DepartmentofCommunicationStudiesGraduateProgramStudentHandbook

(RevisedAugust2018)

TableofContentsMaster’sDegreeProgram

Timetable…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2

RequiredCourses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...2

Thesis/ReportRequirements…………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

Thesis/ReportBestPractices…………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

DoctoralDegreeProgram

Timetable………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....4

RequiredCourses……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...5

ComprehensiveExamsforDoctoralStudents……………………………………………………………………………..6

ApplicationforDoctoralCandidacy…………………………………………………………………………………………....6

DefenseoftheDoctoralProspectus…………………………………………………………………………………………....7

DefenseoftheDissertation………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7

CountingCoursesfromOtherInstitutions……………………………………………………………………………………………...8

FlexibilityinaGraduateStudent’sProgram

LeavesofAbsence………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….9

StudentEmployment

PayRatesandBenefits…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10

LengthofFunding…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….10

BreaksinFunding…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..10

14-semesterLimit……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……10

FirstYearLimits……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….11

InternationalStudentLimits……………………………………………………………………………………………..……..11

FinancialAssistanceforGraduateStudents(Fellowships)……………………………………………………………………12

AdvisingandSupervisionofaGraduateStudent………………………………………………………………………………….13

GraduateStudentEvaluation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

IndividualInstructionCourses………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…16

RegistrationPolicies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...16

ResearchandConferencesandTravelFunding………………………………………………………………………………….…18

SourcesofInformationfortheGraduateProgram………………………………………………………………………………..19

StudentConductandAcademicIntegrity…………………………………………………………………………………………..…21

AppendixA,MAWorkProgramChecklist

AppendixB,PhDWorkProgramChecklist

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Masters’DegreeProgramTimetableTheCMSM.A.degreeisstructuredforcompletionintwoyears.StudentsmaychoosetocompleteaThesisorReportOption.M.A.studentswhoareconsideringapplyingtoafuturedoctoralprogramshouldcompletetheThesisOption.Thetwo-yearplanforThesisorReportstudentsnormallylookslikethis:

ThesisOption(30totalhours) ReportOption(33totalhours)Fall:9hours Fall:9hoursSpring:9hours Spring:9hoursSummer:Nonerequired Summer:NonerequiredFall:6hours,CMS698A(firstThesiscourse) Fall:9hoursSpring:CMS698B(secondandfinalThesiscourse) Spring:3hours,CMS398R

RequiredCourses

AllM.A.studentsarerequiredtotakethefollowingcourses:CMS081IntrotoGraduateStudiesinHumanCommunication.Thiscoursemustbetakeninastudents’firstfallsemesterintheprogramasanintroductiontothedepartment,faculty,andresearch.Itisa“zero”creditcourse,meaningthatitwillnotcounttowardtotalhoursfortheM.A.degree.6hours“inside/outside.”ThesetwocoursesshouldbewithinCMS,butoutsideofyourareaofstudy.Theremainingcourses(18hoursforthesisstudents;21hoursforreportstudents)willlikelybeinthestudent’sareaofstudy,butstudentsandtheirfacultyadvisorscandeterminethattogether.StudentsmaytakenomorethantwocoursesonaCredit/NoCreditbasis.OnlycoursesoutsideofCommunicationStudiesareallowedasCR/NC.Inallcases,thecoursesmustbeapprovedbyastudent’sfacultyadvisorbeforetheymaybechangedtoCR/NC.StudentsarerequiredtomeetwiththeirfacultyadvisorsatleastonceasemestertodiscusscourseworkandregistrationandtocompleteaWorkProgramChecklistandMaster’sTimelineForm.

Thesis/ReportCommitteesandRequirementsMastersstudentsarerequiredtohaveatwo-personcommitteethatincludesafacultysupervisorandafacultyreader.Studentsshoulddiscussselectionofthereaderwiththeirfacultyadvisor(alsoknownasyourfacultysupervisorforthepurposesoftheThesis/Reportcommittee)duringthespringoftheirfirstyear.Areadershouldbeestablishednolaterthanthebeginningofthefallsemesterofastudent’ssecondyear.

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TheUniversityofTexasatAustinGraduateSchoolestablishesthepoliciesgoverningfinalsubmissionofallThesesandReports.Thedepartmentdeferstothemonallfinalrequirements:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/graduation/deadlines-and-submission-instructions

Thesis/ReportTimelineTopicSelection:Studentsshouldtalktotheirfacultyadvisorsaboutatopicbytheendoftheirfirstyear.ThesisProposal:StudentswillsubmitathesisproposaltotheirFacultyAdvisorandReaderbyOctober1stoftheirsecondyear.FullThesisDraft:StudentswillsubmitathesisproposaltotheirFacultyAdvisorandReaderbyApril1stoftheirsecondyear.FinalThesisandSignaturePage:StudentswillsubmitthefinalthesistotheGraduateSchoolnolaterthan3pmonthelastclassdayofthespringsemester.

