Master of Arts in Communication

Shape the Conversation

Communication is at the center of human life. From the dynamics of interpersonal conversation to the culture-shaping impact of mass media, words and other forms of conveying meaning have incredible power.

Learn to captivate audiences and develop engaging campaigns with a Master of Arts in communication from The University of Texas at Tyler. Prepare to craft and lead communication strategies in business, media, government or academia that solve problems, build an organization’s brand and presence and touch lives in East Texas and around the world.

Why Earn a Master’s in Communication at UT Tyler?

You have a way with words and enjoy crafting language that connects with others. At the same time, you’re interested in exploring theoretical questions about how communication functions in different cultural contexts and how it can work better to bring people together and help organizations reach their goals.

However you’d like to get involved in this dynamic field, an MA in communication from UT Tyler explores the power and impact of language and expands your theoretical and practical knowledge base.

As you look ahead professionally or toward doctoral studies, understand what sets UT Tyler’s program apart:

• A Balanced Focus: Lay the groundwork for a career in academia or industry with coursework that gives you a solid grounding in theory and research methods, as well as applications in journalism and organizational communication.
• Formats: Design your journey forward. Thesis, project and comprehensive examination options let you fine-tune your preparation for your career goals.
• Experienced Mentors: Learn from active scholars, researchers and practitioners with decades of experience in journalism and public communication. A low student-to-faculty ratio means a high level of individualized attention and support.
• Research Opportunities: Engage in original research with faculty mentorship, and share your findings with professors and fellow students through our Colloquium program.
• Flexibility: Deepen your expertise without interrupting your professional career with evening classes available on campus.
• Affordability: We help offset our already low tuition with graduate assistantships, scholarships and other forms of financial support. Assistantship assignments additionally help you grow your résumé: gain experience teaching and designing courses while receiving a stipend.

Curriculum

The master’s in communication is a 36-credit-hour course of study that you can complete in two years. The curriculum combines theoretical and practical aspects to get you ready for doctoral study, a teaching role at a junior college or a mid-level or advanced position in media or the business world. The Department of Communication has particular strengths in journalism and speech communication.

You’ll begin with core courses in communication theory and research methods that serve as a foundation for scholarly work and critical reflection on important questions within the discipline.

Following that, you have the freedom to customize your course of study based on your experience, aspirations and professional goals. Choose from a variety of electives to deepen your preparation in the areas where you’d like to focus. Examples include Mass Media and Popular Culture, Seminar in Organizational Communication and New Media Theories and Applications.

Based on the format you select, you’ll additionally conduct original research for a thesis, undertake an independent project requiring you to apply what you’ve learned or prepare to take a comprehensive exam.

During your studies, you will develop your abilities to:

• Understand communication as a complex social process, focusing on both traditional forms and new media.
• Communicate effectively, thoughtfully and with sensitivity in a variety of contexts and mediums.
• Critically analyze and evaluate messages using theory-based reasoning and various analytical techniques.
• Adapt to unexpected situations through effective communication, leadership, teamwork, proper time management and creative problem-solving.
• Collect, analyze, synthesize and interpret large amounts of qualitative and statistical data from multiple sources.

See All MA in Communication Degree Requirements

What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Communication?

Thoughtful, strategic and skilled communication matters for every business and organization. As a trained communication professional, you’ll find opportunities to use your skills in well-paying jobs in various contexts.

Are you interested in theory and research? Your master’s degree provides the groundwork for doctoral studies and a career in communication scholarship and education. This credential also equips you for many teaching jobs at the junior college level.

Or, pursue a career in public service, using your communication skills as a speech writer or a campaign manager. Accurate reporting is more important than ever; help ensure the flow of accessible information that is the lifeblood of a functioning democracy as a journalist.

Take a leadership role in public relations as a public relations specialist or a public relations manager. You’ll help organizations craft their communication strategy to engage fruitfully with their audiences.

Leverage your expertise in communication and data analysis for a career as a marketing consultant or market research analyst.

How to Apply

Graduate Admission Requirements

Admission to the master’s in communication program requires that you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for your upper-level classes. If your undergraduate studies did not include a major or minor in journalism, mass communication or speech communication, you may be asked to take additional courses as determined by the communication graduate faculty.

Your application must include the following:

• A completed online application.
• Two favorable letters of recommendation.
• A writing sample from undergraduate work, such as a term paper. If significant time passed since an applicant was an undergraduate and access to previous work is inaccessible, the department will provide a writing prompt for the applicant to demonstrate writing ability at the graduate level.
• Additional considerations for admission may include your demonstrated commitment to your chosen field of study; your involvement and level of responsibility in non-academic matters, including extracurricular activities, employment and community service; and your socioeconomic background.
• Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a non-U.S. institution must submit the results of an English proficiency examination.

Review All Application Requirements

See General Graduate School Admissions Requirements

Tuition

Total Program Tuition Cost: Estimated tuition for full-time, in-state, on-campus enrollment is $15,660. Tuition varies by delivery method and hours taken per semester. Calculate your estimated tuition with the tuition calculator.

Important Dates

August 15

Application deadline for students wishing to begin the program in the following fall.

October 1

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens for the upcoming academic year.

December 20

Deadline for students seeking admission for the following spring. Note: International applicants are only eligible to begin in the fall semester.