College of Media and Communication
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Master of Arts Doctor of Philosophy

Course Descriptions

 

 

The College of Media and Communication offers both the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Students seeking admission to the graduate program should consult the college’s associate dean of graduate studies before enrolling in any courses.

Upon entering the college’s program, graduate majors may be required to take undergraduate or graduate leveling work. This requirement will depend on the student’s prior academic or professional experience in mass communications. Leveling courses must be taken in addition to the graduate-hour requirements noted in the program options above. Students should consult the college’s associate dean of graduate studies regarding these requirements.

 

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Mass Communications degree is designed to prepare students to enter the communications industry or to continue studies toward a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Depending upon courses selected, graduate students are prepared for careers or advanced study in the fields of media (journalism, publishing, and electronic communications), advertising, public relations, and related fields.

Master of Arts students are offered two curriculum options: a traditional research-based thesis program or a professional non-thesis program. All programs are 30 credit hours. The thesis program requires 24 hours of coursework and a minimum of 6 hours of thesis credit. The thesis is comprehensive original research and typically takes a full summer or regular semester to complete. Coursework must include four required courses: MCOM 5366, 5364, and 5374.

The professional non-thesis program includes coursework that concludes with a capstone final project course. This course will be taken in the student’s final semester and will require a practicum/internship, portfolio, directed readings, or an applied research project. The sports media option is a track within the professional program. A typical curriculum in this track includes not only coursework but also an internship in sport and media.

 

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communications degree is designed to prepare students for careers in communications research and academia. Doctoral study includes coursework in media research, theory, and effects. Completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires 87 hours of graduate study beyond the baccalaureate degree or 60 hours beyond the Master of Arts degree, including 12 hours dedicated to a traditional research-based dissertation.

The Ph.D. in Mass Communications at Texas Tech focuses on the integration of different approaches to the study of mass communications and of all media of mass communications. While coursework may concentrate in the areas of advertising, electronic media, journalism or public relations, each student is required to acquire at least some background in all areas of mass communications and some familiarity with all media of mass communications..Back to Top

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for the college's various specializations can be found within the catalog information for each department. Those courses with a MCOM prefix that are common to many disciplines within the college can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

• Mass Communications (MCOM)

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