FAQ - Graduate

Applying to the Radio, Television and Film (RTVF) Graduate Program

1. I want to apply to graduate school at UNT and major in RTVF. What do I need to send?

  • Your application, application fee, official transcripts and GRE test scores need to be sent to the UNT Toulouse School of Graduate Studies.
  • A writing sample, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and portfolio, if required, need to be sent directly to the RTVF Director of Graduate Studies:

Dr. Samuel Sauls
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Radio, TV and Film
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #310589
Denton, TX 76203-5017

2. This Web site indicates my application should be submitted by March? What does it mean? Do I have to wait to apply at UNT until March to send all required documents?

  • That means you should apply no later than March. We accept applications year round, but make decisions for fall enrollment by March, and thereafter.

3. Is the RTVF department's deadline is the same as the Toulouse School's date of July 15th?

  • No, RTVF has no deadline. Applications are accepted year round.

4. Should I wait until I have all my material together, or can I send items in one at a time?

  • Your application materials should be sent to us as soon as possible. All the material does not have to be sent as a single package.

5. I sent in my application, how long will it take before I know if I am accepted?

  • When all application materials have been received, the Graduate Committee will begin review of the application.

6. For the items I send to the RTVF Graduate Advisor, what do you want on the statement of purpose? How should I send it to you?

  • Your statement of purpose should clearly indicate why you want to pursue a Masters degree, what specific area of study in the RTVF graduate program at UNT you want to pursue (MFA in documentary production and studies, MA or MS in Critical/Cultural/Historical studies in film and television; or MA or MS in Industries in Radio, Film, Television and Cable), and how our RTVF program can meet your needs.
  • While you can send the statement as an e-mail attachment, we cannot guarantee how it will print out document formatting-wise. Thus, we prefer that all items be mailed to the RTVF Director of Graduate Studies.
  • There is no size requirement, the statement of purpose is usually no more than two (2) pages double-spaced.
  • Be sure to include your name on everything you send. One of the biggest problems we encounter is receiving application materials without a name on the material.

7. Students from outside the United States must apply through UNT International.

  • Click UNT International above to go to its Web page.

8. An international applicant asks: "I heard if I've obtained a degree in the USA, I don't need to summit the TOEFL score. Is that correct?"

  • Contact the UNT international office to get the answer for this question. The UNT International office, not RTVF, handles TOEFL questions.

9. I want to apply for a scholarship. How can I do that?

TA's (Teaching Assistantships)

1. What is a TA?

  • There are various assignments that fall under the Teaching Assistantships (TAs) category, which are:
  • Teaching Assistant (TA) - Assist a professor in duties including attendance, grading, teaching and advising students attending a class.
  • Research Assistant (RA) - Assist with duties concerning a research project undertaken by a professor.
  • Graduate Assistant (GA) - Work with a particular professor with any duties required that do not fall under the previous two categories.
  • Teaching Fellows (TF) - Teach lower-level undergraduate courses on their own, usually courses like writing or basic equipment operation. A minimum of 18 hours of graduate credit is required to qualify as a TF.

2. How do I apply for an assistantship?

  • The assistantship form is on the RTVF website. Click the previous sentence to get the form, then print and return the completed form with an attached resume to the RTVF Director of Graduate Studies.

3. I've been assigned a teaching assistantship. Now what?

  • First, follow the specific directions given to you in the e-mail or letter you received regarding your assistantship. This will include such things as:
  • Contact the faculty member with whom you have been assigned.
  • Contact the RTVF office to ensure that the appropriate employment paperwork has been completed.

4. When should I apply for an assistantship?

  • The assistantship application should be sent in with your other application material to the RTVF Director of Graduate Studies.

5. Is an assistantship continuous?

  • Assistantships are assigned on a semester-by-semester basis. Graduate assistant assignments are for one semester only and renewal is based upon your performance in the job. While we try to maintain assistantships for both the fall and spring semesters, students need to re-apply each semester.