Communication Studies

Opportunities for graduate studies

The graduate program in Communication Studies at the University of North Texas examines communication and the processes through which humans interact. We facilitate your command of theory and research, develop your research capabilities, and prepare you for a variety of careers or for further graduate study.

The Department of Communication Studies offers course work leading to a Master of Arts degree or a Master of Science degree in Communication Studies. You will use analytical, critical, qualitative and quantitative methodologies to explore communication from applied and theoretical perspectives. Courses focus on the investigation of communication in aesthetic, cultural, health, international, interpersonal, organizational and political contexts. Among the topics, you'll encounter:

• gender and diversity issues
• narrative and social change
• political and social influence

Our faculty members exemplify the diverse approaches to the study of communication and outstanding scholarship in the field. They include professors who have won awards and research grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the North Texas chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. They also coach intercollegiate debate; consult for organizations in the community, the region and various parts of the United States; direct performances; and hold professional leadership positions. Their research interests are:

• argumentation studies
• critical and cultural studies of communication, cultural values, ideologies and politics
• interpersonal communication
• narrative studies
• performance studies
• rhetorical analysis and criticism of persuasive public communication in historical, political and cultural contexts
• the role of communication in organizations, professions and groups

You may have opportunities to conduct research with faculty members and participate in regional and national festivals, professional conferences, and internships with corporations, social service organizations, arts organizations and government agencies.

Areas of emphasis

Your course work will include all areas within the department, but you can develop a concentration in:

• interpersonal/organizational communication
• rhetorical studies
• performance studies

Interpersonal/organizational communication examines the impact of communication theory in multiple interpersonal and organizational contexts. You will explore how human communication influences cultures, groups and individuals. The goal is to blend theory, research and practical application, while fostering the development of analytical and applied skills in multiple contexts related to human communication interactions.

Rhetorical studies offers theoretical and applied education — through historical, critical and qualitative research — designed to promote understanding of communication phenomena. Communication influences the formation and growth of every culture. Through an intensive study of various forms of communication, you can understand and contribute to a culture's development.

Performance studies' philosophy is that performance is central to the development of human beings and cultures. As a primary mode of human experience, knowledge and action, performance often provides a strong sense of self and others, leading to self-expansion and an enriched sense of cultural pluralism. Performance studies course work promotes an understanding of human beings and cultures through critical, historical and empirical investigations; experiential learning in the classroom; and sharing discoveries with public audiences.

Admission requirements

Because of Communication Studies' interdisciplinary nature, admission is open to students from a variety of undergraduate majors. You need to meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School and our department's specific requirements. Graduate school requirements are at catalog.unt.edu or http://tsgs.unt.edu.

We conduct a holistic review for program admission. Admission requirements and procedures are outlined at www.comm.unt.edu/grad.htm. Undergraduate students anticipating graduate work in the department should take the GRE no later than the fall semester of their senior year. You may pursue a master's degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

Degree requirements

Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees

Thesis option

• 30 semester hours of course work
• 6 semester hours of thesis and an oral defense

Project option

• 33 semester hours of course work
• 3 semester hours of research in lieu of thesis
• written and oral comprehensive exams

Internship option

• 33 semester hours of course work
• 3 semester hours of a graduate internship
• written and oral comprehensive exams

If you are pursuing the M.A., you also will need to meet a foreign language requirement.

Financial assistance

We offer teaching assistantships that provide valuable experience as a classroom teacher, debate assistant or performance assistant. Stipends for teaching assistants are competitive and include medical insurance benefits. In addition, out-of-state and international students who receive assistantships are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates. Information about other financial assistance opportunities is available at financialaid.unt.edu or graduateschool.unt.edu.