1. The student must complete 33 hours of approved coursework, PLUS THREE HOURS OF COMPS CREDIT, for a total of 36 credits . An average overall GPA of 3.00 (B) must be sustained during this coursework, and at least 30 of these hours must be in the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication.
2. The student must take at least 15 hours of approved graduate-level coursework in an area of concentration within the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. The student must take at least nine hours of approved coursework in another graduate area of concentration inside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. This constitutes the auxiliary field in the student's M.A. program.
   
3. The student may take no more than six hours of approved graduate coursework in a field outside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. These hours should supplement the student's area of concentration.
   
4. The student may take a maximum of three hours of 4000-level coursework either inside or outside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. These hours may be counted as part of the student's field of concentration, but they must be selected in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. Undergraduate courses taken to fulfill undergraduate deficiencies will not count as undergraduate courses credited to the graduate program.
   
5. Procedures for taking the comprehensive exam:

1. Students must obtain the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies before proceeding to take the comprehensive exam. The Director must be informed of the student's intention to take the exam in the semester prior to taking the exam. Approval will be based on the prospect that the student has already completed at least 33 or the 36 hours of coursework required for completion of the degree. The letter of application to take the exam must indicate the area of concentration and the auxiliary field being pursued by the student. The area of concentration must be selected from one of the following: Speech Communication (i.e., Interpersonal and Organizational Studies), Mass Communication Studies, or Public Relations Studies. The auxiliary field must be selected from one of the remaining options. In the letter of notification, the student must list all courses taken and indicate whether all prerequisites, if any, have been fulfilled.
   
2. Student must register for COMM 6398: Comprehensive Examination during the semester they take the comprehensive exam. The course will be graded Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U), and it will count towards the 36 required hours of coursework.
   
3. The exam will comprise six questions, and it is divided into two three-hour sessions over two days. The questions will focus on the field of communication as a whole (1), on the area of concentration as a whole (1, on three areas of specialization within the area of concentration (3), and on the auxiliary field (1). Course texts are the reading list. In order to pass the exam, students must pass all the questions to receive a Master's degree.
   
4. Students who do not pass comprehensive exams at the first sitting may retake the failed areas when the exams are next scheduled. Receipt of a Master's degree is contingent on the passing of the exam.
   
5. No entire exam, question, or questions shall be attempted more than two times. Note to students preparing for comprehensive examinations: You are expected to use your coursework to prepare yourself to pass your comprehensive examinations. Do not assume that because you passed your classes that you will necessarily pass your comprehensive examinations. The student is solely responsible for acquiring enough information and being able to use it effectively to pass comprehensive examinations.

For Further Information

If you don't see what you're looking for on this page, or need materials sent to you, please contact us below:

For graduate level information, please contact Dr. Martha Haun: mhaun@central.uh.edu or 713-743-2886

For undergraduate level information, please contact Les Oliver: loliver@uh.edu or 713-743-2875.

Graduate Program FAQs

For more information, please consult the graduate handbook on Requirements page

What do I need to do to apply?

Prospective students need to 1) Submit official transcript(s) from undergraduate degree, 2) complete the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) and request scores be mailed to UH, and 3) submit a $25.00 application fee check to the Admissions Office (129 E. Cullen). You should allow at least two weeks for processing once your application is complete. Applications cannot be processed until all three components (transcript, GRE scores, and application fee) have been received. You will receive a letter from the CLASS dean’s office notifying you of the application decision. Application deadlines are printed in the course bulletin (schedule) and are generally 4-6 weeks prior to the beginning of each semester. An online application is now available as well at http://www.applytexas.org

What are the admission criteria?