Thesis/ReportBestPracticesLeaveenoughtimefortheunexpected.Unexpecteditemscouldincludetroublesecuringinterviews,problemscodingdata,longtranscriptionsthateatupprecioustime,orneedingIRBapprovalforastudy.IRBapprovalscommonlytakesometimetoreceive,sostudentsshouldbuildintimeforthosetypesofdelays.StayintouchwithboththefacultyadvisorANDreader.Differentfacultywillhavedifferentpreferences/expectationsontheprocess.Stayingintouchwithbothofthecommitteemembersonaregularbasisduringthesecondyearallowsopencommunicationonastudent’stopicandprocessandcanmeanfewerproblemsattheend.ThefirstversionoftheThesis/ReportshouldbefinishedbythebeginningofApril.AfinishedversioninAprilgivesthestudent,thefacultyadvisorandthereadertimetomakerevisions.Studentsshouldasktheirfacultyadvisorsquestionssuchas:howdoestheadvisorliketoseeprogress;doestheadvisorwishtoseechaptersastheyarecompletedordotheywishtoseethefirsthalfandthenthecompletedraft?Facultyadvisorsmaywantdifferentthings,sostudentsshouldnotrelyonwhatotherstudentshavetoldthemabouttheprocess,especiallyiftheyhavedifferentfacultyadvisors.Knowthedeadlines.TheThesis/Reportmustbeapprovedbyeveryone(facultyadvisor,reader,GraduateSchool)andsubmittedtotheUniversitybythelastFridayofclassesofanygivensemester.StudentsshouldalwaysconsultthewebsitefortheGraduateSchoolforeachsemester’sdeadlines.

ReapplyingtotheDoctoralProgram

Master’sstudentswhowishtocontinueoninthedoctoralprogrammustsubmitanewapplicationviatheUniversity’sonlineapplicationsystem.Theymayupdatetheirsupportingmaterialssuchaslettersofrecommendationandstatementofpurpose.Itisrecommendedthat

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studentsspeaktotheGraduateCoordinatorabouttheprocessnolaterthanlatesummer/earlyfalloftheirsecondyear.StudentswhoearntheirMaster’sdegreeintheDepartmentofCommunicationStudiesatUT-Austinmay(withfacultyadvisorapproval)rollforwardupto12hours(fourclasses)fromtheMaster’sprogramtocounttowardthedoctoraldegree.StudentsshouldconsultwiththeGraduateCoordinatorandtheirfacultyadvisoraboutthespecificofthispolicy.

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DoctoralDegreeProgramTimetableTheCommunicationStudiesdoctoraldegreeisdesignedforcompletioninfouryears.Forty-five(45)hoursofcourseworkarerequired,pluscomprehensiveexamsandatleasttwosemestersofdissertationcourses.SemesterOne:

• Studentenrollsin9hours(3courses)inadditiontoCMS081M(detailson081MbelowinRequiredCourses).

• Ifthestudentisemployedinthedepartmentasateachingassistantorassistantinstructor,CMS398Tshouldbeoneofthethreecoursesabove.CMS398Tcountsonthedegreeworkprogramchecklistas3hourstowardthe45-hourtotal.

• AFirstSemesterMentorisassignedbytheGraduateCoordinatoronthebasisofthestudent'sareaofstudytoassistinselectingcoursesforthefirstsemester.

• Conditionsofadmission,ifany,aremet.SemesterTwo:

• Studentenrollsin9hours(3courses).• InFebruary,aPermanentAdvisor,alsoknownastheSupervisoroftheDoctoral

Committee,isselectedbythestudent.Studentmustgettheconsentoftheindividualpriortosubmittinghis/hernameandisrequiredtoinformthegraduatecoordinatorofthischoice.

• AComprehensiveExamCommittee,consistingofatleasttwomembersfromtheCMSdepartmentinadditiontotheSupervisor,ischosenbythestudent.Studentsmusthaveconsentofthoseindividualswhosenamesareproposedandpresentedontheirworkprogramchecklist.

• Student,withthehelpoftheComprehensiveExamCommittee,preparesaWorkProgramChecklistforallofher/hisdoctoralcoursework.Thecourseworkshouldbeplannedaroundthestudent'sstatedtentativedissertationtopic,andsubmittedtotheComprehensiveExamCommitteeforapprovalandsignatures.

• ByApril1,studentsubmitssignedWorkProgramChecklisttotheGraduateCoordinator.AmeetingwiththeGraduateCoordinatorwillbeheldinMarchtodiscussthepreparationofthisdocument.

• WorkProgramChecklistreviewedbytheCommunicationStudiesGraduateStudiesCommittee(GSC)inearlyMay.

SemestersThree,Four&Five:Studentcontinuestoenrollin9hours(3courses)persemester.SemesterSix:Aftercompletionoftherequired45hoursofcourseworkandwiththeapprovaloftheSupervisingFacultymember,studentswillprepareandtaketheircomprehensiveexams.DetailsonComprehensiveExampreparationcanbefoundbelowintheComprehensiveExamsection.UponsuccessfulcompletionofComprehensiveExams,studentsthenpreparetoenterDoctoralCandidacy(seemoreinfobelowinDoctoralCandidacysection).SemesterSeven:ThestudentregistersforCMS_99R(Dissertationreading)afterbeingadmittedtocandidacybytheDeanofGraduateStudies.

