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Journalism » Graduate » Applying to the Graduate Journalism Program

Applying to the Graduate Journalism Program

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR FALL 2012 IS DECEMBER 15, 2011. 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • See instructions for submitting transcripts at http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/howtous.html.

  • 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:

  • Journalism application coversheet Fill out the coversheet and upload it via the online status check under the "Department Application" document title.
  • Resume Include your educational and work background, experience with student publications, part-time, and volunteer work.
  • Writing sample (required for doctoral applicants, optional for master's applicants) Doctoral applicants should submit a copy of thesis chapters.
  • Writing samples are optional for master's applicants, but are encouraged. Master's applicants typically submit a research paper or 3-5 published articles.
  • 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.
NOTE: Students currently in the master's program in the School of Journalism and students currently in other master's programs at The University of Texas should contact the graduate coordinator for instructions.

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. The highest combined verbal and Quantitative score will be counted. Taking the GRE again will not hurt your chances. You must have your new scores submitted by the Dec. 15 deadline for them to be reviewed.

We do not employ arbitrary threshold or minimum values for such factors as GRE scores or GPA to determine which applications are evaluated for admission, nor do we have geographic preferences or quotas; all applications are considered carefully. GRE scores are valid for up to five years. The GRE requirement cannot be waived.

Generally, it takes 10 to 15 business days for scores to be delivered to the institution(s) to which you are submitting scores. Scores must be delivered to the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) by the deadline to be considered for admission. Do not send photocopies of your scores to GIAC. Photocopies will not be accepted.

TOEFL Information

International students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. We do 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. However, in this competitive field, TOEFL scores are seriously evaluated.

Scores must be delivered electronically through your testing center or through ETS (Educational Testing Service).

  • TOEFL Information
  • Phone: 609-771-7760
  • TOEFL mailing address: Box 6155, Princeton NJ 08541-6155 U.S.A.

TOEFL institutional code for the University of Texas at Austin is 6882