Office of Admissions

Questions

For questions about the Information and Media Ph.D. program, contact: 

Nicole Bond
Academic Programs Coordinator
bondnic@msu.edu