Master of Arts in Communication Now Offered at TAMIU

Texas A&M International University is now offering a Master of Arts degree and students are eligible to enroll as early as Spring 2015. The new program was recently passed by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and comes from the approval of the Texas A&M University System.

The good news is that undergraduate students will have the to opportunity to enroll in graduate courses for dual-credit. Students can choose courses that will give them an opportunity to further advance their education careers. It is advised that students speak with their respective advisors to find out which courses will be offered for the Spring 2015 semester.

The graduate program will focus on two areas of concentration which include, Border and Latin American Media Studies and Organizational Communication in Transnational Settings. Both programs offered at TAMIU are unique in the sense that most graduate programs do not offer a concentration in these topics. A press release stated that among the many advantages is that, “TAMIU’s strategic location along the U.S-Mexico border provides an exceptional laboratory for exploring the importance of journalism, as well as mass, political and organizational communication in a region where two nations meet and where economic symmetries and major cultural differences affect and transform human interaction”.

Both programs will require that graduate students complete 30hrs of studies and will offer a thesis and non-thesis option. It is encouraged that students who opt out of the thesis option complete additional credit hours from the courses offered. Required courses for both plans include, Communication Theories, Quantitative Methods in Communication, and Qualitative Methods in Communication.

Border and Latin American Media studies prepares students to pursue careers in national or international organizational leadership, journalism, or research in the field of communication. Students are asked to choose 3 of the following courses for their MA: Media, culture, and identity in the US-Mexico border, Border Journalism, Mexican and Latino Cinema, Ethnographic and Documentary Prod in the Border Region, Media flows and audiences in the Americas, Political Communication in Comparative Perspective.

Organization Communication in Transnational Settings studies offers students, according to the press release, “practical training in organizational communication useful to work in the public or private sector planning, administering and evaluating communication practices and strategies. Among the courses offered students will choose 3 of the following:Organization Communication, Intercultural Training in Organizations, Managing Organizational Conflict, Organizational  Culture, Climate and Communication, Advertising, Group/Team Dynamics, Ethical Issues in Organizations, and Leadership Communication.

Graduate students will need to complete two 5000 level elective courses to complete their core plan.

In order to apply to the graduate program, students must first apply online at Apply Texas. It must be noted that GRE examination is not required for this MA program. Students will also be required to submit two letters of recommendations and official college or university transcripts. Along with these requirements, it is also asked that writing samples, either professional or scholarly work, be submitted at the time of the application. And as required by most graduate programs, graduates are requested to submit a personal statement (about 500 words) that clarifies the students intentions for joining the program along with a student profile. All submissions should be mailed to:

Department of Psychology and Communication

Texas A&M International University

Canseco Hall 301-A

5201 University Blvd.

Laredo, Texas 78041-1900, USA

TAMIU Professor of Communication Chair, Dr. Jose Carlos Lozano, invites prospective students and the community to join him in the “Masters of Arts in Communication Launch” Thursday, November 20th at the Helen Ricther Watson Gallery which is located in front of the Starbucks Cafe in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library at 6pm. Here, students will be able to inform themselves about the program and get to know the professors who will help them get one step closer to their higher education dreams.

Information on how to apply, or information regarding financial assistance, can be directed at Dr. Jose Carlos Lozano, Professor of Communication Chair. Dr. Lozano can be reached in his office at Canceso Hall 301-A or by calling (956) 326-2465.

For questions, comments, or concerns about this article, readers can reach out to Tina Gomez at cristinagomez@dusty.tamiu.edu