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InconsultationwiththeDissertationCommittee,thestudentpreparesawrittenprospectusforaDissertation(seemoreinfobelowintheDoctoralProspectussection).SemesterEight:ThestudentregistersforCMS_99W(Dissertationwriting)foreverylongsemesteruntiltheDissertationiscompleted,defended,andturnedintotheGraduateSchool.StudentmustcompleteallrequiredpaperworkandprocessesoftheGraduateSchooltograduateinthissemester(seemoreinfobelowintheDefendingtheDissertationsection).Pleasenote:StudentswhodonotcompleteanddefendtheirDissertationswithinfouryearsofenteringdoctoralcandidacy,mayberequiredtotakeadepartmentalrecertificationofcandidacyexamonthestateofthefield.

RequiredCourseworkAllDoctoralstudentsarerequiredtotakethefollowingcourses:

• CMS081IntrotoGraduateStudiesinHumanCommunication.Thiscoursemustbetakeninastudents’firstfallsemesterintheprogramasanintroductiontothedepartment,faculty,andresearch.Itisa“zero”creditcourse,meaningthatitwillnotcounttowardtotalhoursforthedoctoraldegree.

• 6hours“inside/outside.”ThesetwocoursesshouldbewithinCMS,butoutsideofyourareaofstudy.

Theremainingcourses(39hours)aredeterminedbythestudentandthefacultyadvisortosupplementtheaboveandtoassistthestudentinwritingthedissertations/heaspirestowrite.StudentsmaytakenomorethantwocoursesonaCredit/NoCreditbasis.OnlycoursesoutsideofCommunicationStudiesareallowedasCR/NC.Inallcases,thecoursesmustbeapprovedbyastudent’sfacultyadvisorbeforetheymaybechangedtoCR/NC.StudentsarerequiredtomeetwiththeirfacultyadvisorsatleastonceasemestertodiscusscourseworkandregistrationandtocompleteaWorkProgramChecklist.

ComprehensiveExamsforDoctoralStudentsWhenastudenthascompleted45hoursofcoursework,s/hewillberequiredtocompletecomprehensiveexamsintheirareaofstudy.Thisusuallyoccursinthespringsemesterofastudent’sthirdyear.Comprehensiveexamscanbetakenearlier,ifastudentcompleteshis/hercourseworksooneranduponapprovaloftheirfacultyadvisor.TheComprehensiveExamwillhavebothwrittenandoralcomponents.ThepurposeoftheComprehensiveExamisto:

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• Determinewhetherthestudenthasmasteredtheareasofresearchexpertise(contentandmethodology)declaredpriortoexam.

• Ascertainwhetherornotthestudentisadequatelypreparedfor,andcapableof,completingadissertation.

• Evaluatestudent'spotentialformakingascholarlycontributiontoher/hisareaofstudy.Aformalmeeting(defense)ofthestudent'sComprehensiveExamCommitteeandthestudentisheldtodiscusstheirperformanceontheexam.Outcomeoftheexamwillbestatedinthefollowingterms:Pass,Fail,Reconsideration.Followingtheexam,thestudent'sSupervisingFacultyAdvisorwillcompleteaComprehensiveExamReportformtoinformtheGraduateCoordinatoroftheoutcome.StudentsarerequiredtomeetwiththedepartmentGraduateCoordinatorthesemesterbeforetheyintendtositfortheirComprehensiveExamstoreviewpoliciesandprocedures.

DoctoralCandidacyOnceComprehensiveExamsaresuccessfullycompleted,studentswillbeexpectedtoenterDoctoralCandidacynolaterthanthenextsemester–typically,falloftheirfourthyear.TocompletetheDoctoralCandidacyapplicationviatheGraduateSchoolonlineportal,studentsmust:

• SelectadissertationcommitteethatconsistsofaSupervisingFacultymember;twofacultyinCommunicationStudies;andone“outside”facultymember.TheoutsidefacultymembercanbeanyfacultymemberoutsideoftheCMSdepartment.Aminimumoffourdissertationcommitteemembersarerequired,butstudentscanhavemore.Studentsshouldgetconsentfromallfacultymembersbeforenamingthemtotheircommittees.

• Provideabriefabstractoftheirdissertationtopic.Moredetailsonthisprocesscanbefoundhere:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/theses-and-dissertations/doctoral-candidacyOnceastudentisapprovedtoenterdoctoralcandidacybytheGraduateSchool,s/hewillthenenrollinthefirstsemesterofdoctoraldissertationreadinghours(_99R).Aftercompletingthereadinghours,s/hewillenrollinthewritingportionofdissertationhours(_99W)untilsuccessfuldefenseoftheirdissertations.Studentsarerequiredtoenrollinatleasttwosemestersofdissertationhoursbeforetheymaygraduate.

DefenseoftheDoctoralProspectusStudentsarerequiredandexpectedtodefendtheirDoctoralProspectusthesemesteraftertheyhavesuccessfullycompletedtheirComprehensiveExams(usually,thefallsemesteroftheirfourthyear).TheprocesstodefendtheDoctoralProspectusisasfollows:

• TheChairoftheDissertationCommitteetentativelyapprovestheprospectus.

