About Radio-Television-Film
Reinventing the model of a traditional "film school," we are one of the few top-ranking U.S. media programs to offer degrees in both practical and theoretical areas —i.e., in both media production and media studies—and incorporate courses in both the humanities and social sciences, preparing our students to succeed in a wide range of careers—in industry, the arts, higher education, and public policy.
We offer a broad range of courses covering media arts, culture, and industry leading to the Bachelor of Science, Master of Fine Arts, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees. Major film festivals, television outlets, curators, and academic journals have recognized the outstanding work of RTF students, alumni, and faculty.
#3
Best Public Film School
1000+
Undergrad Students
160
Graduate Students
5
Degree Programs
Our Mission
Empowering the next generation of critical minds and creative voices in an ever-changing media landscape.
Our mission is to provide quality education to undergraduate and graduate students in media studies and in the creation of media, to inspire better media practices as well as informed citizen engagement through media literacy, and to create an environment that supports all creative work and scholarly research. A particular goal of all the work of the Department is to explore and promote issues of social justice as they relate to communication.
Department Leadership
Brief History of the Department
In 1921, a radio station was established to conduct experimental work in radio communication, and by the 1930s what was probably the first television broadcast in Texas originated on this campus. This spawned an interest in an academic program in broadcasting. The first degree program in broadcasting began in 1939.
In 1965 the School of Journalism, the Department of Speech, and a newly formed Department of Radio-Television-Film became the three departments officially organized as the School of Communication. Construction of a three-building communication complex began in 1968, and the three Departments of Journalism, Radio-Television-Film and Speech Communication moved into new facilities in 1974.
In 1979, the School of Communication became the College of Communication. At official ceremonies in April 1982, the three buildings comprising the communication complex were named the Jesse H. Jones Communication Center in honor of Mr. Jones, founder of the Houston Endowment.
Office Hours
In Person
Monday-Thursday: 9 am-5 pm CT
Friday: 9 am-2:30 pm (Note: from 2:30 pm–5 pm, you can visit us through our virtual front desk. See below.)
Closed for UT holidays
Location: CMA 6.120
Virtual
Mondy-Friday: 9 am–5 pm CT
Closed on UT holidays
https://utexas.zoom.us/j/94420501281
ZOOM Meeting ID: 94420501281
You will be placed in the waiting room and let in by the host. Please be patient, and if you are unable to get through, call us at (512) 471-4191.
Contact Us
Email: rtf-department@austin.utexas.edu
Phone: 512-471-4071
Main Office: CMA 6.120