FAQs

Admissions

What is the application deadline?
February 15, 2023, for Fall 2023.

What is the required GRE score to be admitted to the M.S. Advertising program?
We do not have a formal minimum requirement for the GRE.

I am an international student. What do I need to do to apply?
You'll find information on requirements specifically for international students, admissions information and resources here.
Other resources for international students can be found here.

Do you accept the IELTS?
Yes, we accept either the TOEFL or the IELTS.

What is the minimum English proficiency requirement for international students?
TOEFL: 104 (IBT)
IELTS: 7 (Overall)

I took my TOEFL/IELTS a long time ago. Are my scores valid?
TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed term of entry in order to be valid. In other words, if you are applying to enter the program in the Fall of 2016, only scores taken after August of 2014 are valid.

English is not my native language, but I’ve attended school where the language of instruction is English. Do I still have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
Information on TOEFL/IELTS exemptions can be found here.

How much does it cost to apply?
Up-to-date information on the application fee can be found here.

Are there any application fee waivers?
Information on application fee waivers can be found here.

How long should my statement of purpose be?
There are no formal length requirements for the statement of purpose.

Are there any program-specific essay questions for the application?
No, not at this time.

When will I know whether or not I’ve been admitted?
Admission decisions are made in mid-late March. You should know by the end of March whether or not you’ve been admitted.

Can I visit campus?
We always welcome visits from prospective students. If you will be visiting campus, please contact Graduate Administration Staff (Angie Bingaman, abingama@illinois.edu) so that we can set up a time to meet.

Do you offer a part-time program?
We don’t have a formal part-time program.

A great deal of additional admissions information can be found on the Graduate College site.

 

Funding

How much does the program cost?
You'll find up-to-date tuition information here.

What types of financial aid and funding are available to me?
We typically offer a few teaching or research assistantships to graduate students. Occasionally, students may qualify for a fellowship. Students are selected for these opportunities based on their application materials and/or their performance on campus. Sometimes graduate hourly positions assisting with grading or research or additional assistantships will become available once students are on campus.

General information about financial aid can be found here.
Information on tuition costs can be found here.

When will I know whether or not I’ve been awarded funding?
Funding decisions are usually included in the admission letter. Because funding decisions are dependent on the budget, sometimes additional decisions are made in July with the start of the new fiscal year.

 

Academics and Campus Life

What are the requirements for the M.S. degree?
Information about degree requirements can be found here.

How many classes will I have each semester?
Graduate students typically enroll in 4 or 5 courses a semester. This number depends on your course plan.

How long will it take me to finish my program?
We currently have 12-, 18-, and 24-month models. Most students take 18 to 24 months to complete their program.

How many people will be in my classes?
Graduate-level seminars generally range from 12 to 20 students.

Are there any opportunities to do research studies with professors?
Yes. Our faculty consists of productive researchers who often work with students that are interested in research.

Are there any opportunities to get involved with professional organizations on campus?
The College of Media is home to several student organizations. You can learn more here.

Do you offer job placement assistance?
We do not offer formal job placement assistance. We do, however, have a vast network of alumni and professional contacts that our students often benefit from when pursuing professional opportunities.

Where should I look for living arrangements?
Depending on individual preferences, some students choose to live on campus for convenience, and others will choose to live off campus. Visit here for information about on-campus housing.

What is campus life like?
From exploring Campustown with your friends, going to Illini football and basketball games, and attending concerts at the Assembly Hall, Champaign-Urbana offers its students much to do for entertainment and recreation. Many students also take advantage of our two workout facilities, ARC and CRCE, where you can swim, take group fitness classes, workout on your own, play intramural sports and much more. The university also has four cultural houses that include the African American Cultural Center, the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, and the Native American House. Each of these centers offers an educational experience that is sure to give its visitors an appreciation for these different backgrounds. Visit these websites for more information about campus life and living in Champaign-Urbana.