Department of Communication
Graduate Degree Requirements at UT Tyler
Total Semester Credit Hours=36
The Department of Communication offers the Master of Arts in Communication degree. This communication degree provides academic preparation for those pursuing professional careers in speech communication, teaching, and journalism; and will develop critical understanding of communication, aesthetics and cultural education. The department also participates in the Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs in interdisciplinary studies and offers elective courses for students seeking other graduate degrees. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program is in the graduate section of this catalog.
The Master of Arts in Communication focuses instruction in two areas: journalism and speech communication. This course of study is designed to 1) prepare students for matriculation to doctoral programs in communication, 2) train degree recipients for teaching responsibilities at the junior college level, and/or 3) provide professional competencies for private and public sector employment.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study, the requirements for admission to the communication program are as follows:
A. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
B. A satisfactory score on the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE should be completed prior to the conclusion of the first long semester of enrollment. Courses taken after the first long semester of enrollment will not apply toward the degree unless the student has successfully completed the GRE. Students who do not have satisfactory scores on the GRE may still be admitted under the condition that they obtain a grade of B or higher in six semester hours at UT Tyler. The student must choose either COMM 5307 or COMM 5325 and COMM 5300 or COMM 5305. Both courses should be completed before the student has finished twelve hours of graduate classes.
C. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4 point scale on all upper-division course work.
D. Two favorable letters of recommendation.
E. Additional consideration for admission will be based upon the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, involvement and level of responsibility in nonacademic matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and socioeconomic background.
F. Students who do not have a journalism or speech communication major or minor in their undergraduate studies may be required to take nine to twelve hours of leveling courses as determined by the communication graduate faculty.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A total of 36 semester hours of graduate work is required. No more than nine hours of graduate credit in which a “B” or better has been earned may be transferred from another institution. All transfer work is subject to approval by the student’s advisor. No more than six semester hours in independent study courses may be applied to this degree. Two degree options exist.
Thesis Option: 36 semester hours total
30 semester credit hours of coursework and a thesis, for which 6 semester hours are given. The final comprehensive examination will consist of an oral defense of the thesis and an oral defense of the program.
Non-Thesis Option: 36 semester hours total
36 semester credit hours of coursework. The final comprehensive examination will consist of a written and oral defense of the program.
The thesis will be in an area of faculty expertise. A three-person committee, which shall include at least two communication faculty (one of whom shall chair the committee), shall direct the thesis.
GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS
All candidates for the Master of Arts degree in communication must also meet the following requirements:
A. A grade of “B” or better in each core course.
B. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all course work applied towards the degree.
C. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive written and/or oral examination, to be taken during the student’s last semester of enrollment, over the work covered in his or her degree program (see specific requirements of thesis and non-thesis options above). Any student who fails the comprehensive examination may, upon recommendation of the Graduate Adviser, be granted permission to take a second examination. Any student failing the second examination will be dropped from the program.
D. Thesis students must submit a standard master’s quality thesis involving original research and satisfactorily defend the thesis.
|
Prefix and Number |
Core Courses -- Both Options |
SCH |
| COMM 5300 | Human Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM 5305 | Theories of Mass Communication |
3 |
| COMM 5307 | Quantitative Methods of Investigation |
3 |
| COMM 5325 | Qualitative Methods of Investigation |
3 |
| COMM 5351 | Freedom and Responsibility of Communication |
3 |
|
Prefix and Number |
Free Electives Available – Both Options |
SCH |
| COMM 5301 | The Literature of Journalism |
3 |
| COMM 5303 | Public Opinion and Propaganda |
3 |
| COMM 5315 | Mass Media and Popular Culture |
3 |
| COMM 5328 | Leadership and the Group Process |
3 |
| COMM 5329 | Topics in Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM 5330 | Gender and Communication |
3 |
| COMM 5335 | Seminar in Organizational Communication |
3 |
| COMM 5340 | Seminar in Intercultural Communication |
3 |
| COMM 5345 | New Media Theories and Applications |
3 |
| COMM 5350 | Nonverbal Communication |
3 |
| COMM 5396 | Independent Study |
Department of Communication
Contact: Emily Holland
eholland@uttyler.edu