Admissions Procedure


All graduate students must be accepted for study by both the Graduate School at Texas Tech University and the College of Mass Communications.

Applicants should submit the following to the Graduate School:

  • A graduate application available on the College of Mass Communications website
  • Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate (if any) work
  • Current scores for the Graduate Record Examination.

Admission to a graduate program in the College of Mass Communications is based on a holistic assessment of the student’s promise for success in mass communications, graduate-level work. Materials reviewed include the personal statement, letters of recommendation, GPA and GRE scores. GRE scores neither ensure admission nor automatically disqualify an applicant. Evidence of language skills is particularly important because these skills are essential to success in any communications program.

International students must submit TOEFL scores of at least 550 (75 on the modified TOEFL).

As long as undergraduates are within 12 hours of completing their degree they can take graduate courses. There is a form in the Graduate School for the student to complete and submit. Students must get permission from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies to enroll in graduate courses.


Master’s Students


In addition to materials submitted to the Graduate School, applicants for the M.A. program should submit the following to the College of Mass Communications:
  • Master of Arts Student Application form available on the College of Mass Communications website.
  • A written personal statement.
  • A description of academic and professional experiences in mass communications.
  • Written samples of academic or professional work in mass communications.
  • Letters of recommendation from two people who can attest to your ability to succeed in graduate work.
TAPES, DISKS AND PORTFOLIOS SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED.

Students who would like an opportunity as a graduate assistant or who seek financial assistance should submit their applications at least six months prior to the date they plan to begin classes.

Ph.D. Students


In addition to materials submitted to the Graduate School, applicants for the Ph.D. program should submit the following to the College of Mass Communications:

  • Doctor of Philosophy Student Application form available on the College of Mass Communications website.
  • A written personal statement.
  • A description of your academic and professional experiences in mass communications.
  • Written samples of academic and/or professional work in mass communications.
  • Letters of recommendation from three professors attesting to your ability to succeed in doctoral level work.
TAPES, DISKS AND PORTFOLIOS SHOULD NOT BE SUBMITTED.

Students who would like to serve as a graduate instructor or who seek financial assistance should submit their applications at least six months prior to the date they plan to begin classes. Early application does improve the student’s chances for approval.

Applicants who have submitted all required material by March 1 will be notified of admission decisions by the first week of April.

Students most likely to succeed in our program will have GRE scores above the 70th percentile, have GPAs of 3.4 or higher and will present evidence of professional experience or extensive internships in mass communications.”


Change of Status


Students who are currently enrolled in the M.A. program in Mass Communications at Texas Tech must apply in order to transfer to the Ph.D. program. The admission standards for the Ph.D. program are more stringent than for the M.A., and not all M.A. students will be admitted to the Ph.D. program. All other students must apply for admission to the Ph.D. program as a new student.