Communication (PhD)

Program Educational Goals:

A graduate of our Ph.D. in Communication program will be able to:

Articulate the central theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts of the discipline.
Apply communication science theory and methods to conduct research on complex questions and societal problems.
Demonstrate a capacity to communicate research findings to academic and lay audiences.
Conduct independent and cooperative research that is publishable in the communication discipline’s core peer-reviewed journals.
Establish competency in teaching at the undergraduate level.
Incorporate ethical communication principles and practices into their research and teaching.
Recognize the cultural basis of communication and acknowledge their own standpoint, with respect for the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Employ communication strategies to resolve challenges and empower people.
Appreciate the landscape and norms of pursuing an academic career in the communication discipline.

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements for the Degree:

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).

Communication Core Requirements:

No one class may be used to fulfill more than one requirement in completion of the PhD.

Theory:

9 credits.

COMM 601 - Epistemology and Theory in Communication Credit(s): 3
COMM 606 - Foundations of Contemporary Communication Theory Credit(s): 3
Three additional credits from a theory driven course whose topic lies within the student’s focused program of study.

Research Methodology:

9 credits.

COMM 603 - Communication Research Methods - Procedures Credit(s): 3
Six additional credits of research methods courses, focused on different research methodologies that would best benefit a student’s focused program of study.

Statistical Methodology:

9 credits.

COMM 604 - Communication Research Methods - Analysis Credit(s): 3
Three additional credits of advanced generalist statistics courses.
Three additional credits from specialist statistics courses.

Second Year Graduate Research:

6 credits.

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.

COMM 868 - Research Credit(s): 1-12

Focused Program of Study:

18 credits.

Program built with advisor to best serve the research and programmatic interests of the student. No more than 9 of these 18 credits may be taken from outside of the Department of Communication. Students may take no more than two 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 Communication Colloquium each semester they are enrolled in coursework for a total of up to six semesters.

COMM 890 - Communication Colloquium Credit(s): 0-3

Dissertation:

9 credits.

COMM 964 - Pre-Candidacy Study Credit(s): 1-12
COMM 989 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12

Communication (PhD)

Program Educational Goals:

Program Policy Document:

Requirements for the Degree:

Communication Core Requirements:

Theory:

Research Methodology:

Statistical Methodology:

Second Year Graduate Research:

Focused Program of Study:

Communication Colloquium:

Dissertation:

Credits to Total a Minimum of 60

Last Revised for 2022-2023 Academic Year