Bob Schieffer College of Communication
The Bob Schieffer College of Communication offers the Master of Science in two degree plans - communication studies and strategic communication. Students interested either in continuing into a doctoral program or professional development will find programs that prepare them for the future. Research and development are balanced with applied experiences in the communication field. Located in one of the largest media markets in the United States, the graduate programs in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication at TCU offer diverse opportunities in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Bob Schieffer College of Communication Admission Requirements
An applicant must possess a bachelor's degree from an institution regarded as standard by the University and a regional accrediting agency. For unconditional admission, the student must have satisfactory undergraduate preparation for the particular degree sought. This is determined by the departmental graduate director and the Bob Schieffer College of Communication associate dean and includes a:
An application that is otherwise satisfactory may still be rejected if the intended major area has already accepted as many new students as its facilities can accommodate, or if it is felt that the program TCU provides is not suitable to the applicant's vocational goals.
Application Procedure
The application is considered complete when the following are received:
• Completed online application form;
• One official transcript from each university/college attended. This includes all undergraduate and graduate work from all colleges or universities attended. TCU transcripts are not required;
• A statement of experience and professional goals, which allows the strategic communication admissions committee to adequately determine the applicant’s qualifications;
• Three letters of recommendation;
• Official TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers;
• A $60 application fee;
• GRE general test scores, for those applying to communication studies. The GRE is optional for those applying to strategic communication;
• Resume or curriculum vita, for those applying to strategic communication;
• A video statement of the applicant’s experience and professional goals, for those applying to strategic communication, which allows the strategic communication admissions committee to adequately determine the applicant’s suitability for the graduate program;
• A written essay responding to a prompt or question, for those applying to strategic communication
Additional admission information is available on the Bob Schieffer College of Communication Graduate Studies website.
International Applicants
International applicants must submit TOEFL scores of 550 or better paper based, 213 computer based or 79 or better Internet-based, and proof of financial support. See individual programs for other requirements. TCU recommends a 100 or higher TOEFL score (internet based) for international students.
Conditional Admission Policy
A conditional admission may be granted to students who may be weak in one of the admission criteria if they show strength in all other criteria. The letter of acceptance will state the conditions that must be met in the first nine hours. Special permission to extend this conditional admission must be made in writing through the associate dean's office. Students who have not removed the conditions by the stated deadline will not be permitted to register for classes in the subsequent semester.
Bob Schieffer College of Communication Grading Procedures
The grading policy for all graduate communication courses is based on the following scale:
| Letter Grade |
Grade Point Weight |
| A |
4.00 |
| A- |
3.67 |
| B+ |
3.33 |
| B |
3.00 |
| B- |
2.67 |
| C+ |
2.33 |
| C |
2.00 |
| C- |
1.67 |
| F |
0.000 |
"I" — Course has not been completed and final grade has not been assigned. The "I" must be removed within the first 60 days of the long semester immediately following (with exception to the thesis or project in lieu of a thesis) or it is changed to an "F." Any extension must have written approval of the instructor of record and college dean.
"Q" — Removed from the course by the academic dean
"W" — Officially withdrew from the course
"AU" — Officially audited the course
Bob Schieffer College of Communication Academic Standards
All graduate students are required to meet the academic standards set by the Bob Schieffer College of Communication faculty. Failure to do so will result in academic probation or suspension. Graduate students must achieve at least a 2.75 GPA each semester and on a cumulative basis throughout their program of study. A student who fails to meet this expectation will be placed on probation the following long semester and must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75. Failure to meet that expectation will result in the removal from the program with the right to appeal to the Bob Schieffer College of Communication dean. If a graduate student in the Bob Schieffer College of Communication receives six hours of a grade of "C+" or lower, the associate dean of the graduate programs for the college may dismiss the student from the program because of failure to make satisfactory academic progress.
Bob Schieffer College of Communication Financial Aid
Stipend/Tuition Reimbursement. Merit-based financial aid is available. Students must request financial assistance in their application.
Responsibilities tied to stipend awards are departmentally driven. In all units, the graduate students on a stipend are assigned to work with a faculty member. In some units, students are assigned a lab to work in as they mentor students and assist with teaching duties. In other units, students may assist a faculty member with grading or course development or research. The number of hours assigned are directly related to the stipend. Unit graduate directors are responsible for keeping track of the graduate student's time and job as an assistant. The faculty member who oversees the student will report to the graduate director.
Satisfactory Progress
Candidacy. This status is awarded when the student has completed a minimum of nine graduate hours, maintained a graduate GPA of at least a 2.75 and secured approval from the unit graduate coordinator.