To study communication at Texas A&M University is to be involved in one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most nationally ranked programs in the country. Whether just entering the university as a freshman or pursuing high-level graduate work as a doctoral student, everyone who studies at the Department of communication is actively involved in the study, research, and practice of communication to become better scholars, citizens, and professionals. The Department of Communication offers a Ph.D and Direct Admit M.A./Ph.D. at the graduate level and three undergraduate degrees, the B.A. in Communication, the B.A. in Telecommunication Media Studies, and the B.S. in Telecommunication Media Studies.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication (COMM-BA) provides the theoretical, historical, and practical tools by which students describe communication phenomena, interpret them, evaluate them, and when appropriate, transform the world around them. Communication provides students with a broad liberal arts education while at the same time focusing on vital communication skills such as public speaking, argumentation, and technical communication, as well as other communication proficiencies, such as small group interaction, interviewing, rhetorical criticism, research skills, blogging, and communication technology literacy. Students use their communication skills to become leaders in business, non-profit, social, religious and political contexts. Some students pursue advanced degrees in communication, law, business, or religion while others take communication-related positions in marketing and sales, training and human resources, public relations, communication media, or prepare for teaching careers.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunication Media Studies (TCMS-BA) focuses on media industries, technologies, and communication systems in cultural and historical contexts, their audience processes and effects, and social implications of the media. Students take courses that address media industries, law and policy, technology and society, media audiences, processes, and effects, and the theory, history, and criticism of media, culture, and communication. The curriculum is designed to educate citizens for a productive future in a changing world. Our students may become industry leaders, government regulators, spokespeople, politicians, writers, artists, activists, and informed citizens.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunication Media Studies (TCMS-BS) overlaps considerably with the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts degree, but is more directed and emphasizes developing quantitative skills in contrast to the more flexible, liberal arts media-oriented degree. A degree in Telecommunication Media Studies is useful in a broad variety of careers, from media and telecommunication industries, through communication-related positions in business, government, or non-profit organizations, to higher education.
GRADUATE DEGREES
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication (COMM-PhD) provides the opportunity for students to work with nationally ranked faculty to pursue cutting edge research in one of four areas of specialization: (1) health communication, (2) organizational communication, (3) rhetoric and public affairs, and (4) telecommunication and media studies. However, students are encouraged to pursue their own independent course of study that may overlap with multiple areas, thus encouraging creativity, exploration, and collaboration. In addition to its ability to adapt to a broad spectrum of interests, another strength of the doctoral program at Texas A&M is accessibility of faculty and purposely small classes that allow for a great deal of student-faculty interaction. Department Faculty exemplify intellectual curiosity and excellence in scholarship; as a result, our doctoral students are themselves very active, productive scholars, participating frequently in professional meetings, publishing their own work, and being acknowledged for excellence in research and teaching. The graduate program has a strong placement record with 100% of the students who have received doctorate having been placed at universities, research centers, or corporations. The Department of Communication offers two paths toward a doctoral degree—a traditional 4 year (64 Hour) track for students entering with a Masters degree, and a 5 year (96 Hour) direct admit track for exceptional students entering with a Bachelors degree.