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• ThestudentdistributescopiesoftheprospectustotheDissertationCommittee.• AformalmeetingoftheDissertationCommitteeisheldtoactontheprospectus.This

meetingmustbeheldnolaterthanoneyearafteradmissiontodoctoralcandidacy.• ApprovalFormforDissertationProspectus(departmentalform)iscompletedandsigned

bytheChairoftheDissertationCommittee,allmembersofthecommitteeattendingthemeeting,andtheGraduateAdvisor.

• StudentdeliverssignedformtotheGraduateCoordinator.

DefendingtheDissertationStudentsareexpectedtocompletetheirdissertationandscheduleaFinalOralDefenseaftertheirDoctoralProspectushasbeenapprovedbytheirDissertationCommittee.Thetimelineforthisvaries,dependingonastudent’sforwardprogress.Studentsintheirfinalsemesterwithintenttocompletetheirdissertationandgraduate,mustdothefollowing:

• Theymustberegisteredinthefinaldissertationcourse(_99W)thesemestertheyintendongraduating.

• StudentsshouldconsultcloselywiththeirSupervisingFacultymembersregardingtheirfinalDissertationdraftandwhenitisreadytobesenttotheentireDissertationCommitteeforreview.TheDissertationCommitteeexpectsthatthefinaldraftofthestudent'sDissertationwillbefullyeditedbeforebeingsubmittedtotheCommittee.Draftsthatarecharacterizedbyinaccuracies,spelling,punctuation,grammaticalortypographicalerrorswillnotbeaccepted.

• StudentwillworkwiththeirDissertationCommitteetodetermineadateandtimeforthedefense.Defensesshouldbescheduledforatleastatwo-hourwindow.

• StudentsmustmeetwiththeGraduateCoordinatortoreviewfinalrequiredpaperworkandprocesses.

• StudentsmustsubmitanapplicationtograduateviatheGraduateSchoolonlineportal.Itisthestudent'sresponsibilitytoknowtheGraduateSchool’deadlinesaspostedontheirwebsite.

• StudentsmustfileanofficialRequestforFinalOralformtotheGraduateSchoolnolaterthantwoweekspriortoadefensedate.

• TheymustsubmitallrequiredsignaturepagesandthefinalDissertationtotheGraduateSchoolnolaterthanthelastFridayofanysemester.ConsulttheGraduateSchoolwebsiteforthissemester’sdeadline.

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CountingCourseworkfromotherInstitutionsStudentsenteringtheMaster’sorDoctoralprogramssometimesrequestthatcoursesfrompreviousinstitutionsbereviewedtocounttowardaUT-Austingraduatedegree.Incasessuchasthese,thefollowingguidelinesapply:1.Thecoursestobeconsideredcannothavebeenusedtowardthecompletionofanyotherdegreeatanytime.2.Nomorethantwocourseswillbecounted.ProcessforApprovalAstudentshouldnotifytheGraduateProgramCoordinatorandtheirfacultyadvisoroftheirdesiretohavecoursesreviewedfromanotherinstitution.Thestudentshouldprovideatranscriptandsyllabiforthecoursesunderreview.IftheFacultyAdvisorapprovesofthecourses(nomorethantwo),thentheAdvisorwillthenseekavotefromthefacultyinthestudent’sareaforapprovalofthecourses.Ifnoobjectionismadebyfacultyinthearea,thestudentandtheAdvisormusttheninformtheGraduateProgramCoordinatorofthisapproval.TheGraduateProgramCoordinatorwillthenworkwiththestudentandtheAdvisorthroughthefinaldocumentationprocess.

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FlexibilityinaGraduateStudent’sProgram(LeavesofAbsence)

AllMastersandDoctoralstudentsarerequiredtoenrolleverylongsemester(fall/spring)untiltheygraduate.Intheeventofanunforeseenissue,astudentmayrequestanofficialLeaveofAbsenceviatheirGraduateProgramCoordinator.NomorethantwolongsemestersofLeaveareallowedduringastudent’sentiregraduateprogram.CommonReasonsforRequestingaLeaveofAbsence

• Illness• Pregnancy/Birth

TheGraduateSchoolgovernstherulesregardingLeavesofAbsenceandtheirguidelinescanbefoundhere:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/policies/leaves-of-absence.StudentsshouldconsultwiththeGraduateProgramCoordinatorforguidancethroughtheprocess.IfanofficialLeaveofAbsenceisapprovedbytheDepartmentandtheGraduateSchool,thestudentwillnothavetoenrollorpaytuitionfortheapprovedsemester.ThestudentmustsubmitareapplicationforadmissionbeforereturningthesemesterfollowingtheLeave.Detailsonreadmissionareatthelinkabove.IfastudentwasonanapprovedLeaveofAbsence,theirreadmissionisguaranteedandtheywillpickupwheretheyleftoffintheprogram.However,LeavesofAbsencedocauseadelayinprogresstowardgraduationandshouldbeconsideredfullybeforerequested.Inaddition,studentsshouldbemindfulthattheymaynotaccessanyUniversityresourceswhileonLeave.FundingandLeavesofAbsenceIfastudentisfundedintheDepartmentasaTeachingAssistantorAssistantInstructorandisconsideringarequestforanofficialLeaveofAbsence,theyshouldconsultwiththeGraduateProgramCoordinator,theirFacultyAdvisorandtheDepartmentHumanResourcesRepresentativeabouttheimpactoftheLeaveontheirfunding.

