FAQs
When are the deadlines to apply to your M.A. program?
- To be a competitive applicant, you should have your application completed by March 1 to be admitted for the following Fall semester, and by October 1 for the following Spring semester.
Where exactly do I apply? To the Graduate School? To your department?
- You need to submit an application to both the Graduate School and to the Department of Communication Studies (COMS). For the Grad School, go to http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/how.php. For Communication Studies, you need to submit the required materials (see next question) to Dr. Heuman. If you’re applying for a teaching assistantship (TA) in (COMS), go to http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communicationstudies/forms/TA.php and complete the application online. Don’t forget to contact the Office of Financial Aid, which is at http://www.financialaid.ttu.edu/.
What materials do I need to submit to the Communication Studies department?
- Dr. Heuman needs the following from all TA and non-TA applicants:
- GRE scores (which should already be sent to the Graduate School); TOEFL scores if you are an international student.
- Three letters of recommendation (Letter writers should fax, mail, or email these directly to Dr. Heuman).
- Statement of your professional goals (faxed, mailed, or emailed directly to Dr. Heuman).
- Copy of at least one solo-authored research paper (sent directly to Dr. Heuman).
- Resume/vitae (if you have one, sent directly to Dr. Heuman).
- And . . . if you’re applying for a teaching assistantship, don’t forget the online application at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communicationstudies/forms/TA.php.
- GRE scores (which should already be sent to the Graduate School); TOEFL scores if you are an international student.
What kind of academic background should I have to do well in your M.A. program?
- You should have at least 12 hours of undergraduate coursework in communication studies or related field. At least 9 of those hours must be in non-forensics (speech and debate) courses. If you have specific questions, please discuss them with Dr. Heuman (a.heuman@ttu.edu).
What goes into the Statement of Intent, which is one of the materials required for submission?
- Your statement of intent, sometimes called a purpose statement, is an explanation of why you want a Master’s degree in Communication Studies, and why you want to pursue your degree at Texas Tech. You should also talk about what you hope to gain from the program and how you plan on using the degree in the future.
What courses do I need to take?
- Please refer to our list of core courses, which can be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/AS_COMS.php#Grad. This cite identifies the core research and theory courses you need to graduate. Once you’re admitted, the Graduate Director will guide you in the registration process so you will graduate on time.
What exactly do your Teaching Assistants (TAs) do? And how much do they get paid?
- To be a TA, you must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester. In your first year, you will likely assist in one of our large service courses (either Public Speaking or Business and Professional Communication) by leading discussion sections and being supervised by one of the course directors. TAs in their second year might have an opportunity to teach their own autonomous sections. TAs who have 18 or more credit hours under their belt receive a modest increase in pay. For specific pay figures, contact the Graduate Director (a.heuman@ttu.edu) or the COMS department (806-742-3833).
What can I do with a Master’s degree in Communication Studies?
- “What can’t you do” is the more appropriate question. You are encouraged to contact Dr. Heuman (a.heuman@ttu.edu) or any of the other faculty for ideas or guidance. Also check out our home page ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communicationstudies/) for lists of the careers and opportunities of our alumni.
I’m thinking of going into journalism, advertising, or some related field. Can I still apply to your program?
- In that case, COMS may not be the best place for you. Our department is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences (not in the College of Mass Communications), and we prepare our students to be communication experts in a variety of contexts— interpersonal, organizational, rhetorical, public address or affairs, and other contexts. We study communication, the process. Mass Communications, on the other hand, are about the communication tools, which deal more with journalism, mass communication, advertising, and related fields. If your interests are more in line with those of the College of Mass Communications, you should contact their graduate director, Dr. Coy Callison, at coy.callison@ttu.edu, and go to their website at www.depts.ttu.edu/masscom.