The combined 5-year Bachelor-Master program provides a direct pathway for BS COMM majors to transition seamlessly into the MA COMM program thereby earning both degrees in five or fewer years.

The combined program begins each fall semester. Interested students will apply for the combined program in the spring of the junior year and must have two full undergraduate terms remaining at the time of application. Accepted students will take one graduate course in each of the senior semesters while they complete the undergraduate coursework. These students will then complete the MA.  Academic advisors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will guide students through the process every step of the way.  The ABM option increases students’ opportunities to learn and grow while they are here at Texas A&M University. By allowing students additional time to pursue more advanced classes, they have increased opportunities to take advantage of the rich options our department has to offer.

This is a great choice for the many students who come to Texas A&M University with credit by examination, dual credit, and community college credit. The additional year for this program gives these particular students who would otherwise graduate in just two or three years, the time to become involved in student organizations, to take on leadership positions in the university, to pursue career path-altering internships, to participate in our study abroad programs, to collaborate with faculty and graduate students in their research projects, and to compete for fellowships and admission into other Texas A&M programs that can expand their horizons. A Master’s degree is value-added and this degree will offer both our students and our faculty opportunities to cultivate stronger mentoring relationships, which often broaden students’ horizons and expand their career interests.

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First semester, first time in college students must take COMM 101 and COMM 291. Do NOT take SPCH 1311 elsewhere to fulfill this requirement.

²

Must make a grade of C or better.

³

MATH 140 is a prerequisite for MATH 142. Choose MATH 140 if you plan to take MATH 142.

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Except COMM 100-499.

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Both MATH classes must be completed prior to enrolling in COMM 308.

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Select from any 100-499 course not used elsewhere. Includes 12-18 hours of courses used to satisfy the required minor or certificate. Students must earn either a minor to be selected from among university-approved minors OR a certificate from among approved Department of Communication and Journalism certificates. The minor is required unless waived upon completion of the certificate. Consult with an advisor regarding how to declare the desired minor or certificate. Courses fulfilling other requirements may apply to the certificate or the minor; therefore, some of these courses may become general electives.

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W-Class. See the list of approved writing intensive courses at writingcenter.tamu.edu.

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Student will select coursework in consultation with Graduate Director

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With pre-approval by the Graduate Director, students may select out of department graduate course.

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Course will count toward undergraduate degree and graduate degree.

 Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program.  See your academic advisor for further information.

The program includes a total of 156 hours, which up to 6 hours may be applied toward both the Bachelor of Science in Communication and the Master of Arts in Communication (Non-Thesis).