Admission Overview

All applicants to the Master’s in Strategic Communication must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or the international equivalent prior to enrollment at the graduate level.

International applicants must additionally submit the following:

• TOEFL scores or equivalent proof of English proficiency
• A clear copy of your passport
• Evidence of financial support
• Transcripts

Copies of official transcripts may be uploaded in the online application for application review only. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official final transcripts issued directly from the institution(s) for verification prior to enrollment. More information is available in the application for admission.

International students from non-English speaking countries must meet the minimum scores listed below:

• TOEFL = 213 (computer-based), 79 (internet-based), 550 (paper-based)
• IELTS = 6.0
• MELAB = 80

Candidates should submit the following documents with their Butler Application:

• Personal Statement
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities where candidates:

• • Earned a degree
  • Earned more than 15 credits (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Completed any program prerequisite (regardless of number of credit hours)
  • Completed courses for which candidates are applying for transfer credit

• Current Résumé
• Applicants must submit a $35 application fee. Early decision applicants are eligible to waive their application fee.

While we look at all submission components of an application, an acceptable GMAT or GRE score needs to be met for admission into the program, unless you meet the GRE/GMAT exemption criteria listed below.

• The average GMAT score for students currently in the program is approximately 590.
• We will accept GRE scores that have been converted to a predicted GMAT score using the GRE Comparison Tool for Business Schools found on the GRE website. The GRE conversion must be on the 130–170 GRE Score Scale. A minimum Predicated GMAT Total Score of 500 or higher is required.
• We accept GRE and GMAT scores that have been taken within the past 5 years.

GMAT/GRE Exemption for Qualifying Students

GMAT/ GRE scores for candidates who meet any one of the requirements listed below are eligible for an automatic exemption and will not need to fill out a waiver form.

• Applicants with an undergraduate cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited university
• Applicants who have received a Masters degree from an accredited university
• Four years of full-time, professional and applicable work experience

All GMAT/GRE waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis, and an approved waiver request does not guarantee admission to the program. You are welcome to submit your scores for consideration if you meet the exemption requirements

Your personal statement should explain your interest in the program, how it will help you reach your career goals, and any additional context you would like to provide in support of the other application materials. For example, you may wish to explain some inconsistencies in your undergraduate or professional career. Ensure that your essay is thorough, well-organized, persuasive, and clear as we also assess the quality of writing in your personal statement.

Two letters of recommendations are required. If you completed your undergraduate degree within the past three years, at least one letter must be from a professor at your undergraduate institution. For those who completed an undergraduate degree over three years ago, you may opt for professional references from a recent supervisor or colleague. Character references or letters from relatives or friends are not acceptable.
Your recommenders should know your interests in our program and how they fit with your career path and goals. If possible, we suggest you give them at least three weeks advance notice to complete your recommendation. When they receive the recommendation link, they will be asked to rate you on a few competencies that are important to our program, such as work ethic, integrity, problem-solving, writing skills, etc. We also list a few attributes we want them to discuss in their letters. We suggest selecting recommenders that are able to attest to these qualities about you.
Should you waive the right to see your Letters of Recommendation?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) gives you the right of access to the contents of any recommendation letters, unless you specifically waive that right. The option to waive or not to waive your right is on our form, so your recommenders will know what you request.
That said, many graduate schools prefer confidential letters, which means you’ve waived the right to read the recommendations. These evaluations are considered more candid and accurate. It is up to you to consider the pros and cons of keeping or waiving your right, but you should make the same decision for both recommendations.

We will assess your undergraduate transcripts, professor recommendations (if required), and GRE/GMAT scores (if your cumulative GPA is below 3.0). We recognize that not everyone has the same advantages that foster success in the undergraduate classroom. In this case, your personal essay should reflect on your academic career to help us understand why you would perform well as a graduate student in light of your previous academic performance. Professor and professional recommenders should also shed light on your ability to succeed in our master’s degree program.
For those who are required to take an entrance exam, do not let the GRE/GMAT be a barrier to your application. These are not scored and evaluated the same as the SAT and ACT, since only top students heading to master’s and doctoral programs take these exams. We look at this score as just one more piece to the puzzle.