There are two levels of possible admission: unconditional and conditional. To be considered eligible for unconditional admittance, students must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours attempted, and competitive scores in both the verbal and math/quantitative sections of the GRE. Since this level of admission is the highest, an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 is also preferred. Students who have earned several grades of C or below in undergraduate communication courses will not be deemed eligible for this level of recommendation. To be eligible for conditional admittance, students must have a minimum 2.7 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate hours attempted, and GRE competitive scores that are somewhat below the average of 500 in the Verbal and 500 in the Quantitative. Students who have earned several grades of C or below in undergraduate communication courses will not be eligible for this level of recommendation. Conditional admittance requires that the student maintain at least a “B” average in the first 12 hours attempted in graduate school. Conditional students must submit a course adjustment form (available from the director of graduate studies) requesting that their status be changed after those 12 hours have been completed satisfactorily. Additional factors such as, the number of semesters reflecting poor grades, letters of recommendation, and the student’s purpose statement are also weighed in the admission decision making process. It is thus possible that unsuccessful applicants will meet some of the preceding criteria, and yet fail to meet the remaining criteria. Note also that meeting all of the minimum standards does not guarantee acceptance, as graduate school admittance is highly competitive.

What if I don’t have an undergraduate degree in a communication field?

Successful applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in communication will be required to complete up to 12 hours of undergraduate leveling courses that do NOT count toward their graduate degree. The selection of these courses is somewhat flexible and dictated by the area in which the student intends to concentrate at the graduate level. (see below)

What courses do I take for leveling?

Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in communication are required to take up to 12 hours of undergraduate courses.

Subject to the Graduate Director and relevant graduate faculty review of applicants’ transcripts and prior syllabi, Public Relations students may be advised to complete COMM 3368 Principles of Public Relations, COMM 3369 Public Relations Writing (which has a prereq of COMM 2310), and 4368 Public Relations Campaigns or COMM 4364 Rhetoric and Criticism of PR Discourse, or COMM 4367 Issues Management.

Subject to the Graduate Director and relevant graduate faculty review of applicants’ transcripts and prior syllabi, Mass Communication/Media Studies students may be advised to complete COMM 1301 Media and Society, COMM 1302 Communication Theory, and courses in media studies at the 3000 and 4000-level such as COMM 3372 Gender and Media, COMM 3376 Media Effects, COMM 4372 Media, Power, and Society, COMM 4375 Propaganda, and 4370 Social Aspects of Film.

Subject to the Graduate Director and relevant graduate faculty review of applicants’ transcripts and prior syllabi, Speech Communication/Interpersonal or Organizational Communication students may be advised to complete COMM 1302 Communication Theory, COMM 1333 Interpersonal Communication, and courses at the 3000 and 4000-level such as COMM 4337 TV and the Family, COMM 4338 Family in Popular Culture, COMM 4331 Persuasion, COMM 4335 Crisis Communication, COMM 4357 Intercultural Communication and Organizations, COMM 4355 Organizational Communication.

Concurrent enrollment may be permitted; please be aware that undergraduate courses are very popular and therefore typically close early in the registration process.

May I enroll as a post-baccalaureate student?

Post-baccalaureate status is reserved for those students who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to: a) enroll in their leveling courses while they are awaiting the completion of their application materials or b) enroll in undergraduate courses to raise their GPA. Graduate status is required to enroll in graduate-level courses. If post-baccalaureate students complete graduate courses, there is no guarantee that those courses will eventually be counted as graduate classes. Post-baccalaureate application forms are available in the admissions office 129 E. Cullen.

Where do I take the GRE? How do I prepare for the GRE?

Test administration information is available at www.las.uh.edu/uts or from GRE Student Services (204 SSC, 713 743-5386). There are numerous GRE preparation resources (including sample tests) available in book stores and libraries. The Jack J. Valenti School of Communication requires a minimum score of 500 on both verbal and math/quantitative sections of the GRE. The analytical score is not considered.

What is my degree plan?

Graduate students do not have a degree plan. It is expected that the individual student, in consultation with the director of graduate studies and their professors, will select the courses that best suit the completion of their degree objectives. All students must complete the two required courses: COMM 6300 Research Methods and COMM 6302 Communication Theory.

What are the required courses?

All students must complete the two required courses: COMM 6300 Research Methods and COMM 6302 Communication Theory. COMM 6300 Research Methods is only offered in the spring semester; COMM 6302 Communication Theory is only offered in the fall semester. Concurrent enrollment is permitted in other course work.

