UT PANAM Students Learn About Graduate Programs in Advertising

In early November, several UT Pan American students were able to learn first hand about the graduate programs in advertising at UT Austin. Gary Wilcox, Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Advertising was invited to visit UT Pan Am to speak to classes as well as visit with students individually about the MA program in Advertising. His trip was funded by a Graduate Recruiting Grant from the Graduate School at UT Austin. Dr. Kimberly Selber from UTPA (UT Austin Phd) organized the visit with students who are currently studying advertising and graphic arts.

Wilcox noted that with constant changes in the advertising industry, in media, and in communications technology that today's graduates must be on the cutting edge to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The objective of UT's graduate program in advertising is to develop the intellectual breadth and to provide the specialized training necessary for a career in teaching, in research, or in the professions. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, methods, and skills needed for scholarly teaching, original research and problem solving, intellectual leadership, creative expression, and other modes of achievement.

He went on to say "Whether you are working toward master's or doctorate degree, your time at UT should be an educational experience. Our faculty, students, and staff share a vision of excellence: that with hard work and challenging questions today, we create a momentum of achievement to improve not only our field, but ourselves, tomorrow."

In a typical year about 200 master's students and around 30 doctoral students are enrolled. In Fall 2007, over 100 new students enrolled in the program from 26 states and more than 10 countries. Wilcox noted "The diversity of the program is outstanding. With students from all over the USA as well as the world, our program is a great place to study." This year students in the Graduate Program will receive over $100,000 of fellowship and scholarship support.

The University of Texas at Austin is highly regarded as a major research university, with many of its colleges and departments ranked among the best in the nation. In spite of this, it is one of the least expensive universities in the country. Even among state-supported schools, which typically cost far less than private schools, it compares quite favorably.

The UT graduate program in advertising has been consistently ranked by both heads of ad programs as well as ad agency's as either number one or two. If you look at how UT compares to other schools when ranked in a variety of different ways, the advertising program at The University of Texas at Austin is consistently at or near the top of each list. And if you factor in the breadth of other quality programs at this first tier research university, along with the low cost, a graduate education in the UT Department of Advertising is clearly a terrific value.

11/15/2007