Michael O. Wirth, Dean
Joan Rentsch, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
http://www.cci.utk.edu
The College of Communication and Information fosters among students and the larger community a sense of the legal and ethical responsibilities of access to information and the exercise of expression in a democratic society. Additionally, the college serves the professional goals of preparing students for careers in the communication and information professions.
The college includes four schools – School of Advertising and Public Relations, School of Communication Studies, School of Information Sciences, and School of Journalism and Electronic Media. These programs came together as a single College of Communication and Information in 2002. The college offers two master’s and one doctoral degree.
The Master of Science with a major in communication and information is a college-wide degree offering multiple concentrations that typically are housed within one of the schools. These concentrations have a core curriculum that focuses on theory and research. Students then take course work supporting the concentration as well as electives. They also engage in a capstone experience.
The Master of Science with a major in information sciences is designed primarily for librarians and information professionals. That program is coordinated by the School of Information Sciences and involves both on-campus and distance education course work. This program is accredited by the American Library Association and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. More details on this degree are provided in the listing for the School of Information Sciences, which follows information about college-wide degrees.
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in communication and information builds on core courses that focus on knowledge creation across the disciplines represented by the college. Additional required course work in a primary and cognate area will be selected by the student and his/her program committee. Communication and information is available as a secondary area for students majoring in other departments.
Facilities for research and service include the Center for Information and Communication Studies (CICS).
Academic Standards
A student in the College of Communication and Information whose graduate grade point average, not including incomplete grades, is below 3.0 at any time after the end of 12 hours of graduate credit will be placed on probation. A student on probation will be dropped from the program unless his or her cumulative graduate grade point average is 3.0 or higher at the end of the probationary period. The probationary period is defined as the next 12 semester hours of graduate course work attempted that is specified in the student’s degree program. Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the College of Communication and Information on the recommendation of the student’s faculty committee.
Admission and Assistance for College-Wide Degrees
Applicants must meet admission requirements of the Graduate Council. In addition, they must complete the Graduate Record Examination, rating forms, and application forms as required by the College of Communication and Information. All application materials are screened by an admissions committee authorized by the faculty of the College of Communication and Information.
New students normally begin classes in the fall semester. Applications for both admission and financial aid are due on February 1.
Graduate assistantships are available for students in college wide programs. Assistantships may be for teaching or research. Assistantships are highly competitive and carry a waiver of tuition and fees as well as a stipend and require that recipients work 10-20 hours per week in the college.
For application forms and other information about college wide graduate programs in Communication and Information, write to Associate Dean for Academic Programs, College of Communication and Information, 302 Communications Building, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-0332 or go to http://www.cci.utk.edu/gradstudies.
