Admissions

Admission to the KU's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Freshman are assured admission into KU's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences if they meet one of these combinations:

• A 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale, no test scores required or regardless of test score submitted OR
• An ACT score of at least 21 or an SAT of at least 1060 plus a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Transfer students are assured admission with 24+ transferable credit hours at a GPA of 2.5 or higher from a regionally accredited community college, college, or university.

International students seeking admission should contact International Admissions.

Please note that other schools and programs have their own requirements for admission.

Admission to the Film and Media Studies major

• Must be accepted to KU by assured admission (see above) or individual review.

*** The department is not accepting PhD applications at this time. ***

*** The Fall 2025 application cycle is closed, but 2026 applications will open in September 2025. ***

GRE Requirements for Admission

Note: GRE scores are not currently required for applications. Students who wish to send scores can still do so using the following instructions:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. For routing, our institution code is 6871 and our department code is 4505. Check with your GRE Examination Center to be certain your scores will arrive at KU by the application deadline.

In accordance with the GRE test scoring scale, the Department of Film and Media Studies GRE requirements for admission are:

• 160 verbal
• 144 quantitative
• 4.5 analytical writing

Application Materials

Please submit the following materials with your application*:

• An official transcript, sent directly to KU, from every previous college or university attended (copies issued to students not accepted).
• Three (3) recent letters of recommendation, two of which should be from your current or former teachers.
• A current resume of academic and artistic experiences
• A statement of personal goals that explains why you want to pursue graduate study.
• A writing sample (no more than 15 pages) that demonstrates your ability to theorize, analyze, and synthesize scholarly information.
• Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proof of English proficiency before gaining admission to a graduate program. There are specific requirements for students wishing to hold a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position.

You may submit materials online or mail them to:

Graduate Advisor
KU Department of Film & Media Studies
1300 Sunnyside Ave. Suite 230
Lawrence, KS 66045

*Please note that application fees will apply.

Deadlines

*** The department is not accepting PhD applications at this time. ***

To apply for admission in the Fall term, please submit all application materials for admission no later than:

• January 5 to be considered for funding.
• February 1 to be considered without funding.

The Department does not admit new students in the Spring or Summer terms.

Program Info

The Graduate Certificate is designed for graduate students whose research includes analysis of media text and technologies. It provides training in film and media methods and theory in both a historical and a contemporary context.

Current KU Graduate Students

Current students must be in good standing with their graduate degree program in order to participate in the certificate program. A graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for admission.

Please submit the following materials with your application*:

• A cover letter
• A copy of your KU advising report
• A letter of support from your faculty advisor or Director of Graduate Studies in your graduate degree program

Important:  There are two slots for letters of recommendation.  Please enter the email address of your supervisor or DGS under Recommender 1.  Enter your KU student email address under Recommender 2.

*Please note that application fees will apply.

Non-KU Students

Non-KU graduate students must complete an application* to the Graduate School for admission into the certificate program and submit the following materials:

• A cover letter
• A copy of your college transcript
• Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic work or potential for graduate study

*Please note that application fees will apply.