Ph.D. Course of Study

Program Objectives The Ph.D. program is designed to equip students for the range of responsibilities they will encounter as faculty members and as researchers. Upon graduation, students will have working knowledge in the following five areas:

• The factors influencing the effectiveness of information technologies, including a wide range of psychological social and structural factors
• The quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies applicable to conducting communication research
• An expertise in a content area outside of the Journalism and Media Communication department
• A technical expertise in information technologies. For example, students may develop skills in website development, digital video editing, or related hardware and applications for specific media
• The instructional methods and presentation skills appropriate for higher education and industry

Course of Study

Prior to matriculation, students should hold a master’s degree in communication, journalism, or a related field. The program takes a minimum of three years to complete, which includes two full-time years in residence to complete course work and pass the preliminary examination and one year to complete a dissertation. Recent students’ dissertations have focused on a variety of communication-related issues and problems.

Students complete a minimum of 72 post-baccalaureate credits to earn a Ph.D. in Media Communication. Credits from a student’s master’s program may be used to help meet this requirement. Requirements include 19 credits of methods, 23 credits of theory (both general and specific to each student’s interests), 12 credits in a cognate outside of the department, and 9 credits involving creation and completion of the dissertation. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their time in the Ph.D. program.

To learn more about the specific course requirements, see the Ph.D. Program Requirements. See the graduate courses page for course descriptions.