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School of Journalism

Graduate

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Graduate Admissions

An applicant must meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School as well as the following program requirements:

  • bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
  • basic courses in journalism, which can be achieved via bridging courses while enrolled in the graduate program
  • 3.0 GPA or above and acceptable portfolio for unconditional admission

All questions about the graduate program should be directed to the Graduate Student Coordinator (mayborngraduateinstitute@unt.edu) at 940-565-4564 or in room 205 of Sycamore Hall.

International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based,) 213 from a computerized TOEFL or 79 Internet-based test. Visit UNT International or contact the International Admissions and Recruitment Office at 940-565-2442 for more information about International Admissions.

Bridging requirements vary. Students with degrees in areas other than journalism may be required to complete from 6 to 12 hours of undergraduate journalism courses. Graduate and undergraduate courses may be taken concurrently.

Admission Procedures

Two admission procedures, one for the Toulouse Graduate School and one for the Mayborn Graduate Institute, are required and may occur simultaneously.

Please visit the Toulouse Graduate School website. Domestic and international students both follow the process on this website to apply to UNT. The Toulouse Graduate School will receive the online application, required application fee and transcripts from all college work past high school.

The Mayborn has different portfolio requirements for the three different advanced degrees. An applicant must email their portfolio documents to the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism (mayborngraduateinstitute@unt.edu). The applicant must provide materials that will demonstrate to the Mayborn Graduate Review Committee that they will succeed in the journalism graduate program. An ideal portfolio will reflect a contribution to the intellectual and professional diversity of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism and its academic and professional reputation. The Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism may also consider an applicant’s potential to enhance the diversity of the university.

Contents of the Portfolio

Portfolio for the Master of Science in Digital Communication Analytics:

  • Statement of Purpose – A purpose statement stating your goals and rationale for applying to the MS-DCA program with a brief description of your career and research expectations with regard to work and further education.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae – This document should address educational background, previous work experience, publications, performances, exhibitions, previous research experience, and community involvement.
  • Letters of Recommendation – These must be on letterhead and may be emailed to MaybornGraduateInstitute@unt.edu. Please submit at least two letters from individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities. Preferably, at least one recommendation should come from the last academic institution attended. One letter may be from a current or past employer.
  • Writing/Work Samples – Submit a minimum of three writing samples or examples of your previous work. Samples may be news stories, technical writing, scripts, photography, design samples, speeches, copy, to cite a few.

Contents of the Portfolio for the Master of Arts in Journalism and for the Master of Journalism:

  • Statement of Purpose – A purpose statement stating your goals and rationale for applying to the Mayborn Master’s program with a brief description of your career and research expectations with regard to work and further education.
  • Research Paper – A paper of five to ten pages long combining analysis, research and documentation. It can be a paper previously written by the applicant.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae – This document should address educational background, previous work experience, publications, performances, exhibitions, previous research experience, and community involvement.
  • Letters of Recommendation – These must be on letterhead and may be emailed to MaybornGraduateInstitute@unt.edu. Please submit at least three letters from individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or professional abilities. Preferably, at least one recommendation should come from the last academic institution attended. One letter may be from a current or past employer.
  • Writing Samples – Submit a minimum of three writing samples. Samples may be news stories, technical writing, scripts, copy, book reports, public relations proposals or similar.
  • Work Samples – These can be examples of your previous work. Samples may be photography, speeches, design samples, web design, or poetry, to cite a few.
  • Graduate Applicant Self-Evaluation – Download

Purpose of the Portfolio

1. For the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism to evaluate the applicant’s:

  • Likelihood of success in a master’s program
  • Competence in writing and completing a project
  • Strengths and weaknesses in writing, and then to provide appropriate academic guidance
  • Academic objectives and needs for ensuring long-term professional success

2. For the student to evaluate his or her:

  • Ability as a writer, journalist, researcher and critical thinker
  • Skills possessed and skills needed in relation to the goals of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism and his or her professional/academic objectives
  • Understanding of the continuing nature of journalistic development and communication theory

3. For prospective employers to one day evaluate the student’s writing as part of the hiring process

Final Reminders

By submitting this portfolio in your name, you are attesting that you are the creator of this content. Collaborative work must be identified clearly with the name(s) attached to the work and/or appropriate references cited. Plagiarism will result in automatic denial of admission.

As mentioned above, all work must be submitted to the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism. The information is noted below. The portfolio will not be considered complete until all pieces are received.

Holistic Review Process

Multiple Criteria are considered to provide a holistic and comprehensive evaluation of the applicant. The Mayborn Graduate Committee will review each applicant individually, using a standardized application review form. Upon completion of individual reviews, the committee will accept or deny the applicant’s candidacy. The committee will submit to the Mayborn Director the names of those recommended for admission.

At least three committee members will review all applications under the direction of the committee chair or the Mayborn Director.