Advising

All Communication Studies graduate students are individually advised by a faculty member in their area of study. Faculty advisors guide students through the selection of their courses every semester. In addition, they help students prepare for comprehensive exams (doctoral), and guide students in the preparation of the thesis (masters) or the dissertation (doctoral).

Evaluation of Student Progress

The faculty gather annually every spring semester as the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) to review the progress of each student in the program. Students are informed of their progress by the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee via letter. A copy of the letter is also placed in the student's file in the Graduate Coordinator's Office. For more information on these evaluations, please visit the Evaluation of Student Progress page.

What is the Graduate Studies Committee?

The Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) includes all assistant, associate, and full professors who are active in the program. Committee members review applicants' credentials, make admissions recommendations, and serve on master's thesis/report and doctoral dissertation committees. In addition, each students progress is reviewed annually by the GSC, and students' work programs and thesis/dissertation proposals are subject to the GSC's approval.

What/Who is the Graduate Advisor?

The department Graduate Advisor is a faculty member elected to chair the GSC and take the lead on all matters pertaining to graduate program's policies and procedures.  Duties include:

  1. Represents the Vice President, Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Studies Committee in all matters pertaining to the advising of graduate students taking major coursework in Communication Studies
  2. Refers students to the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies for exceptions requiring their action.
  3. Acts as the representative of the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies in all matters that may be assigned.
  4. Provides information to those who inquire about graduate programs in Communication Studies.
  5. Assists the graduate faculty in selecting students for admission.
  6. Provides students and faculty with information about the policies and procedures of The University, Graduate School, and Departments that govern graduate programs.
  7. Counsels students who are having academic problems.
  8. Chairs Graduate Studies Committee.

René Dailey, Ph.D.

Graduate Advisor & Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee
Email: rdailey@austin.utexas.edu
512-471-4867
CMA 7.142a

What/Who is the Graduate Program Coordinator?

The Graduate Program Coordinator provides administrative support to the Graduate Advisor and the department regarding any and all policies and procedures for the graduate program. Duties include:

  1. Provides information to those who inquire about graduate programs in Communication Studies.
  2. Assists students in applying for admission.
  3. Assists the graduate faculty in selecting students for admission.
  4. Assists in the supervision of orientation and registration of graduate students.
  5. Checks registration on each graduate student and acts on adds, drops, and section changes.
  6. Maintains a record of each student's work of previous degrees, as well as copies of registration and grades in work done at The University of Texas at Austin
  7. Informs current and prospective students about graduate work and refers students in appropriate instances to other faculty members for advice.
  8. Assists students in applying for financial aid: fellowships, research, professional development awards, etc.
  9. Provides students and faculty with information about the policies and procedures of The University, Graduate School, and Departments that govern graduate programs.
  10. Counsels students who are having academic problems.
  11. Assists the graduate faculty in its annual evaluation of students.
  12. Reports periodically to the Graduate Dean and the graduate faculty of the Department about graduate programs, their size, the academic characteristics of the students, etc.

Jenn Porras

Graduate Program Coordinator
Email:  commstudiesgrad@austin.utexas.edu
512-471-1942
CMA 7.110