JUMP Program Admission
Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment in the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies or Corporate and Organizational Communication
- Cumulative GPA of 3.50
- Recommendation of a faculty member/advisor
- Completion of at least 60 hours and no more than 96 hours
- Submission of an academic writing sample
Application Process
Students interested in the JUMP program should first meet with their advisor and complete a Communication JUMP program application ideally before the completion of 75 hours of undergraduate credit. Applications are reviewed and approved by the Communication Department Graduate Committee. Students will be notified of acceptance into the program and will meet with their advisor to develop a specific program of study and sign a Statement of Intent with the Department of Communication.
Classification Prior to Regular Admission to the Graduate School
Students participating in the JUMP program will be classified as undergraduates until they are admitted into the Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (Ref. 0012) and shall retain the same rights and privileges granted all Western Kentucky University undergraduate students, including classification as an undergraduate student for purposes of receiving financial aid.
Students who have completed a minimum of 120 hours (including joint undergraduate/graduate hours) along with other requirements for either the B.A. in Communication Studies or Corporate and Organizational Communication as listed in the university catalogue are eligible to apply for their undergraduate degree. The M.A. degree must be awarded only after the BA degree.
Admission to the Graduate School
Students participating in the Communication JUMP program must be admitted to the Graduate School for the M.A. in Organizational Communication at the beginning of the semester following the semester in which they complete the total number of credit hours required for the undergraduate degree in Communication Studies or Corporate and Organizational Communication (no less than 120 hours of total coursework). The GRE requirement is waived for JUMP students.
On admission to the Graduate School, the student is classified as a graduate student and granted all rights and privileges of WKU graduate students; the student no longer qualifies for undergraduate classification for any purpose after admission to the Graduate School.
Students may count a maximum of 18 hours of graduate coursework prior to admission to the Graduate School; however, only 12 hours may count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree. If the student has questions, they should contact their academic advisor.
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