Admissions Info for PhD in Media Studies
Below are graduate admissions instructions and information for the PhD in Media Studies. If you have additional questions, please contact the RTF Graduate Office.
Deadlines
| Fall Admission Only (Note: The Deadline has passed for Fall 2025 Admission) | |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | September 1, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2025 |
Recommended Timeline
| Fall Admission Only | |
|---|---|
| Attend Virtual Info Session | October |
| Complete Application (Submit and Pay Fee) | November 20 |
| Send test scores to UT Austin (#6882 - Allow 2 to 4 weeks for scores to arrive) | November 20 |
| Update all supplemental materials using the “MyStatus” page | November 25 |
| Check status of your application from the “MyStatus” page | November 29 |
Qualifying Degrees
Note that you must have completed a master's degree (or will have completed one by the beginning of your first semester) in order to be admitted to the PhD program in RTF with Media Studies concentration.
Instructions
Choose Radio-Television-Film -- PhD in Media Studies (major/degree)
Pay the application fee. You won't have access to the MyStatus page until you complete the online application and pay the application fee. This is where you will upload all supplemental materials.
Write an essay that explains your education and experience so far, your future goals, and how you think our program will help you achieve those goals. Rule of thumb is to keep this concise, no more than two printed pages, double-spaced. No other essay required.
Upload this as a PDF on the MyStatus page.
You should provide names and email addresses for three recommenders. Please contact us if your recommender is not able to use this online method. It is acceptable to submit a professional reference if you've been out of school for a long time.
The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) requires a copy of your official transcript from each college and/or university that you have attended. U.S. applicants who have taken coursework through an Exchange Program, Semester Abroad or Study Abroad, please contact an Admissions Counselor at GIAC (512-475-7391) to determine if you need an original transcript from the foreign institution. Once you are admitted, you will need to send a hard copy of the official transcript.
Include education; work experience and internships; honors and awards; and publications or creative works.
This should be a report, article, review, or anything that you've written for a class (or similar). Between 10 and 20 pages is an ideal length; please only submit a longer sample if it is your best work. A chapter of your master’s thesis is appropriate to send. If you no longer have any academic papers, please submit a 10-page original essay.