Communication & Journalism Department

COJO GRADUATE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

The UW COJO Graduate Program begins its review of applications on February 15 each year for the following fall semester. However, students are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible to ensure a complete application file.

If you want to be considered for the graduate teaching assistantship, then you must have your application completed by February 15. If you do not wish to be considered for the graduate teaching assistantships, then applications may be submitted until June 15.

Study in the COJO Graduate Program begins in the fall semester. Applications are not encouraged for admittance in the spring term.

WHAT YOU NEED

Step #1:

Prospective students should contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Chia-Fang (Sandy) Hsu, hsus@uwyo.edu. Dr. Hsu can answer initial questions about graduate study and help with the application process.

Step #2:

Prospective students who decide to apply should fill out the online application. The application will request the necessary information needed to complete the admission process.  Required documents should be uploaded to the online application as directed. Required information includes

  • Official transcripts (officially translated if foreign)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • One-page statement of purpose (why you would like a master’s degree in our program; what faculty you would like to work with; what type of research area or professional/creative project that you may want to pursue)
  • Writing samples (can be media writing samples and/or academic, research paper writing samples)

In addition, international students will need to supply:

  • Official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores (Most countries need this unless you completed high school or your undergraduate degree in the United States. Please see the English Proficiency requirement: https://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/international/english-alternatives.html)
  • Proof of financial support
  • A scanned copy of the passport
  • Writing samples (can be media writing samples and/or academic, research paper writing samples)

APPLYING FOR THE ASSISTANTSHIPS

If you want to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship teaching either Public Speaking or Media Writing, or the PR/Marketing graduate assistantship, or the Wyoming Debate Union graduate assistantship positions, then please complete the online application by February 15.

The online application will require you to rank your interest in these GA positions as well. You must also complete the GA application sent to you via email from the UW Office of Admissions (once you start an online application, UW Admissions will email you this document). You must also upload a resume as well to your online GA application. The resume should include a 3-5 minute video link that highlights and illustrates how you would approach being a teaching, marketing, debate, or research assistant. The video will be evaluated by its content, not on technological quality. Also, we would provide a software program or campus resource you could use if you have accesibility or technology needs.

Below are some descriptions about graduate assistantships.

DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSISTANTSHIPS

Public Speaking Teaching Assistantship

Public Speaking GTAs teach one section of Public Speaking (COJO 2010) in the first fall semester, two sections in both the subsequent spring and fall semesters, and one section in the final spring semester of the two-year MA program. You will also enroll in a 3-credit graduate teaching course in first fall semester, which is taught by Beau Bingham, and you will enroll in a 1-credit teaching practicum course (supervised by Beau Bingham) in the remainder of your semesters. 

For questions about the Public Speaking GTAs, please contact Academic Professional Lecturer Beau Bingham at bbingham@uwyo.edu. He is the course supervisor for Public Speaking and the Director of the Oral Communication Center.

Media Writing Teaching Assistantship

Media Writing GTAs teach one section of Media Writing (COJO 2100) in the first fall semester, two sections in both the subsequent spring and fall semesters, and one section in the final spring semester of the two-year MA program. We do expect Media Writing GTAs to have a degree in journalism or communication that entailed reporting, newswriting, and AP Style. Professional journalism experience in jobs and/or internships is considered a plus.

For questions about the Media Writing GTAs, please contact Temporary Lecturer Mitzi Stewart at mitzih@uwyo.edu. She is the course supervisor for Media Writing.

PR/Marketing Administration for COJO

Some of the aspects of this position include creating bi-annual newsletters, helping with website updates, helping with social media (Facebook, Instagram), creating news releases for events and important research and student work, helping promote the UW Debate team, and event planning and promotion (e.g., COJO’s Honor’s Day celebration). 

For questions about this position, please contact COJO Department Chair Dr. Cindy Price Schultz at cprice@uwyo.edu

Wyoming Debate Union Administrative Assistantship

The debate GAA is responsible for day-to-day coaching of the Policy debate team. Their duties include holding and directing bi-weekly practice sessions, assisting with research production, traveling to approximately four NDT-CEDA tournaments per semester, and judging at those tournaments. This position does not including teaching a course.

For questions about this position, please contact Matt Liu, the Director of Debate, at mliu6@uwyo.edu

Wyoming Debate Union Teaching Assistantship

The debate GTA is responsible for day-to-day coaching of the BP/Worlds debate team. Their duties include attending bi-weekly practice sessions and traveling to approximately three tournaments per semester. Additionally, the debate GTA teaches sections of Persuasive Argumentation, a 2000-level Communication Department class.

For questions about this position, please contact Matt Liu, the Director of Debate, at mliu6@uwyo.edu

Rott Research Fellowship

The student who receives this fellowship will assist faculty members’ research efforts and work on their thesis/project related to Journalism or media-oriented subject. Besides all requirements listed for admittance into the Communication and Journalism graduate programs, they must also give a one-page summary about their research knowledge and capabilities, and explain how their planned thesis or project is part of the journalism or media field. 

For questions about this position, please contact COJO Department Chair Dr. Cindy Price Schultz at cprice@uwyo.edu.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

The GRE is not required for admission to the program. 

A GPA of 3.00 are considered the minimum cutoff levels for potential applicants.

For international graduate students, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 540 (76 iBT). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. The COJO Graduate Committee reviews applications to determine if candidates are qualified for admission. If the international student applies for a funded assistantship, the international student may be asked to complete an English proficiency test with UW staff before or after admission.

Students will be notified by UW Admissions when they are fully admitted into the program.

 
Contact Us

Dr. Chia-Fang (Sandy) Hsu

437 Ross Hall

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-3122

Email: hsus@uwyo.edu

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