Department of Communication Studies
Centennial Hall Room 205
Telephone: 512-245-2165 Fax: 512-245-3138
http://www.finearts.txstate.edu/commstudies
Communication studies examines the creation, expression, and analysis of messages in our personal, professional, and public lives. Graduate level coursework focuses upon research about how communication is related to social intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in personal, professional and civic settings. Students explore interpersonal communication, organizational communication, rhetoric and criticism, health communication, and communication of diversity and inclusion. Alumni excel in diverse cultural, professional, social, and personal settings as influential leaders, solution-oriented collaborators, highly trained researchers, talented writers, and engaging speakers.
Key to our graduate students' and M.A. program's success is our dedicated faculty and staff -- a cohesive team that draws from their unified expertise to help students understand the vital connections between research and teaching inside and outside the classroom. Our faculty members are active in national and international associations; publish their research in books, professional and academic journals; secure funding to support cutting-edge research; create podcasts; win awards for teaching excellence; and serve our communities.
Facilities
The department is located in Centennial Hall which offers outstanding resources including several graduate assistant office suites, computer labs, conference rooms, classrooms equipped with comprehensive instructional technologies, a state of the art teaching theater, and our new BioComm laboratory, which focuses upon physiological responses before, during, and after engaging in communication.
Financial Assistance
Graduate Assistantships offered at competitive stipends with waiver of out-of-state tuition are available to qualified applicants. Assistantship responsibilities include teaching communication fundamentals, assisting the director of forensics, or assisting faculty with research. Most assistantships are assigned in spring to begin in the fall term, but assistantships may be available for students who wish to begin the graduate program in the spring or summer. Students who wish to apply for an assistantship must complete an application form that is found on the department's graduate program website.
The department offers limited scholarships for currently enrolled students. Also, the College of Fine Arts and Communication and The Graduate College provide a variety of scholarships for new and returning graduate students. See the various web sites for details.
Students who wish to travel to professional conferences for presenting research may qualify for travel funding. These funds are often used to offset a portion of the costs associated with travel and lodging at conferences of our state, regional, national, and international professional associations. Additional travel support may be available by applying to The Graduate College.
