Answer: Yes – In fact, the majority of online master’s in communication programs do not include the submission of GRE scores as an admissions requirement. There are some, however, that do require students to submit standardized test scores as part of the application process. These types of programs fall into two categories: those that require GRE scores for all applicants, and those that require GRE scores on a conditional basis, depending on an applicant’s educational background or professional history.

The admission requirements for an online master’s in communication program vary by school and program. Typically, prospective students must complete an admission application and submit it along with a required application fee. Many programs also ask for official undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts, if applicable), as well as have a particular GPA threshold applicants must meet (for example, a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or 3.0). A personal statement essay is often required in addition to these materials, and some programs ask for a resume as well. In certain cases, students may need to take part in a phone or Skype interview with program faculty, or even record and submit a video interview answering specific questions administered by the program.

It is important to note that the majority of online master’s in communication programs have a selective admission policy. This means that even if a student meets the required criteria for admission, they are not guaranteed to be accepted into the program. For example, a program may require an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA of students who are admitted to the program may actually be higher, like 3.3 or 3.5.

Currently, MastersinCommunications.com lists a total of 131 online master’s in communication programs offered by colleges and universities in the United States in its proprietary and comprehensive database. GRE requirements for those programs are as follows:

• Total online programs: 131
• Online programs that do not require the GRE: 104
• Online programs that require the GRE: 8
• Online programs that required GRE scores on a conditional basis: 19

Prospective students should be sure to carefully review a program’s policy regarding GRE scores before applying, to see if they are not required, required for all applicants, or only required on a conditional basis. For programs that require the GRE, students typically must have taken the exam within a specific timeframe, often within the last five years, in order for their scores to be accepted. In addition, admissions criteria can and do change over time, so students should check with an admissions advisor or program director at any prospective program before applying to get the most up-to-date requirements.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs with No GRE Required

As noted above, there are currently 104 programs that do not require the GRE for admission. However, some of these may allow students who have taken the exam and scored well to submit their scores to be considered along with their other application materials. This could potentially improve a student’s chances of being accepted, especially if the program is highly selective or the student’s application is weaker in some areas. Again, most schools require that the GRE be taken within a specific timeframe, typically within the last five years, in order to be considered as part of a student’s application.

Online Master’s in Communication Programs that Require the GRE on a Conditional Basis

Online programs that require the GRE on a conditional basis, or allow students to waive the GRE requirement, generally handle this in one of three ways:

• Based on a student’s undergraduate GPA
• Based on professional work experience
• Based on previous academic achievement

In some cases, schools base the requirement for GRE scores on an applicant’s undergraduate GPA. For these programs, students are only required to submit test scores if their GPA fails to meet a certain minimum threshold, which is typically 3.0 (although, for a few schools, it is as low as 2.5). If a student does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for admission, a satisfactory GRE score may be used for conditional acceptance. There are also programs that require the GRE, but will waive the requirement if a student’s GPA exceeds the minimum required for the program. For example, if a program requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in addition to GRE scores, they may waive the GRE requirement if an applicant’s GPA is above 3.5. The typical GPA range for this type of waiver is 3.3 to 3.7, depending on the program.

Other programs may base the requirement for GRE scores on professional accomplishment, allowing applicants to apply for a GRE waiver if they have a certain number of years of related work experience. This waiver is not always guaranteed, though, and schools typically require students to submit a resume and personal statement in order to be considered. The required amount of professional experience varies by program, with some requiring as few as two years of work in a related field. However, most of these programs require a minimum of five to six years of related professional experience to waive the GRE requirement.

The third condition some programs use to determine the requirement for GRE scores is academic achievement. In these cases, students who have already earned a master’s degree in another field may be exempt from having to take the GRE. Some programs simply do not require GRE scores from applicants with a master’s degree, while others may require them to submit a request for a GRE waiver.

GRE Testing Requirements by Online Master’s in Communication Program

The following table contains the GRE requirements for all online master’s in communication programs listed on the site. To learn more about each program, including online instruction methods, example courses, admission requirements, program start dates, tuition costs, and more, click on the program name.