Admission Requirements

GRE not required. Please submit the following:

1. A completed graduate application at: www.bellarmine.edu/applynow
2. Personal Statement and Writing Prompt:
   • Personal statement: Please discuss your suitability for graduate study. You may discuss your professional and academic skills, strengths and weaknesses, etc. This is your chance to offer additional information about any potential red flags or weaker areas of your application (i.e. a GPA lower than 3.0, etc.). Your essay may include topics like: 
     • How your strengths and weaknesses will contribute to your success as a graduate student and professional? 
     • How do you compensate for your weaknesses?
     • What will you contribute to this program?
     • Ultimately, build an argument for your admission.
   • Include an essay (references not required) that answers the following writing prompts: 
     • What topics of communication do you plan to investigate in your graduate program? 
     • What in your educational or professional background has prepared you to enter either the Master of Arts in Communication Program or the Master of Science in Digital Media Program at Bellarmine University?
3. Professional/academic writing sample: this could include a term paper, press release, published story (nonfiction), digital portfolio, grant application, etc.
4. Provide email addresses in the online application for two references. Recommendations from persons able to evaluate either academic or professional potential are the most valuable.
   • Recommendations from persons able to evaluate academic potential may include professors, instructors, or college advisers. 
   • Recommendations from persons able to evaluate professional potential may include current or former employers.
5. Current resume
6. Final official transcript(s) from each college or university attended should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission and not be marked “Issued to Student.” If any transcript(s) or undergraduate degree(s) is from an international institution, you must provide an official copy to be evaluated by the Bellarmine International Programs Office. The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to request a certified copy of the original transcript(s). All final, official transcripts should be submitted to: 
   Bellarmine University
   Office of Graduate Admission
   2001 Newburg Road
   Louisville, KY 40205

For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 502.272.7200 or gradadmissions@bellarmine.edu.

Note: It is the student’s responsibility to request all official transcripts and test scores. Official transcripts and test scores are mailed directly from the institution to Bellarmine University and should not be marked issued to student or addressed to the student.

International Student Requirements

Please complete the items under Procedure for Admission and submit the following:

Language Proficiency. All students are expected to have appropriate English-language proficiency to be admitted to the university. The language proficiency is required to ensure students are adequately prepared and well positioned to succeed.

Financial Affidavit. All applicants must provide credible evidence (e.g. a bank statement, letter on bank stationary attesting to the availability of funds, etc.) of the ability to fund the cost of attending Bellarmine University for one academic year. If funds are provided by another person on behalf of the student, an affidavit must accompany the financial information.

Proof of Passport. Scan of passport ID page must show validity for 6 months post completion of the program.

International students are also encouraged to visit the Bellarmine International Student & Scholar Services website.

Probationary Admission

On occasion, students who do not meet the standard admission requirements for the program may be admitted on a probationary basis for one semester. Prior to admission, the student meets independently with the Program Director, faculty and/or the Dean to address deficiencies in his/her application. If a student is granted a probationary admit, but does not maintain a 3.0 in the first semester of enrollment, he/she may not continue in the program. The program director will contact the student and faculty mid-fall semester to obtain a progress report.