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StudentEmployment

TheDepartmentoffersemploymentforgraduatestudentsintheformofTeachingAssistantorAssistantInstructorpositions.Thisisoftencalled“funding.”Thesepositionsareofferedtostudentsduringtheadmissionsprocessorsometimesafterastudent’sfirstyear.PayRatesandBenefitsPayratesareestablishedbytheMoodyCollegeofCommunicationandstudentsarepaidatdifferingrates,basedupontheirclassification(Master’sorDoctoral).ThesepayratesarenotnegotiableastheyaresetbytheCollegeandnottheDepartment.Thefulllistofbenefitsprovidedtofundedstudentscanbefoundhere:https://hr.utexas.edu/student/student-employee-benefits.LengthofFundingWhenfundingisofferedatadmission,itisofferedforcontiguousyears(2yearsforMasters,4yearsforDoctoral).Studentswhomareofferedfundingaftertheirfirstyear,maybefundedonayear-to-yearbasisorfortheremainingtimeintheprogram(nottoexceedtheirfourthyear).Eachfacultyareamakesthosefundingdecisionsonceayear(usuallyduringthespringsemester)andstudentsarenotifiedbytheDepartment.BreaksinFundingOnoccasion,studentsmaybeofferedemploymentinanotherdepartmentorasaGraduateResearchAssistantonaproject.IfafundedstudentacceptsemploymentoraGRApositionoutsideoftheDepartmentthatisfor20hours,thenewfundingofferreplacestheDepartmentfundingforthatgivensemesteroryear.TheDepartmentwillnotrollforwardfundingthatwasreplaced.StudentsarerequiredtogiveasmuchnoticeaspossibletotheDepartmentwhenthissituationarisestoallowforreplacementofthatfundedposition.InadditiontotheDepartmentpoliciesabove,theGraduateSchoolandtheInternationalOfficesetandmonitortherulesgoverningstudentemploymentasoutlinedbelow.FirstYearLimitsTheGraduateSchoolrequiresthatallfirstyearstudents(MastersandDoctoral)belimitedto20hoursofemploymentduringtheirfirsttwolongsemesters.Ifastudentwishestopetitionfor30hoursofemployment,theymuststarttheprocesswiththeGraduateProgramCoordinator.Theremustbeavalidandreasonablereasonforrequestinganexceptiontothefirstyearlimits.Afterastudent’sfirstyear,theywillbelimitedto30hoursofemploymentperlongsemester.

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InternationalStudentLimitsTheInternationalOfficerequiresthatallinternationalstudentsbelimitedto20hoursofstudentemploymentthroughouttheirentireacademicprogram.Detailsontheirrulesregardingthisissuecanbefoundhere:https://world.utexas.edu/isss/students/work/campus

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FinancialAssistanceforGraduateStudents(Fellowships)

Inadditiontostudentemployment,studentsmayalsoreceiveadditionalfinancialassistanceintheformoffellowships.Therearemultipleresourcesforthesefellowshipsandapplicationdeadlinesvary.Belowisalistofthemostcommonlyissuedfellowships:GraduateSchoolRecruitmentFellowships–offeredtonewlyadmittedMaster’sorDoctoralstudentsduringtheadmissionsprocess.Thesefellowshipscanbeforoneortwoyears.MoodyGraduateFellowships–offeredtonewlyadmittedDoctoralstudentsduringtheadmissionsprocess.Thesefellowshipsareforfouryearsandmustbeinconjunctionwithafundingoffer.ContinuingFellowships–availabletocurrentDoctoralstudents.TheGraduateProgramCoordinatorsolicitsforapplicationsinlatefalleveryyear.Afacultycommitteeselects1-2studentswhoarethenforwardedtotheGraduateSchooltocompeteattheuniversitylevel.Therearenoguaranteesthatadepartmentnomineewillreceiveafellowshiponcecompetitioniscomplete.Thesearelarge,one-yearfellowshipsnormallygiventofourthorsometimesfifth-yearDoctoralstudents.Ifastudentisinthemidstoftheirfour-yearfunding,theContinuingFellowshipreplacesthefundingforthatyear.Fundingdoesnotrollforward.Moreinformationonthesefellowshipscanbefoundhere:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/finances/fellowships/graduate-school/continuing-fellowshipsJesseH.JonesFellowship–availabletocurrentdoctoralstudents.TheMoodyCollegeofCommunicationsolicitsfortheseapplicationsinearlyspringeveryyear.Adepartmentfacultycommitteeselectsonestudent.Thisone-yearfellowshipcanbedoubled-upwithfundingandisnormallyawardedtofourthorsometimesfifth-yearstudents.Moreinformationcanbefoundhere:https://moody.utexas.edu/prospective/graduate-studentsGraduateSchoolDissertationWritingFellowships(SpringandSummer)–availabletocurrentDoctoralstudentswhohavebeenadmittedintoDoctoralCandidacyandhavesuccessfullydefendedtheirDissertationProspectus(alsoknownas“ABD”).TheGraduateProgramCoordinatorwillsolicitforapplicationsinlatefall(forthespringfellowship)andlatespring(forthesummerfellowship).Afacultycommitteeselectsonestudenttoreceivetheaward.Theseone-semesterfellowshipsarelargeandwillreplacefundingforthatsemester.Fundingdoesnotrollforward.TheGraduateProgramCoordinatoristheprimaryconduitforalloftheabovefellowshipsandstudentsshouldaddressallquestionsandconcernstoher.

