Graduate handbook information is updated and maintained by each program. Graduate handbooks are available within each program's office and online at https://utexas.box.com/v/UTAustinGraduateHandbooks. Please contact the program with concerns or questions.

The student is normally expected to begin coursework in the fall semester.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts with thesis requires 30 semester hours of coursework, including three hours in Radio-Television-Film 395, Theory and Literature, which must be taken in the fall semester of the first year; three hours in Radio-Television-Film 380, Research Theory and Design, which must be taken in the spring semester of the first year; and six hours of Radio-Television-Film 698, Thesis. The Master of Arts with thesis is recommended for students who plan to continue their graduate work after receiving the master’s degree. The Master of Arts with report requires 33 hours of coursework, including three hours of Radio-Television-Film 398R, Master's Report.

Master of Fine Arts

This degree is available in two areas of specialization -- film and media production and screenwriting. It is designed for the student with a demonstrated commitment to production or screenwriting as a professional, artistic, or academic pursuit.

MFA students who are admitted to the film and media production specialization complete 60 hours of coursework in a three-year program that allows them to develop a foundation of production skills by creating works in both traditional and nontraditional forms. During their final semester in the program, students must enroll in Radio-Television-Film 398R, Master's Report. MFA production students must pass annual reviews of their work and must produce a final film project for public exhibition during the third year.

MFA students who are admitted to the screenwriting specialization must complete 42 hours of coursework in a program that allows them to explore writing for film and television. Students write original screenplays as well as those adapted from other material. In their final semester in the program, students must enroll in Radio-Television-Film 398R, Master's Report. In that course, in addition to the master's report, students will rewrite one or more of the scripts completed during earlier semesters. 

Doctor of Philosophy

The Master of Arts or an equivalent degree is required for admission to the doctoral degree program. The program requires completion of at least 42 semester hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree; among these hours must be at least nine hours in research-tools courses and 18 hours in the student’s area of specialization, including Radio-Television-Film 395, Theory and Literature taken twice, and Radio-Television-Film 380, Research Theory and Design. The student works with a faculty advisor to plan specific course requirements in their area(s) of specialization. In addition to this coursework, the student must pass comprehensive examinations in three academic areas. After successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, the student files an application for candidacy and writes the dissertation.

The graduate program does not require an enrollment deposit to accept an offer of admission. A $10.00 general deposit is applied to the tuition bill when the student enrolls in their first semester.

Dual Degree Programs

The Department of Radio-Television-Film offers the following dual degree programs in cooperation with other divisions of the University. More information is available from the graduate advisor in each program.

Major(s)	Degree(s)
Business administration	Master of Business Administration
Latin American studies	Master of Arts
Middle Eastern studies	Master of Arts
Public affairs	Master of Public Affairs
Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies	Master of Arts