Who is my advisor?

It is also a good idea to discuss your research, career goals, and concerns about the program with professors whose interests are similar to your interests. It is the student’s responsibility to find an advisor, particularly in the case of thesis students. If you still have questions, please call 713 743-8575.

How do I tailor the program to my interests?

It is expected that in each course you will select a topic of interest for the research paper produced in that course. For example, if you are interested in the effect of media violence on children, you could research relevant theories and research on that topic in COMM 6300 Research Methods, COMM 6302 Communication Theory, or in any of the media studies courses.

How do I enroll for a special problems (independent study) course COMM 6398?

Students may enroll in 1 special problems courses with an individual professor. A special problems course is 3 credit hours. The appropriate section number is available each semester from the graduate administrative assistant at (713) 743-8575). The student must complete a general petition form outlining the nature of the independent study, the product to be produced and evaluated, and how often student and professor will meet throughout the semester. The professor must sign the general petition form and submit it to the director of graduate studies. General petition forms are available in 101 Comms Bldg..

What courses may I take outside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication?

You may take up to 6 hours of graduate courses outside of the School of Communication. It is anticipated that the student will make a choice that best fits with their academic goals; for example, a public relations student may find courses in business management beneficial to them. Students must submit a general petition form requesting that the course be counted toward their graduate degree. General petition forms are available in 101 Comms Bldg.

Can I take undergraduate classes? (non-leveling)

Graduate students may take one 4000-level undergraduate course, 3 credit hours, that may count toward their graduate degree. Students in these courses are expected to work out an arrangement with the professor to write an extra research paper for the course. Students should complete a general petition form requesting that the 4000-level course be counted toward their graduate degree. General petition forms are available in 101 Comms Bldg.

How many courses do I need to take for the thesis option? Comprehensive exam option?

Thesis students must complete 24 course hours (8 courses) in addition to the 6 hours of thesis credits (total 30 hours). Students may enroll for thesis credit for more than one semester; however, students must be enrolled for 6 hours of thesis credit during the semester in which they intend to graduate. A thesis grade is conferred only upon the completion of the thesis. Theses “in progress” are given the grade of in progress for each semester until it is completed; grades of incomplete are not available for theses in progress.

Comprehensive exam students must complete 33 course hours (11 courses) in addition to the 3 hours comprehensive exam credits (total 36 hours). Students must have completed, or be very near completion, 33 of their course hours before becoming eligible to enroll in comprehensive exams.

How do I enroll for thesis hours?

There are two course numbers for thesis hours: COMM 6399 and COMM 7399. Section numbers for each are available each semester from the graduate administrative assistant at 713 743-8575. Each professor is given individual section numbers each semester that are not published due to space restrictions. Students must register in BOTH courses the semester in which they intend to graduate

How do I enroll for comprehensive exams? What’s the comprehensive exam process?

The director of graduate studies is the proctor for the comprehensive exams. The course number and section number are listed in the course bulletin (schedule). Students enrolled in comprehensive exams do not meet; exam dates are scheduled typically just after the midterm point in each semester. This allows the student time to review coursework and allows professors time to evaluate the responses. The director of graduate studies will notify you of the results. Comprehensive exam questions are evaluated individually on a pass/fail basis; all questions must receive an evaluation of pass in order to pass the exam. Students who fail any part of the comprehensive exam must re-enroll for comprehensive exam credit in the semester in which they intend to re-take the portion of the exam they fail. Grades of incomplete are not available for these students.

Comprehensive exams are taken over a two-day period; typically at an office computer located in the COMMS Bldg. Day One consists of three questions: a general communication question, a question on the primary area of emphasis, and a question on the secondary area of emphasis.* Day Two consists of three questions from the primary area of emphasis. Exams are administered during normal business hours.

* a secondary area of emphasis is similar to a “minor” from one of the other areas of concentration. For example, PR students often take organizational communication classes.

What is the process for completing a thesis?