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AdvisingandSupervisionofaGraduateStudentAllCommunicationStudiesgraduatestudentsareindividuallyadvisedbyafacultymemberintheirareaofstudy.FacultyAdvisorsguidestudentsthroughtheselectionoftheircourseseverysemester.Inaddition,theyhelpstudentsprepareforComprehensiveExams(Doctoral),andguidestudentsinthepreparationoftheThesis(Master’s)ortheDissertation(Doctoral).FirstSemesterMentorsAllnewMaster’sandDoctoralstudentsareassigneda“FirstSemesterMentor”(FSM)aftertheyareadmitted.FSM’sarefacultymembersinastudent’sareaofstudywhowillguidethemthroughtheirfirsttworegistrationcycles(forthefirstfallandspring).Duringastudent’sfirstfallsemester,theyareencouragedtogettoknowtheirFSMandtheotherfacultyintheirareaofstudy.Inearlyspringofthefirstyear,studentswillmeetwiththeGraduateProgramCoordinatortodiscussselectionofaPermanentFacultyAdvisorforthedurationoftheprogram.StudentsdonothavetoselecttheirFSMasapermanentadvisor.Researchinterestsmaychangeorstudentsmayfindthattheyalignbetterwithanotherfacultymember.PermanentFacultyAdvisorsEarlyinthespringofastudent’sfirstyear,theywillbeaskedtoselectaPermanentFacultyAdvisor,basedontheirinteractionswithfacultyintheirareaandresearchinterests.StudentsmustmeetwiththeirintendedPermanentFacultyAdvisortoformallyrequestthisassociationmovingforward.StudentsarethenrequiredtoinformtheGraduateProgramCoordinatoroftheirPermanentFacultyAdvisornolaterthanApril1st.Fromthatpointforward,thePermanentFacultyAdvisorwillserveastheacademicandprofessionalguidetothestudentregardingcourseworkandprogressthroughthegraduateprogram.

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GraduateStudentEvaluationDepartmentfacultygatherannuallyattheendofeveryspringsemesterastheGraduateStudiesCommittee(GSC)toreviewtheprogressofeachstudentintheprogram.StudentsareinformedoftheirprogressbytheChairoftheGraduateStudiesCommitteebyletter,distributedviaUTBox.Acopyoftheletterisalsoplacedinthestudent'sfileintheGraduateProgramCoordinator'sOffice.Evaluationsarebasedonthefollowing:GradesStudentsmustmaintain,withintheoverallgrade-pointaverage,a3.0averageforallcourses.Failuretomaintaina3.0averagecanresultinWarningStatusandAcademicDismissal.TheGraduateSchoolpoliciesonthisarehere:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academics/policies/warning-status-academic-dismissalGradesinDissertationorThesisCoursesAllDissertationandThesiscoursesareonlyofferedonaCR/NCbasis.Studentswhofailtomakeprogress(asevaluatedbytheirFacultyAdvisor)forasemesterwillreceivea“NC”forthatsemester.Theaccumulationofthreeormore“NC”gradeswilljeopardizeastudent’sacademicstandingandemploymentoncampus.Detailsontheemploymentpolicycanbefoundhere:https://gradschool.utexas.edu/finances/student-employment/conditions.ProgressTheannualreviewlookscloselyatastudent’sforwardprogressintheprogram.Studentswhoareenrolledpastthenormallimits(2yearsforMasters;4yearsforDoctoral)mustexhibittangibleprogresstowardcompletionoftheThesisorDissertationeverysemester.IfaFacultyAdvisorreportsnotangibleprogressforasemesterormore,theGraduateStudiesCommitteewillimposewarnings,deadlinesoreventualrecommendationofterminationfromtheprogram.TypesofRecommendationsseenintheAnnualReviewLetters:

• Studentismakinggoodprogressandshouldbecontinuedinher/hisprogram.• FirstWarning:Studenthasmadelittletonoprogressinthelastyearandiswarnedthat

anotheryearwithoutprogresswillresultinstrictdeadlines.• SecondWarningwithDeadlines:Studenthasmadelittletonoprogressagainthelast

yearandnowmustadheretostrictdeadlinesforthecomingyear.Failuretomeetthosedeadlineswillresultinarecommendationfortermination.

• RecommendationforTermination:Studenthasfailedtomeetthedeadlinesoutlinedinthepreviousyear’sletterandwillberecommendedforterminationbytheGraduateStudiesCommitteetotheGraduateSchool.

