Department of Radio, Television and Film

Main Departmental Office
Radio, TV, Film and Performing Arts Building, Room 262

Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #310589
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2537
Fax: 940-369-7838

E-mail: RTVF@unt.edu
Web site:www.rtvf.unt.edu

Alan Albaran, Chair

Radio, television, film and digital media platforms play a significant role in society by providing both entertainment and information in a constantly changing world. In a rapidly evolving marketplace, the Department of Radio, Television and Film prepares students with a wide range of knowledge and skills for careers in traditional media (broadcasting, film production) and emerging media (digital media platforms). RTVF students are provided a liberal arts education combined with hands-on experience utilizing similar tools used by industry professionals.

The department offers two degrees – a Bachelor of Arts with a major in radio, television and film and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in converged broadcast media. RTVF and CBCM faculty include top scholars and former media practitioners with many years of experience.

The RTVF major provides a comprehensive background in media production, along with courses devoted to writing, industry studies, history and critical/cultural studies. The CBCM major provides a comprehensive background in media convergence, web-based production of news and information, as well as courses devoted to covering sports, entertainment and political events.

Located within the thriving Dallas–Fort Worth market (currently ranked number 5 in the U.S.) the department frequently hosts professionals who serve as guest speakers and adjunct professors. The department also has an executive board made up of professionals and alumni who provide guidance on curricular development and industry trends. The location within the DFW market offers numerous internship and part-time employment opportunities while students are pursuing their degrees.

Admission to the major

Only RTVF and CBCM majors can take RTVF and CBCM courses. Entering students interested in majoring in RTVF must fulfill initial requirements and will be advised by the RTVF department. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the RTVF major. Admission to the major is highly competitive and is limited by the number of applicants and available resources. This means that if space or technical resources availability is declining, applications for RTVF major status may be submitted to a departmental admissions committee for review. For further information on Admissions and requirements see Radio, Television and Film, BA and Converged Broadcast Media, BA .

Suggested minors for BA with a major in Radio/Television/Film

Students majoring in radio/television/film may choose a minor field of study. Suggested minors coordinated with student career goals are art/photography (for careers in film), business (marketing and management), theatre (production/performance), journalism and social sciences (general).

Digital media studies certificate

In conjunction with the Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Linguistics and Technical Communication, the Department of Radio, Television and film offers a Digital Media Studies certificate .

In the program, students learn to utilize and analyze a variety of digital media tools for the purposes of communication, collaboration and research, and to develop social, political, academic and professional networks. The certificate is interdisciplinary; students must take the three core courses from RTVF, COMM and TECM. Applicable electives may be taken from any department with permission.

KNTU-FM

KNTU-FM 88.1/kntu.com serves the McKinney–Denton–Dallas–Fort Worth area 24 hours a day with educational, news, sports and entertainment content. All students at UNT are eligible to work at KNTU/kntu.com, where they can participate in creating content for KNTU’s broadcast and Internet platforms. More information is available at www.kntu.com.

North Texas Television

NTTV (North Texas Television) is a nationally recognized, award winning student-run television operation. NTTV offers a dynamic opportunity to all UNT students by providing them with the opportunity to create, produce, write, direct and broadcast their work across the DFW area. Content areas include news, sports, entertainment and marketing, as well as long-form live productions.

Organizations

The department participates actively as an institutional member of the Broadcast Education Association; the University Film and Video Association; the Texas Association of Broadcast Educators; Society for Cinema and Media Studies; and the Radio, Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) student chapter.

Scholarships

The Department of Radio, Television and Film scholarships are awarded each year in the spring semester. Information for applications is posted in January. Scholarship money is applied toward tuition in the fall term/semester.

Cindy Coyle Memorial Scholarship is an academic scholarship for a student in the Department of Radio, Television and Film who has expressed a career interest specifically in radio.

Edwin L. Glick Scholarship is an academic scholarship award to recognize demonstrated excellence and promise in the study of broadcasting and cable at the University of North Texas.

First Broadcasting RTVF Scholarship is an academic scholarship for a student in the Department of Radio, Television and Film who has demonstrated an interest in radio broadcasting as a career through participation with either KNTU or off-campus internships.

Kathleen Woodby Scholarship is a scholarship for undergraduate students in the Department of Radio, Television and Film.

Mark Rybczyk Scholarship is a fund to support undergraduate students in the Department of Radio, Television and Film who have demonstrated merit, motivation and talent with the means to complete their education at the University of North Texas.

Paramount Pictures Undergraduate Scholarship is an academic scholarship award to recognize demonstrated excellence and promise in the study and production of electronic media and film at the University of North Texas.

Staples Graduate Scholarship is an academic scholarship awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Radio, Television and Film.

Westcott Foundation Scholarship is a fund to support undergraduate students in the Department of Radio, Television and Film who have demonstrated merit, motivation and talent with the means to complete their education at the University of North Texas.

Walter P. Deed Scholarship is an academic scholarship awarded to a student in the Department of Radio, Television and Film who has expressed a career interest in television engineering.

Requirements

Meet minimum entrance and academic performance standards of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Radio, Television and Film.
Students must be enrolled for at least 12 hours of study in both the spring and fall terms/semesters.
Enroll as full-time undergraduate major in the Department of Radio, Television and Film.
Minimum of 60 hours of course work toward a degree completed at the time of application.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 for courses taken at UNT.

Application

Applications are accepted in the spring term/semester after the call for applications is posted. An application must include the student’s name, ID number, hours completed through fall of the previous year, UNT GPA, overall GPA and name of an RTVF faculty familiar with your work. The following questions need to be addressed in a typed letter of application:

What are your professional goals upon graduation from UNT?
How have you prepared to accomplish these goals through your education and outside activities?
How will this award help you accomplish your goals?

Programs

Majors

Undergraduate Academic Certificates

Courses

Converged Broadcast Media

Radio/Television/Film

Quicklinks

Catalog