Students should begin as early as possible in their academic program to identify a research topic and a professor to serve as chair in directing their thesis. The student then submits 7 copies of a 2-3 page thesis statement, approved by the thesis chair, to the director of graduate studies. The thesis statement outlines the research project, lists the chair and committee members,* and the student’s course work, including grades. The signature of the thesis chair is required. (A sample thesis statement is available from the director of graduate studies). The director of graduate studies then receives feedback on the statement from the graduate committee and communicates that feedback to the thesis chair and/or student. Once the thesis statement is approved and a signed copy is placed in the student’s file (located in 101 COMMS), the student defends the prospectus (typically the first three chapters of the thesis) before their committee. Once the prospectus has been successfully defended and the signed copy is in the student’s file, the student may complete the remainder of the thesis and schedule a defense date. Students should note the deadline for submission of completed theses to the dean’s office in each semester’s course bulletin (schedule) and schedule their defense date accordingly. As a professional courtesy, the thesis prospectus and the completed thesis are required to be delivered to committee members at least one week prior to defense dates (two weeks prior is preferred). Thesis students are encouraged to examine bound theses completed by former SOC graduate students located on the 3^{rd floor of the M.D. Anderson Library. A form with instructions on how to prepare the thesis (margins, paper type, fonts, etc.) is available in 101 COMMS or from the CLASS dean’s office (402 AH).}

*In addition to the committee chair, committee membership must include at least one professor from inside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication and one professor from outside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication – i.e. history, business, sociology, etc.

Jack J. Valenti School of Communication Graduate/PB Student Grievance Policy

• Every effort shall be made by the graduate/PB student and the faculty members(s) involved to settle their differences amicably and informally to redress the grievance. If appropriate or necessary, the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication director shall participate in this informal effort to resolve the grievance. If appropriate, the aid of a disinterested mediator should be sought to aid resolution.
• In the event that an informal resolution is not possible, the graduate/PB student may petition the School of Communication director by filing a formal written complaint within 10 working days after the decision is mutually made that the grievance cannot be settled informally. The letter should provide details regarding the complaint and redress sought. After receipt of the letter, the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication director must respond in writing within 10 working days
• The student must file official notice of an intention to grieve within 30 days of the point in time when the grievant has knowledge or should have had knowledge of the problem being grieved. Within 60 days of filing the intent to grieve notice, the grievant must submit a formal grievance.
• In filing the formal grievance, the grievant must state 1) when he/she discovered the issue being grieved, 2) what issue is being grieved and provide evidence to support the grievance, 3) what is the desired solution. The grievance committee must meet within 10 workings days following receipt of the written complaint.
• The Jack J. Valenti School of Communication grievance committee will consist of 3 members: 2 full-time tenure track faculty who have taught a graduate course within the last five years and 1 graduate student. The director of graduate studies will appoint faculty members and the student from a pool of people willing to serve and who are not involved in any aspect of the grievance. All three committee members will have voting privileges; they will elect their own chair.
• The committee will observe the following hearing guidelines: attendance is limited to the grievance committee, the grievant, the grievant's witness (if the student requests one to be present), and the faculty member(s) against whom the grievance is filed. The grievant and the faculty member against whom the grievance is filed shall not be in the hearing room at the same time. The grievant's witness is not allowed to speak and cannot provide legal representation. No recording of the proceedings is allowed. Each party is given one hour to present their case, followed by questions from the committee. The committee will review the written grievance and may request other documents as it sees fit. If the grievance is filed against the graduate committee as a whole, the director of graduate studies may speak for the graduate committee.
• Notification of the hearing schedule to all parties must be done in writing through certified mail with return receipt requested.
• The committee has 5 working days following the committee hearing to provide a written report in which the committee articulates, at a minimum, a brief summary of the allegations made and the respondent's rebuttal, the findings of the committee (i.e. the panel's judgment of the facts), and the recommendations of the panel. The written report must be distributed to the parties involved through registered mail with return receipt requested.
• The grievant may appeal the grievance committee's decision in writing to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The appeal must be filed in writing within 10 working days after receipt of registered mail notifying grievant of the committee's decision.

Graduate Application Deadline

Please see graduate advisor.