NOTE: This page contains the official information regarding application requirements and deadlines. Information on this page supersedes any information posted on any other page or website.
Apply to the MA program through CSDCAS Services. All materials must be uploaded or sent directly to CSDCAS. Any admission documents or materials received in the department will be disregarded. The components of the application are elaborated below.
1. Submit on-line application to CSDCAS by January 1. Applicants who fail to submit the on-line application prior to January 1 will not be eligible to apply to the program until the following year. It is the student's responsibility to meet this deadline and to ensure receipt of all materials by CSDCAS. Timely filing will further facilitate the admission process. NOTE: There is approximately a one-month lag between the time application materials arrive at CSDCAS and the time that they are verified and subsequently made available to the department for evaluation by the Admissions Committee beginning in early February. There is no guarantee that materials verified after early February, including official GRE scores will be considered.
2. Applicants must obtain three academic/professional letters of recommendation. Recommendations must be submitted online through the CSDCAS web portal. CSDCAS website will provide detailed instructions on how to submit the letters.
3. An official score of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. GRE Scores are submitted electronically to CSDCAS directly from ETS using a special communication science school-specific CSDCAS GRE code. CSDCAS does not accept paper copies of GRE scores. GREs sent to the Graduate School at UB also will not be accepted. Please use the following GRE ETS code:
0760 SUNY University at Buffalo CSDCAS.
4. Unofficial TOEFL scores for international applicants who are not native speakers of English must be entered online. If admission is recommended by the department, an official TOEFL score must be received by the university before the student can be formally accepted (see below).
5. Non-Canadian International applicants are required to have all foreign transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Transcripts and the WES evaluation report should be sent directly to CSDCAS at the address below (see point 6).
6. Official transcripts should be sent directly to CSDCAS at the address below:
CSDCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9113
Watertown, MA 02471
7. Personal statement. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement or essay as part of the online CSDCAS application. The essay should address topics such as motivation for entering the field, professional goals and specific interest in attending the program at the University at Buffalo. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the essay to address any weaknesses in academic performance or a discrepancy between grades and GRE scores.
8. Students have the option of uploading a current resume/curriculum vita.
1. To apply through the CSDCAS Services, please click HERE. The CSDCAS application portal opens to applicants each year in early September.
2. All official transcripts MUST be sent to CSDCAS at the address below:
CSDCAS Verification Department
P.O. Box 9113
Watertown, MA 02471
3. The GRE code of University at Buffalo is 0760.
4. Customer Service is available Monday thru Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST
Phone – (617) 612-2030
E-Mail – csdcassinfo@csdcas.org
Two required application fees must be paid prior to review of materials by the Admissions Committee:
1. To CSDCAS: Please click HERE
2. To the University at Buffalo: A $75 USD non-refundable application processing fee is due before your application can be reviewed (U.S. currency only please). Preferred form of payment: Online with VISA or Master Card.
- UB ePay link for the M.A. program, please click HERE
If admitted to the department, international students will be required to submit the following information to the University. The department's offer of admission is contingent upon final review of the application by UB's International Office of Admissions and determination of eligibility to receive the official documents necessary for a Student Visa.
The Graduate School website at UB should be consulted for information regarding cost of attendance, financial aid and assistantships. Please refer to the category Graduate when determining cost of attendance.
Several funding opportunities are available to support graduate study.
1. Graduate Teaching Assistantship: The department has a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships to award each year to highly qualified students. All applicants are automatically considered for these assistantships when applying to the program through CSDCAS. No supplemental materials are required for consideration. Students selected for these awards will be notified during the Spring semester. Awards typically consist of a half-time tuition scholarship (i.e., equivalent of 4.5 credits) and modest stipend. Awards are typically a maximum of 2 years in duration.
2. Research Labs: Paid positions may be available in department research labs. Students should contact individual laboratory directors to inquire about these opportunities.
3. Work study: Students awarded work study monies through the Federal Student Aid program should contact the department at the email address below to secure a work study position in the department.
The academic profile of applicants admitted to the MA program during the past several years is as follows:
1. How many students apply to the MA program each year?
2. How many students are admitted?
3. Can I arrange a tour of the department?
4. Who do I contact if I have questions about the MA program?
5. I have an undergraduate degree from another field. Can I still apply directly to the graduate program?
