When is the deadline for applying?

For Fall admission, you must submit all required materials by March 15. Please note, our department's deadline to apply is earlier than the UNT Graduate School's date of July 15.

When can I anticipate a notification about the committee's decision?

For Fall M.A. admissions, you can anticipate a notification in early April.

I want to apply to graduate school at UNT for either the Master of Arts. What do I need to send?
  • Your application, application fee, GRE scores, and official transcripts need to be sent to UNT's Graduate Admissions office. The UNT graduate school fee is $75.00.
  • An academic writing sample, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose need to be sent directly to the Graduate Director of the M.A. program, currently Jennifer Gómez-Menjìvar. 
  • Find out more about applying to the MA in Media Arts here. 
What do you want on the statement of purpose? How should I send it to you?
  • For the MA in Media Arts, indicate which track you are interested in pursuing: either Critical/Cultural Studies or Industries Studies.
  • Identify what experiences have served as a foundation for success in graduate work in Media Arts. Your answers should focus on your academic background, relevant coursework, and related professional experiences.
  • Communicate how pursuing a graduate degree in our department and in your specific program will aid in your professional plans and/or career aspirations.

All application materials should be e-mailed to the MA Graduate Director.

There is no length requirement, but note that heavy emphasis is placed on this statement in our review of your application materials.

I'm an international student who obtained a degree in the USA, do I still need to submit my TOEFL score?

Students from outside the United States must apply through UNT-International (UNT-I). Contact the UNT-International office, not the Department of Media Arts, for all TOEFL questions.

Should I wait until I have all my material together or can I send items in one at a time?

Materials do not have to be sent as a single package, however the admissions committee will not review your application until all materials have been received.

I sent in my application, how long will it take before I know if I am accepted?

You can anticipate contact from either the UNT Graduate School or the Graduate Director approximately one month after the respective semester deadlines.

What kinds of Graduate Assistantships are available? What is the difference in a TA, an RA, or a TF?

A limited number of paid graduate assistantships are awarded each year to graduate students. There are various assignments that fall under the Teaching Assistantships (TAs) category, which are:

  • Teaching Assistant (TA) -- Assist a professor in duties including attendance, grading, teaching, and advising students enrolled in a class.
  • Research Assistant (RA) -- Assist with duties concerning a research project undertaken by a professor or other administrative duties.
  • Teaching Fellows (TF) -- Teach lower-level undergraduate courses on your own, usually courses like writing or basic equipment operation. A minimum of 18 hours of graduate credit is required to qualify as a TF.
How do I apply for an assistantship?

The assistantship application form is on the Forms and Applications section of the Media Arts website.

When should I apply for an assistantship?

The assistantship application should be sent in with your other application material to the Director of your program.

I've been assigned a teaching assistantship. Now what?

Follow the specific directions given to you in the email or letter you received regarding your assistantship. This will include such things as:

  • Contact the faculty member with whom you have been assigned.
  • Contact the Media Arts office to ensure the appropriate employment paperwork has been completed.
Is an assistantship continuous?

Assistantships are assigned on a semester-by-semester basis for one semester only and renewal is based upon your performance in the job. While we try to maintain assistantships for both the fall and spring semesters, students need to submit evaluation forms and re-apply each semester.

When can I take my comprehensive exam?

Exam dates are determined in consultation with the M.A. Exam Chair. They can be in either the Fall or the Spring semester. In order to graduate the same semester as your examination you need to defend the exam no later than November 1st for Fall graduation or March 31st for Spring. 

If I choose to complete a thesis, when must I defend and file in order to graduate that same semester?

Spring Graduation: Oral defense of thesis must be completed no later than March 31. The final version of the M.A. thesis must be submitted to Toulouse Graduate School no later than March 31. You typically have to make some minor changes to your thesis before filing it with the graduate school. We encourage you to defend at least a week before the cut off date to avoid undue stress. 

Fall Graduation: Oral defense of thesis must be completed no later than November 1st The final version of the M.A. thesis must be submitted to Toulouse Graduate School no later than November 1st. You typically have to make some minor changes to your thesis before filing it with the graduate school. We encourage you to defend at least a week before the cut off date to avoid undue stress.