Mass Communication
The program is geared toward working professionals with or without a mass communication background to provide them with updated skills. The curriculum blends theory and research with professional mass communication skills-based courses. Most students complete the program in two years while working full time. Students can earn internship credit and also have the opportunity to enroll in study abroad courses.
The program prepares students to function in today’s diverse, complex media environment.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Michel Haigh
mmh204@txstate.edu
512.245.2656
Old Main (OM), Room 224
“My newfound knowledge of new media and internet communications has allowed me to excel in a role where I’m constantly able to bring new ideas and perspectives to my workplace.”
— Jordan Slabaugh, Vice President of Marketing, Wayin
Course Work
Students can earn a master's degree in mass communication or choose to earn a master's in mass communication with a concentration. Concentrations allow students to take nine concentrated hours. Students also choose between writing a scholarly thesis or preparing a professional project.
Courses address a variety of topics such as media writing, video storytelling, web design, content management, strategic communication campaigns, crisis communication, and international communication issues. Students can take classes in face-to-face, online, or hybrid formats.
| Degree | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. | 36 | Professional Project | No minor |
| M.A. | 33 | Thesis | No minor |
Graduates from the program are leaders, innovators and strategists in media organizations such as The New York Times, CNN, NPR, Spredfast, Volusion, and more.
Program Mission
The mission of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication is to pursue excellence. The program strives to cultivate strong professional skills to prepare students for careers in mass communication by educating them in the theoretical foundations, research, analytical and digital concepts needed to succeed in a changing media industry. The program promotes diversity, scholarly integrity, and creativity to produce the next generation of industry leaders.
Program Faculty
Graduate faculty have varied expertise. They have past industry experience and continue to stay current on industry trends. Graduate faculty guide students’ theses or projects.
Career Options
Students completing the master of arts in mass communication work in various positions such as web producers, digital strategy/technology consultants, web and social media editors, media relations managers, editors, strategic communication managers, and multimedia journalists. Students have also launched their own media businesses offering digital and social media consultancy services.
Application Process
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | February 1 | February 1 |
| Spring | No Admission | No Admission |
| Summer I | No Admission | No Admission |
| Summer II | No Admission | No Admission |
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Application Deadline This program has a firm deadline. |
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Funding Information For scholarship, fellowship or assistantship consideration, applications must be completed by the deadline above. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents
- resume/CV including information on your educational background, work experience, and extracurricular activities
- statement of purpose including a professional narrative discussing how the skills learned in the curriculum featured in the M.A. program will be applied in current or future careers. The statement should be no longer than 500 words in length.
- two letters of recommendation from individuals competent to assess your capacity to pursue graduate education in mass communication. If you did not major in mass communication as an undergraduate student, at least one of the two letters must be from a professor in your undergraduate major. If you are transferring from another institution, at least one of the two letters must be from a professor in your previous institution.
*Effective Fall 2023
- two samples of multimedia production, writing, or other media materials produced in class, at an internship, or on the job. A link to online materials may be included in a document that is uploaded into the application system. Print documents may just be uploaded.
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 100 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 68 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 7.0 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.5
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.