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RecommendationsforTerminationsIfastudenthasbeenrecommendedforterminationtotheGraduateSchool,aformalreviewofthestudent’sprogressanddocumentationwillbemadebytheAssociateDeanofGraduateStudies.AllfinaldecisionsonterminationsaremadebytheGraduateSchool.Intheeventofatermination,studentshavetherighttoseekredressofanygrievancerelatedtohisorherstudentaffairs;astudentmustinitiatehisorhercomplaintwithinsixmonthsoftheincidentthatisthesubjectofthegrievance.TheGraduateSchoolgrievanceprocedurecanbefoundundersectionD1athttp://www.policies.utexas.edu/policies/graduate-school

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IndividualInstructionCourses(ConferenceCourses)TheDepartmentoffersindividualinstructioncourses(alsocalled“ConferenceCourses”)everysemester.Thesecoursescanbetakenformultiplehours(180E,280E,380E,480E).StudentswhoareinterestedinworkingwithafacultymemberonaprojectundertheConferenceCourseheading,mustrequestaregistrationformfromtheGraduateProgramCoordinatorandcompleteitwiththepertinentinformation.ItmustbereturnedtotheGraduateProgramCoordinatorwiththesupervisingfacultymember’ssignaturebeforeregistration.EvaluationofConferenceCoursesiscompletelybasedonwhatevercriteriathatthestudentandthesupervisingfacultymemberagreeduponwhenenrolling.Studentsmaytakeuptotwoconferencecoursesfortheirdegree.Onlyastudent’sFacultyAdvisormayapprovemorethantwotocount.

RegistrationPoliciesRegistrationforStudentsinCoursework(FirstYearStudents)Allfirst-yearstudentsareassignedaFirstSemesterMentor(FSM)intheirareaofchosenstudy.TheseFSMsmeetwithnewgraduatestudentsduringorientationtoassistthemwithselectingclassesfortheirfirstregistration.TheseFSMswillalsoserveastheirguidestothesecondsemesterregistration(whichoccursinlateOctober/earlyNovember).StudentsaregivenablueregistrationsheetbytheGraduateProgramCoordinatoronwhichtowriteouttheirproposedschedule.TheformmustbesignedbytheirFSM.ThesesignedandcompletedformsarethenreturnedtotheGraduateProgramCoordinatorsothatthestudent’sregistrationadvisingbarmaybelifted.RegistrationforStudentsinCoursework(SecondYearStudentsandBeyond)Duringthespringsemesteroftheirfirstyear,graduatestudentsarerequiredtoselectapermanentadvisorintheirareaofstudywhowillsignoffontheirregistrationWorkProgramChecklistsforthedurationoftheiracademiccareer.OncethisFacultyAdvisorhasbeenestablished,thestudentwillberequiredtocompleteaWorkProgramChecklist(seeAppendixA(Master’s)orAppendixB(Doctoral)forasampleWorkProgramform).ThecompletedandsignedchecklistwillbeturnedintotheGraduateProgramCoordinatoreverysemestersothattheadvisingbarcanbeliftedandstudentsmaybeclearedtoregister.RegistrationforStudentsinComprehensiveExams(Doctoralonly)DuringaDoctoralstudent’sfinalsemesterofcoursework,s/hewillcompleteaWorkProgramChecklistandwillberequiredtogetthesignaturesofallthreeoftheirpotentialcomprehensivecommitteemembers.Onceallhavesigned,studentswillbeclearedtoregisterforthecomprehensiveexamcourses(CMS388C/688C/988C).Informationoncomprehensiveexamprepandstructurecanbefoundonpage6ofthisHandbook.Thecompletedandsignedchecklist

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willbeturnedintotheGraduateProgramCoordinatoreverysemestersothattheadvisingbarcanbeliftedandstudentsmaybeclearedtoregister.RegistrationforStudentsinThesis(Master’sonly)Master’sstudentswillenrollintwoThesiscoursestograduate:CMS698AandCMS698B.Ideally,thiswouldoccurinthefallandspringoftheirsecondyear(seeMaster’sDegreeTimetableonpage2ofthisHandbook).StudentswillberequiredtocompleteaWorkProgramChecklistandhaveboththeirFacultyAdvisorandtheirFacultyReadersigntheformforbothofthosesemesters.ThecompletedandsignedchecklistwillbeturnedintotheGraduateProgramCoordinatoreverysemestersothattheadvisingbarcanbeliftedandstudentsmaybeclearedtoregister.RegistrationforStudentsinDissertation(Doctoralonly)StudentswhohavebeenacceptedintoDoctoralCandidacy(seepage6ofthisHandbookforinformationonDoctoralCandidacy),donothavetocompleteaWorkProgramchecklistforregistration.TheGraduateSchoolauto-registersallDoctoralcandidatesinDissertationcoursesuntiltheygraduate.However,ifthestudenthasaregistrationbar(financial,DeanofStudents,etc),registrationwillbedisruptedandthebarclearedbeforeregistrationmayoccur.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoverifythattheyhavebeenregisteredcorrectlyeverysemester.Ifaproblemisdiscovered,studentsshouldcontacttheGraduateProgramCoordinatorforassistance.

