Radio, Television and Film

Career potential

If you are interested in learning to be a filmmaker, getting a career in broadcasting, producing documentaries or narrative films, or preparing for graduate work in mass communication, then radio, television and film is the major for you.

The RTVF major at the University of North Texas will provide you with a broad liberal arts education while preparing you for a career in broadcasting, corporate video, cable television, educational media, film or advanced study in television and film.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in radio, television and film

UNT's Department of Radio, Television and Film has state-of-the-art equipment and offers an excellent curriculum and faculty. It also offers the advantage of being located in the nation's fifth-largest television market, the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

As an RTVF major, you will take courses dealing with perspectives on film, perspectives on radio and television, and television or film production. You may want to minor in an area that relates to your career goals, such as art or photography, business or management, education, journalism, social science or theatre. By participating in the student chapters of the many professional broadcasting organizations on campus, you will have a chance to learn about the industry and to meet those already in the business. These organizations include the Broadcast Education Association, the Texas Association of Broadcasters, the International Television Association and the University Film and Video Association.

RTVF faculty members include internationally recognized scholars, seasoned media professionals and award-winning documentary filmmakers. Books written by RTVF faculty members are used in university courses throughout the world, and faculty-produced films and television programs have been seen on network television and screened at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Faculty members also work for and receive recognition from national and international organizations dealing with media education and film preservation.

Getting hands-on experience

In addition to what you learn in the classroom, you can enhance your knowledge of the industry by working at the on-campus FM radio or cable television stations.

UNT's 100,000-watt radio station, KNTU-FM, can be heard throughout Denton and the Dallas-Fort Worth region 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The station will offer you an opportunity to gain valuable broadcast experience in news and sports announcing, promotion and programming, sales and development, and station administration. Students have earned recognition from regional media organizations such as the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters. All UNT students are eligible to work at the station.

North Texas Television is RTVF's cable access station, a production laboratory where you learn to produce videotaped programs and to operate a cable television station. All UNT students can apply for a position with NTTV. Two students at the station recently earned Mark of Excellence awards from the regional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

You can gain insight into Spanish media by attending seminars offered by the Spanish Language Media Center. This center is one of the nation's first comprehensive training and research programs for Spanish-speaking media professionals.

Students often intern with local professional media organizations. The RTVF department works with UNT's Cooperative Education and Internships office to help students arrange internships with media organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. To participate in an RTVF-sponsored internship, you must have a 2.8 grade point average and have at least 90 total class hours, including 15 hours in RTVF major classes.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic advisor/counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

RTVF is a limited admission program based on space available. This means that you must apply separately for admission to the RTVF major. Admission to the RTVF major is based on a review of your formal application by the RTVF admissions committee. You will be classified as a pre-major when you start your pursuit of a bachelor of arts degree in RTVF. To become eligible to submit an application for RTVF major status, you must complete at least 45 hours of college course work, including a list of required pre-major courses, with at least a 2.5 grade point average at UNT. Transfer students should expect to spend one or more semesters as pre-majors before applying to the RTVF program. Access the UNT catalog at www.unt.edu/catalog for more details.

Charting your path with academic advising

Faculty and staff advisors are available to answer questions and assist students with career and course decisions. The advising office is in the Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building, Room 262.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.