Texas Tech University

CoMC Give Students an Edge in Job Market

New 30-hour Program to Allow Students Better Job Opportunities Post Graduation

Introduced for the first time in Fall 2011, Texas Tech University's College of Media & Communication 30-hour Master of Arts program provides students the opportunity to earn their master's degrees in one year and launch into the job market with uncommon advanced credentials.

Different from many other communication graduate programs in the country, the CoMC 30-hour program is designed for students to graduate with a Master of Art degree within a single year prior to entering the work force. This one additional year of education gives students an edge against other candidates in the communication industry.

Graduate student Brittany Campbell in her office “Many of our enrolled students have jobs lined up even before they graduate from the program,” said Coy Callison, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the College of Media & Communication. “The 30-hour program not only allows students to receive jobs more quickly than those with only bachelor degrees, but it also often translates to higher pay, and more promotions as well.”

Students generally complete the 30-hour program within one full year of attendance at Texas Tech with specific classes catered to the fall, spring and summer semesters. Through this professionally-geared program, students are given the option of choosing a general mass communications or sports-media track based on their individual interests.

Each program entails specific courses that accommodate each area of communication, including public relations, advertising, electronic media and journalism. Students appreciate that the curriculum integrates all areas of mass communication, therefore, giving students a more complete understanding of the industry.

Current master's student Brittany Campbell, a unit coordinator at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Office of Alumni Relations, said that the array of classes in the program has broadened her understanding of how strategic communication can be used across disciplines.

“The classes are so eclectic, Campbell said. “We are getting to take classes in advertising, public relations, electronic media and journalism. I think the diversity actually does help.”

Campbell also notes that the program has allowed her to come in contact with many other students who she feels will be leaders in industry.

“I have met some amazing people in the program,” Campbell said. “I feel that networking with these people has been the best part of the program, and I have made some great contacts that I know will be part of my future success.”

Finally Campbell noted that she wanted to be ahead of the common trend of people coming up against roadblocks that could have been avoided through graduate school. She was told she would need a master's degree if she wanted to advance further than a director in her current field. Her friends were hearing the same.

“A couple of my friends work for agencies in Dallas, and they are returning for the master's,” Campbell said. “Times have really changed; the master's degree is the new bachelor's degree, in my opinion, no matter what field you are in. It used to be where a bachelor's degree was enough—not so much anymore.”


For more information, contact:
Coy Callison, Ph.D.
coy.callison@ttu.edu
(806) 742- 6500 Ext. 235