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ResearchandConferences

TheGraduateProgramintheDepartmentofCommunicationStudieshasalongrecordofexcellenceinplacinggraduatesintopuniversitypositionsandthrivingcompanies.Acriticalstepinsettingourstudentsupforsuccessisencouragingthemtopresenttheiroriginalresearchatacademicconferences.Itisatthesescholarlymeetingsthatstudentsreceivefeedbackfromothertopscholars,meetanddevelopnetworkswithresearchersintheUnitedStatesandacrosstheworld,learnaboutcuttingedgeadvancesinknowledgeandmethodologiespriortotheirpublicationinjournals,andhelprecruitfuturegraduatestudentstotheUniversityofTexas.Conferenceattendance,inotherwords,helpsstudentsrefineandimprovetheirwork,developreputations,buildrelationships,improvetheirprospectsforemployment,andcontributetothestandingandstatusofourprogram.

DepartmentTravelFundingTheDepartmentprovidestravelfundstoeveryeligiblegraduatestudentonayearlybasis.Theamountofthetravelfundsvariesfromyeartoyearandgraduatestudentsareinformedofthatyear’samounteverySeptember.FundsmustbeusedbetweenSeptember1standAugust31stofanygivenyearanddonotrolloverintothenextyear.Inordertobeeligibletoreceivetravelfundingforaconference,studentsmustbeparticipatinginoneoffourways:presenting,panel,paper,orposter.Travelfundscannotbeissuedtoastudentwhoisnotparticipatinginoneofthosefourways.

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SourcesofInformationfortheGraduateProgram

TheCommunicationStudiesGraduateProgramOfficeconsistsoftwostaffmembers:theGraduateAdvisorandtheGraduateProgramCoordinator.TheGraduateAdvisorThedepartmentGraduateAdvisorisafacultymemberelectedtochairtheGraduateStudiesCommittee(GSC)andtaketheleadonallmatterspertainingtograduateprogram'spoliciesandprocedures.Dutiesinclude:

1. RepresentstheVicePresident,DeanofGraduateStudies,andtheGraduateStudiesCommitteeinallmatterspertainingtotheadvisingofgraduatestudentstakingmajorcourseworkinCommunicationStudies.

2. RefersstudentstotheVicePresidentandDeanofGraduateStudiesforexceptionsrequiringtheiraction.

3. ActsastherepresentativeoftheVicePresidentandDeanofGraduateStudiesinallmattersthatmaybeassigned.

4. ProvidesinformationtothosewhoinquireaboutgraduateprogramsinCommunicationStudies.

5. Assiststhegraduatefacultyinselectingstudentsforadmission.6. ProvidesstudentsandfacultywithinformationaboutthepoliciesandproceduresofThe

University,GraduateSchool,andDepartmentsthatgoverngraduateprograms.7. Counselsstudentswhoarehavingacademicproblems.8. ChairsGraduateStudiesCommittee.

SharonJarvis,Ph.D.GraduateAdvisor&ChairoftheGraduateStudiesCommitteeemail:sjarvis@austin.utexas.edu512-663-310CMA7.116ATheGraduateProgramCoordinatorTheGraduateProgramCoordinatorprovidesadministrativesupporttotheGraduateAdvisorandthedepartmentregardinganyandallpoliciesandproceduresforthegraduateprogram.Dutiesinclude:

1. ProvidesinformationtothosewhoinquireaboutgraduateprogramsinCommunicationStudies.

2. Assistsstudentsinapplyingforadmission.3. Assiststhegraduatefacultyinselectingstudentsforadmission.4. Assistsinthesupervisionoforientationandregistrationofgraduatestudents.5. Checksregistrationoneachgraduatestudentandactsonadds,drops,andsection

changes.

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6. Maintainsarecordofeachstudent'sworkofpreviousdegrees,aswellascopiesofregistrationandgradesinworkdoneatTheUniversityofTexasatAustin.

7. Informscurrentandprospectivestudentsaboutgraduateworkandrefersstudentsinappropriateinstancestootherfacultymembersforadvice.

8. Assistsstudentsinapplyingforfinancialaid:fellowships,research,professionaldevelopmentawards,etc.

9. ProvidesstudentsandfacultywithinformationaboutthepoliciesandproceduresofTheUniversity,GraduateSchool,andDepartmentsthatgoverngraduateprograms.

10. Counselsstudentswhoarehavingacademicproblems.11. Assiststhegraduatefacultyinitsannualevaluationofstudents.12. ReportsperiodicallytotheGraduateDeanandthegraduatefacultyoftheDepartment

aboutgraduateprograms,theirsize,theacademiccharacteristicsofthestudents,etc.13. Maintainsthegraduateprogramwebsite.

AidaGonzález,M.Ed.GraduateProgramCoordinatorEmail:aida.gonzalez@austin.utexas.edu512-471-1942CMA7.110

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StudentConductandAcademicIntegrity

Thedepartmentholdsallofitsgraduatestudentstothehigheststandardsofacademicandprofessionalintegrity.Itisexpectedthatallgraduatestudentswillconductthemselvesinaprofessionalmanneratalltimeswhenrepresentingthedepartmentatdepartment-sponsoredevents.StudentsarerequiredtoadheretotheUniversitypoliciesonacademicintegrityfoundhere:http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct/academicintegrity.phpIncaseswhereastudent’sconductandscholasticintegrityarequestioned,thedepartmentwillfollowallUniversityprocessestoinvestigateanddiscipline.