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School of Communication & Journalism
Admission Procedures

Click here to apply

 

Communication, Journalism, Media Studies and Public Relations are application majors. Students are considered pre-majors until accepted into one of the four programs. Students are admitted to the major on a space-available basis in October, December, February, May and early August. The application deadline is posted each semester in the School of Communication and Journalism and on the School's website. Space is carefully determined based on our national accreditation standards and School resources and faculty.

Upcoming Application Deadlines:

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (central time)
  • Wednesday, December 18, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. (central time)

Meeting the criteria below means only that a student is eligible to complete an application. Admission is not guaranteed. Admission to majors in the School of Communication and Journalism is selective, limited and highly competitive.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Students must comply with these requirements to be admitted to any of the four majors in the School of Communication and Journalism.

Communication (COMM) students must apply for admission to the COMM major. Before applying, students must:

  1. Complete COMM 1000 with a C or better.
  2. Complete CMJN 2100 with a C or better.
  3. Successfully complete 30 hours of degree-applicable course credits (including transfer, AP and proficiency credits) and be a student in good standing at the time of the application.
  4. In a well written, 300-word essay discuss: 1) What interests you about human communication; 2) What you would like to learn more about; and 3) What specific Communication courses would help you achieve your educational and career goals. Please be specific in your response and provide examples (i.e., list specific skills, name specific classes).
  5. Students who transfer to Auburn University may apply to the COMM major but must complete at least one semester at Auburn University before admission.

 

Journalism (JRNL) or Sports Production (JRSP) students must apply for admission to the JRNL or JRSP major. Before applying, students must:

  1. Complete CMJN 2100 with a C or better.
  2. Complete the fundamentals class. If the student applies prior to Fall 2023, the student must complete JRNL 1AA0 or JRNL 1100 with a “C” or better If the student applies Fall 2023 or later, the student must complete JRNL 1000 with a “C” or better.
  3. Complete JRNL 2210 with a “C” or better.
  4. Successfully complete 30 hours of degree-applicable course credits (including transfer, AP and proficiency credits) and be a student in good standing at the time of the application.
  5. In a well written, 300-word essay, free of spelling and grammar errors, explain how the Journalism program fits with your academic and professional goals.
  6. Students who transfer to Auburn University may apply to the JRNL major but must complete one semester at Auburn University before applying for admission.

 

Film or Media Studies (MDIA) students must apply for admission to the FILM or MDIA major. Before applying, students must: 

  1. Complete CMJN 2100 with a C or better.
  2. Complete MDIA 2350 with a C or better.
  3. Successfully complete 30 hours of degree-applicable course credits (including transfer, AP and proficiency credits) and be a student in good standing at the time of the application.
  4. In a well written 300-word essay, choose any example of a popular film, TV show, popular song, etc., that you find interesting and explain why you find it significant. Next, in 3-5 sentences, tell us what you hope to learn in the Film and Media Studies program and how the program fits with your academic and professional goals. Please be specific in your response and provide examples when answering each question.
  5. Students who transfer to Auburn University may apply to the FILM and MDIA major but must complete at least one semester at Auburn University before admission.

 

Public Relations (PRCM) students must apply for admission to the PRCM major. Before applying, students must: 

  1. Complete CMJN 2100 with a C or better.
  2. Students must complete their foundations class. Students enrolled at Auburn prior to Fall 2023 must complete JRNL 1AA0 or JRNL 1100 with a “C” or better, or PRCM 1000 with a “C” or better. Students who began Auburn Fall 2023 or later must complete PRCM 1000 with a “C” or better. 
  3. Complete PRCM 2400 with a “C” or better.
  4. Successfully complete 30 hours of degree-applicable course credits (including transfer, AP and proficiency credits) and be a student in good standing at the time of the application.
  5. In a well written, 300-word essay, explain how you expect to contribute to the field of public relations and your specific career goals.
  6. Students who transfer to Auburn University may apply to the PRCM major but must complete at least one semester at Auburn University before admission.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHERE DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?

Click here to apply. 

WILL I AUTOMATICALLY BE SELECTED AS A MAJOR IF I MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND TAKE THE REQUIRED COURSES?

Completing the required courses and meeting the other requirements listed above means that a student is eligible to submit an application for acceptance into the major. No student is guaranteed admission into one of the School's four programs. Students are strongly encouraged not to wait until their junior or senior years to apply for admission. Pre-majors should apply for admission soon after completing the criteria listed above and taking 30 hours of AU core courses. Students who are not accepted into one of the School's four programs can meet with the School advisor for other curricular options.

WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE MAJOR?

  1. Attach a PDF of your unofficial transcript. You may access your transcript via AU Access and then save the transcript as a PDF. (Note: How to save the file as a PDF depends on whether you are using a PC or Mac and your Web browser. Please search Google on how to save a Webpage as a PDF if you are unsure how to do so.) 
  2. A 300-word essay that is specific to the major to which you are applying.
  3. A resume. This is optional, but encouraged.

IF I AM ACCEPTED INTO ONE OF THE FOUR PROGRAMS, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE MY DEGREE?

All of the School's programs take a minimum of six semesters to complete. The coursework is sequential and many classes are taught only once per year. The number of available seats in skills-based and studio courses are limited to 15 to 18 students, per our national accreditation standards. On-campus or off-campus transfer students accepted into the program should anticipate that it will still take them six semesters to complete the program. Questions about the status of an application should be director to the appropriate associate director in COMM, JRNL/JRSP, FILM/MDIA or PRCM.

Questions about the application process, contact: