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

This 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 and will even be permitted to apply six hours of advanced undergraduate credit toward the master’s program.  These students will then complete the MA in two 12-hour semesters. Academic advisors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will guide students through the process every step of the way.  The combined 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 program will offer both our students and our faculty opportunities to cultivate stronger mentoring relationships, which often broaden students’ career interests.

¹

COMM course may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

²

First semester, first time in college students must take COMM 101 and COMM 291.

³

Select from: COMM 100 to 499 (except COMM 203, COMM 243), CSCE 110, CSCE 206; ISTM 250, ISTM 310, ISTM 315, ISTM 325; ITSV 274; JOUR 102, JOUR 301/COMM 307; MGMT 209, MGMT 309; WGST 407/COMM 407.

⁴

ENGL 203 will count toward the Communication requirement or the Literature directed elective requirement, but not both.

⁵

Minor to be selected from among approved university minors. Consult with advisor regarding how to declare desired minor. Courses fulfilling core curriculum requirements may apply to the minor and therefore some of these courses may become electives. Student must earn a C or better in each course applied to the minor. Minors will range between 15 and 18 hours.

⁶

Course will count toward undergraduate degree and graduate degree.

⁷

Courses will be selected in consultation with the Graduate Director.

⁸

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

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.  

Students take 24 credit hours of the required undergraduate telecommunication media studies program core courses and 9-10 credit hours of telecommunication media studies elective courses for a total of 33 credit hours. At least 12 credits must be at the upper-division level. At least 12 credits must be taken in residence at Texas A&M University. A minimum grade of C in each undergraduate telecommunication media studies course. No more than 3 credit hours of COMM 484; no more than 6 credit hours of COMM 485.

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