Applying to the Graduate Journalism Program
THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FALL 2014 IS DECEMBER 15, 2013. Applications are considered for fall admission only. We do not admit new students for the spring or summer semesters.
Follow these steps for GIAC
Go to the Graduate School web site and read the information about applying for graduate admission.
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Complete the online application at ApplyTexas.org. Note that you will submit your statement of purpose electronically, as part of the application. Also, you will be asked to enter the names and email addresses of the individuals you have asked to write letters of recommendation for you. They will be notified with instructions for submitting recommendation letters. Letters are not accepted by mail.
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Pay the fee ($65 for US applicants; $90 for international applicants). Your application will then load into the system in 1-2 working days, and you will be able to claim your EID and upload supporting documents, such as your resume and writing sample.
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See instructions for submitting a transcript at: http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/howtous.html.
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Submit required test scores. All applicants must submit official GRE quantitative/verbal scores. Scores must be sent from the testing agency to the University. The code for The University of Texas at Austin is 6882. International applicants must submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score.
After your online application has loaded into the system, you must upload the following documents via the online status check:
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Resume Include your educational and work background, software skills (such as FinalCut Pro, Photoshop, etc.), experience with student publications, part-time, and volunteer work.
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Writing sample (required for doctoral applicants, optional for master's applicants) Doctoral applicants should submit a copy of thesis chapters or other research such as conference papers or journal articles.
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Writing samples are optional for master's applicants, but are encouraged. Master's applicants typically submit a research paper (R&T and Hybrid tracks) or 3-5 published articles (Professional and Hybrid tracks).
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Portfolio (for Photojournalism students only) You will upload your portfolio as a miscellaneous admissions document via the supplemental documents upload page at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/ogs/forms/supp_docs.WBX.
- Each portfolio should contain 20 to 24 images in a PDF document. We are interested in images that deal with people and that show your storytelling skills. Please do not send vacation-type images. The ideal portfolio would be a number of your best single images and a photo story of six to eight images. Be sure to supply caption material for all images.
For more information please see:
GRE Information
Prospective students should take the GRE general test. We will use the highest of your combined (verbal and quantitative) scores. If you do not think your GRE score is good, we recommend that you still apply and consider taking the GRE again. Taking the GRE again will not hurt your chances. Your scores must be in the system by the time the admissions committee begins reviewing applications (typically the beginning of January).
To be official, scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC). Do not send photocopies of your scores to GIAC or the School of Journalism.
- GRE information Web site
- GRE institutional code for the University of Texas at Austin: 6882
TOEFL Information
International students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. The School of Journalism does not waive the TOEFL. TOEFL scores are valid for up to two years. Admitted students whose first language is not English may be evaluated upon their entry into the graduate program for written and oral fluency. The graduate advisor will require students who need additional English-language facility to enroll in such coursework in the first semester.
From http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/test_scores.html:
A score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR an overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to The University of Texas at Austin.
The School of Journalism prefers that you have at least a 600 (paper test), 250 (computer-based test), or 85 (Internet-based test). The School of Journalism will make final admission decisions based on all application materials, including test scores. In this competitive field, however, TOEFL scores are seriously evaluated.
Scores must be delivered electronically through your testing center or through ETS (Educational Testing Service).
TOEFL institutional code for the University of Texas at Austin is 6882
