The Doctor of Philosophy in Communication requires 60 credits including 45 credits of graduate level coursework, 6 credits of graduate research (to be completed in the second year), and 9 credits of dissertation for students entering the program with a baccalaureate degree. Students entering the program with a Master’s degree will require a minimum of 33 credits of coursework, including declaring a concentration, and 9 credits of dissertation. The program is designed to be completed in four years (three years of coursework and candidacy exams, one year of candidacy for dissertation completion).
No one class may be used to fulfill more than one requirement in completion of the PhD.
Research Competency Courses:
Research Methodology Requirement:
If a student finds a course not on the lists that they would like to use to fulfill part of the research competency requirement it must be approved by their academic advisor and a request must be made for its evaluation by the Department of Communication’s Graduate Director.
One of the following:
Students must take 3 credits from the Research Methodology course list.
If a student finds a course not on the lists above that they would like to use to fulfill part of the research competency requirement it must be approved by their academic advisor and a request must be made for its evaluation by the Department of Communication’s Graduate Director.
One of the following:
Students must take 3 credits from the Statisical Methods course list.
During their second year, in addition to coursework, each student will complete 6 credits of research. The student is to develop, design, and implement a piece of original research, with guidance from a faculty committee of the student’s choosing.
Students are to enroll in 3 credits during their fall semester and 3 credits during their spring semester.
Students must take 9 additional course credits over the course of their program. Students may take no more than one 3-credit independent study (COMM 866 - Special Problem). If a student would like to take a course from outside of the Communication Department they may with prior approval by their academic advisor and the Department of Communication’s Graduate Director.
Communication Colloquium:
Students must enroll in the COMM 890 each semester they are enrolled in coursework for a total of up to six semesters.
Each student will choose and declare one of three concentrations within the Communication program by the end of their first academic year. Concentration requirements consist of the completion of three concentration courses (9 credits) from their chosen concentration.
Students must also complete one 3 credit course from each of their non-chosen concentrations (6 total credits).
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