Master of Arts in Communication Studies - Rhetoric, Language and Political Communication

Graduate students work closely with faculty advisors and fellow student scholars to develop their research and teaching skills in a collaborative environment. Working closely with world-renowned faculty and practitioners in our highly-ranked programs, graduate students achieve unparalleled access to research opportunities and resources, creative outlets and innovative problem solvers all within one of the best cities in the country – Austin, Texas. You can advance your knowledge and skill whether your career goals are focused on scholarly, professional, clinical, or creative paths. The graduate internship required by the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations is meant to enhance the classroom education with practical, applied experience in the real world.The Rhetoric, Language and Political Communication (RLP) area focuses on how human symbols affect social and political change. Although rhetoric has been a popular area of study since antiquity, the Department focuses on such contemporary matters as political campaigning, culture and communication, social movement rhetoric, ethics and persuasion, the nature of public argument, discourse and knowledge, the formation of language communities, cognitive linguistics, etc. These matters are treated in three distinct sub-areas: (1) Rhetorical Theory and Criticism, focusing on how public discourse is conceived and executed, with special attention to the analysis of persuasive and cultural texts; (2) Political Communication, examination of how political leaders and the mass media change public opinion and fashion legislative policy; and (3) Semiotic Studies offers training in the naturalistic study of human symbol systems and consideration of how linguistic and gestural behaviors affect everyday social interaction.

GRE (Optional) - Students can submit scores if they'd like to, but they are not required.PDF copy of official transcripts from all four-year institutionsStatement of PurposeA Brief Essay of Research Questions (aka Statement of Research Objectives)We prefer a CV, but a resume is acceptable.Academic writing sampleThree Letters of RecommendationA grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or a comparable GPA in upper-division work—junior- and senior-level courses—and in any graduate work already completed is also required.The Graduate School requires applicants to have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution