Application Process

The master’s program priority application deadline is Jan. 15. 

Review of applications generally begins in mid-January and decisions will be made approximately two weeks after an application becomes complete. We will continue to review applications received or completed after our deadline on a space-available basis.

Completed online application  

$45 application fee 

A résumé describing your employment history, academic honors, scholastic recognition, publications, leadership roles and/or other academic, professional and community activities. 

A personal statement, written entirely by you with no outside assistance, detailing why you wish to study for the degree you have chosen. Describe any personal experiences or achievements related to the selected degree program, your career goals, why you chose the Newhouse School and how you expect your chosen degree program to help you achieve those goals (approximately 500 words).

If you are also applying for the Sports Media and Communications Track, please use the personal statement to elaborate on why you wish to be considered.

Transcripts from any post-secondary institution in which you earned or will earn a degree. 

The GRE is optional.

Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score for international applicants. If those tests are not available to you, we will also accept the Duolingo English Test.

Two letters of recommendation, preferably at least one from an academic reference.

Online video interview submitted via Kira Talent. You will receive an invitation link a few days after you submit your application. Each interview includes four to six questions and could be a combination of video questions/answers and written questions/answers. You will have a chance to answer practice questions but the actual interview questions will not be available until you begin the interview. No prior preparation is necessary.

In your statement, please describe any personal and professional experiences or achievements (including any international exposure) related to your interest in the public diplomacy and global communications program, your motivation for applying to this program as it relates to your specific career goals, and how you expect this degree to aid you in achieving those goals.

You must submit three writing samples (written entirely by you with no outside assistance) about arts or culture (e.g., architecture, design, film, music, popular culture, television, fashion, theater, dance, visual arts). The examples may be short and may be published or unpublished. The writing samples may take any of the following forms: reportage, critical review, analysis, response paper, essay, memoir, profile or news article. The samples should demonstrate your knowledge of the subject matter and your writing ability. Also, please indicate your primary discipline concentration at the top of your personal essay alongside your name.

Candidates should submit at least samples of their writing. News or sports stories written for broadcast, online or print media are preferred, but academic writing samples are also welcome.

A portfolio is required. Whether you are interested in still-based photography, video/cinematography or graphic design, please send the URL (web address) of your portfolio to Ken Harper, kharpe01@syr.edu. If you do not have a portfolio online, you can send a link to your work on social media or in any cloud-based application. If you are new to the field and do not have any work, please send a letter explaining your situation.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio of your specific storytelling ability and/or potential. Portfolios should contain two or three samples of work that demonstrate your storytelling interests, objectives, abilities and potential—be it screenplays, white papers, short films, books, TV shows or segments, articles, blogs, business plans, documentaries or webisodes.

If you are submitting a portfolio it should contain the following:

• A brief synopsis of each sample
• A brief explanation of your contribution to each sample. Material done in collaboration with others is acceptable provided you were a major contributor, and you explain in detail the exact nature of your contribution
• Online link to the sample (please check that links work)

Applicants to more than one program at Newhouse or Syracuse University must submit two separate application forms, pay two application fees and provide two distinct personal statements. Other materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, can be duplicated. Students may not complete more than one Newhouse master’s program at the same time. If you are admitted to more than one Newhouse program, you must choose only one to pursue during your graduate term. You do, however, have the option of pursuing dual or joint master’s degrees from Newhouse and another Syracuse University school, college or program.

Students currently enrolled in a graduate program at Syracuse must fill out a Graduate Enrollment Internal Admission Application instead of the regular application. This form should be obtained from your current advisor or program office and signed by your current department before submitting it to the Office of Graduate Programs, nhmasters@syr.edu, 330 Newhouse 2. In addition, you must submit a personal statement, résumé, two letters of recommendation (at least one from a faculty member in your current program) and copies of transcripts from your original application to SU. The application deadline is the same for internal applicants, but an application fee is not required.

Enrollment Management Processing Center
Syracuse University
804 University Ave., Suite 201
Syracuse, NY 13244

The online master’s in communications program offers four start dates per year with differing application deadlines. For more information about these deadlines, please visit the admissions requirements page.

The online master’s in communications management offers four start dates per year with differing application deadlines. For more information about these deadlines, please visit the admissions requirements page.

The Ph.D. program application deadline is Jan. 15.  Apply online.

Visit the Newhouse mass communications application page for specific application information.

An applicant to a graduate program at Syracuse University must provide official documentation of having earned at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from another country before enrolling. Some programs require a master’s degree, which must be officially documented before enrollment as well. International applicants must have graduated from colleges or universities that are recognized by the national educational authorities of their home countries.

View details about U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalents>>

We require all applicants whose first language is not English to adequately demonstrate English competency as a part of the application process. Applicants from countries other than Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom must submit a score from an approved English language test. Applicants who have studied for at least one year in a higher education institution in one of those countries or the United States are exempt from this requirement.

Students may demonstrate competency by submitting scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) is required for admission; the average TOEFL score for admitted international students is 104 (iBT). A minimum IELTS overall band score of 7.0 is required. We do not have specific requirements for the section scores. Because our graduate programs require so much writing—much of it under deadline pressure—we have found that students who cannot meet these minimum requirements are not able to successfully complete graduate studies at the Newhouse School. If you do not meet minimum required scores, we recommend that you not apply for admission.

TOEFL scores can be submitted using Syracuse University institution code 2823. We do not use department codes.

IELTS scores should be submitted using this E-download Account Name: Syracuse University-Graduate Admissions. Syracuse only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center. If neither the TOEFL or IELTS is available to you, then we will accept Duolingo English Test results. A minimum of 120 is required.

Scores must be officially reported to Syracuse University by the application deadline.

If you would like to gain additional English language skills prior to enrolling in a program at Newhouse, Syracuse University’s English Language Institute can help. The institute specializes in helping international students improve their written and spoken English language skills in order to be successful in U.S. graduate classes. Six-week and full semester programs are offered; they cannot be completed concurrently with a Newhouse graduate program. 

The U.S. government requires international students to demonstrate sufficient funding for at least the first year of graduate study.

View the University’s funding requirements>>

As an international student, you may take an unpaid internship (either for credit or simply for the experience) once you are enrolled in a Newhouse program. Paid internships are not permitted until you have been a U.S. resident for at least nine months. After completion of your degree, you may apply for continued practical training in the United States for one year past your degree completion date. Contact Syracuse University’s Center for International Services for more information.