Skip to main content

Apply for Fall 2026 Today

Submit Your Application by January 15 for Priority Consideration

Upcoming Deadlines

Fall 2026 Deadlines

Round 1: January 15, 2026
Round 2: March 15, 2026
Round 3: May 15, 2026

What You Need To Apply

No two Northwestern MSC students are the same, and the application and admissions process is designed to address these differences.

Resume

Provide a resume that outlines your professional experience, skills, and education history/certification(s). Include any responsibilities or volunteer work you believe is relevant.

Essay

The MS in Communication values varied backgrounds, approaches, and perspectives, understanding them as essential ingredients for true academic excellence. As a Northwestern graduate student, how would you contribute to our dynamic intellectual communities and how will this align with your professional goals? Your answer may draw upon past or present experiences, whether in academic work, extracurricular or community activities, or everyday life.

References

Submit the names and contact details of two individuals who will recommend you to the program, and the MSC will contact them with a form to complete. Recommenders should be familiar with your academic and/or professional work and be able to comment meaningfully on your potential as a graduate student.

Language Test

All international applicants must submit a language proficiency test unless they have completed four years of education at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. MSC accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo scores to meet this requirement. Test results are valid for two years from the test date. Language requirements below: 

  • TOEFL Overall Score: 100+
  • TOEFL Speaking Score: 26+ MSC Program TOEFL Code: 6162
  • IELTS Overall Band Score: 7.5
  • Duolingo Overall Score: 140

Academic Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts for admissions purposes. You will be required to provide official transcripts to enroll.

If you earned your degree outside of the US, you must submit all transcripts to Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES) for a course-by-course verification prior to submitting your application. 

*See below for further details.

* Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org)

After creating an account and entering in all necessary information to order a course-by-course evaluation, you must order an additional report copy to be delivered to the MSC office.  Under the Additional Report Copies page, you should click the Search for Institution button and type “Northwestern”.  A list of programs within Northwestern University that accept ECE evaluations will appear.  Select “Northwestern University-MS Communication”. (Note that another program at the School of Communication will also be listed under a similar address.)  You should see the following text: “Your report copy will be sent to this institution electronically.”  Click Continue, and please make sure to follow all other necessary steps to completely submit your order.  You should receive an ECE reference number to keep on file.

* World Education Services (www.wes.org)

After creating an account and entering in all necessary information, navigate to the Your Evaluation tab and select a course-by-course report.  Click Add Recipient, and you should see a drop down box that will allow you to choose Educational Institution.  Click Continue and type in “Northwestern”. Select Northwestern University-Illinois, then School of Communication-MS Communication. (Note that there will be several other programs within the School of Communication listed.  DO NOT select any of these other programs, and DO NOT select the generic “Office of Admissions” or the processing of your evaluation will be delayed.)  Please make sure to follow all other necessary steps to completely submit your order.  You should receive a WES reference number to keep on file.

MSC Program

Get on the Fast-Track to Career Advancement

In less than a year, you’ll earn your Master’s from a prestigious institution and acquire new skills to transform yourself and the organizations you serve.

No GREs or GMATs

Test scores do not tell the whole story. The MSC does not require GREs or GMATS — so you can apply right away. 

Rolling Admissions

Apply anytime. The MSC accepts applications across four deadlines throughout the year.

1 Year Flexible Program

Get your Masters degree in under a year with our accelerated MS in Communication degree program.

Earn Your MS in Communication From Northwestern

Take the next step in your career. Earn your Masters to open new doors.