Communication & Film

Prospective Graduate Student FAQS

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How to Apply

How do I apply?
What is your admissions deadline?
What documents are necessary for admission?
What kind of writing sample do you require for admission?
Who should I ask to provide me a letter of recommendation?

Answers to these questions are on the department's admissions webpage.

Tuition and Funding

How much is tuition?
For the most up to date tuition costs please visit Tuition Costs/Fees  

Do you offer graduate assistantships?
Is funding available for conference travel?
Yes. More details are available on the department's assistantships and awards webpage.

Graduate Courses

Do you offer online graduate programs?
Yes, the MA in Communication Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Health Communication are offered online.

What concentrations in graduate study does your department offer?
At the master's-level we offer two concentrations: Communication Studies and Film and Video Production. More details on these concentrations can be found on the department's MA Program webpage.

At the doctoral-level we offer the PhD in Communication with a concentration in Communication Studies. More details on areas of study can be found on the department's PhD Program webpage.

What are the core requirements for each degree?
Degree requirements can be found in the UofM Graduate Catalog.

Do MA and PhD students take courses outside of the department?
Yes, they do. All coursework, however, needs to be approved by the student's advisory committee if it is to be applied to the degree.

When are your graduate courses typically offered?
All of our 7/8000-level courses are offered in the evening. 

International Students

Do you admit international students? What's the process?
Yes. In the last ten years, students from countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America have earned their MA or PhD in our programs. The process for prospective international students is the same as for domestic students, however, international students must provide additional information. More details are on the Graduate School's International Students webpage.

If I am not a United States citizen, can I get an assistantship?

Yes. See more details on International Graduate Student Admissions.

What are the English proficiency requirements?
See more details on International Graduate Student Admissions.

Current Graduate Student FAQS

How long does it usually take to complete the program?
Full-time students can complete the MA in two years and the PhD in four years.

How much time do I have to complete my degree?
Are there required courses that all graduate students must take?
Time limitations and degree requirements can be found in the UofM Graduate Catalog.

What do I have to do before I start classes as a new student?
Be sure to set up your UofM email when you are admitted and check it regularly for information from the University and the Department.

Who will advise me when I enter the program?
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) advises all incoming students on their course selection until they form a permanent advisory committee.

Registering For Classes

How do I register for courses?
You need to be cleared by your advisor first, and then you can register for courses through your MyMemphis portal. For step by step information on how to use your MyMemphis portal following this link.

How many credits do full-time students register for each semester?
Students enrolled full-time typically take nine (9) hours a semester during their coursework.

Who do I contact to get a PIN for registration?
Contact your advisor and ask to be CLEARED for registration.

I need a permit for a class, whom should I contact?
Contact the instructor of the course. The instructor will then request a permit be created on your behalf. You will receive an email once the permit has been put in.

The deadline for regular and late registration has passed, but I need to add a course. What should I do?
You'll need to follow the Late Add/Late Registration process from the registar's office.

If I want to take a graduate level course in another discipline, can I take the class and have it apply toward my degree?
Yes, as long as your committee approves it as part of your plan of study. No more than nine (9) hours outside of COMM may count toward the MA or PhD degree.

Can I apply graduate course credits from another institution to my degree?
Yes, see the Graduate Catalog for more details. 

Advisory Committees/Plan of Study/Comps

How do I form an advisory committee?
What is an advisory committee?
What is a plan of study?
When does the plan of study have to approved?
I am preparing for my comprehensive exams, but am a little confused. What are the steps?

Refer to the Department's Policies and Procedures page for answers to these questions.

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant

What tasks do you assign to graduate assistants?

Graduate assistants are assigned to teach two sections of COMM 2381 - Oral Communication per semester. Students who have completed coursework may request to teach other courses. See the Policies and Procedures page for more details.

What are the expectations for graduate assistants in the Department of Communication and Film?
In addition to their core tasks, graduate assistants must attend orientation sessions, academic presentations by faculty and peers, "special sessions" tied to professional development, job presentations by visiting candidates, and other similar kinds of gatherings scheduled on the departmental calendar. All graduate assistants who teach must also submit a yearly "Pedagogical Self-Assessment" to the Basic Course Coordinator.

Are there opportunities for Graduate Instructors to teach in the summer?
Yes, but there's no guarantee that every request can be granted. The Basic Course Director will solicit requests for summer teaching in the Spring.

Other

Is funding available for conference travel?
Yes, the department has limited funds to reimburse graduate assistants for travel. All graduate students, whether on assistantship or not, may request travel funds from UofM Graduate Student Association.

I have an outstanding balance on my account. Can I still register for classes?
Depends. Contact the Registrar to get more information on your status.

I am feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and it's affecting my schoolwork. How can I get help? Is there someone I can talk to?
Graduate students have access to resources through UofM's Counseling Center.