About PhD Program,
The Department of Communication and Media is a top department at an internationally renowned university. The newly redesigned Ph.D. in Communication and Media at the University of Michigan is an interdisciplinary program with two major strengths: the Social Scientific Analysis of Mass Media Effects and the humanities-based study of Media, Culture and Society.
What is distinctive about our program is that we introduce students to both humanities and social science methods and traditions, encourage students to choose the approaches that best suit their areas of interest, and especially promote the use of multi-methodological techniques.
The program offers a solid foundation in communication studies while also permitting you to design a highly individualized program of study tailored to fit your needs and interests. The program will provide you with advanced knowledge of the latest research and theory in the field, a solid understanding of the major analytical approaches to communication studies, and opportunities to do original and collaborative research beginning in your very first year of the program. To see if our program is a match for your interests, see our research strengths.
Our faculty share a strong interest in the media’s ability to advance or undermine democratic processes and institutions, their role in shaping individual and group identities, their centrality to globalization, their industrial practices, how they are regulated, and their persuasive capabilities.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The faculty take all parts of an application into consideration. The selection process is very competitive. Applicants are expected to be well-prepared for graduate study. The department does not have an official minimum GPA or GRE score.
You are eligible to apply as long as you have a US equivalent bachelor’s degree. However, strong candidates for the program will have with some prior research experience or research exposure. If you did not participate in research as an undergraduate student (e.g., by working as a research assistant or by completing an honor’s thesis), you may also have gained that experience by pursing a Master’s degree.
International applicants need not complete this document in order to be considered for admission to the program.
PhD Funding Coverage
Our program provides assistance to all admitted students for the full five years of their study. We offer students a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships that include tuition remission, a stipend, and eligibility to participate in the University’s health benefits program.
- Tuition for pre-candidates in the 2022-2023 academic year is $12,947/term for Michigan residents, and $26,062/term for non-Michigan residents.
- Tuition for candidates in the 2022-2023 academic year is $6,924/term for both Michigan and non-Michigan residents.
- The stipend rate in the 2022-2023 academic year for graduate student instructors (teaching assistants) at a 50% appointment level is $12,027/term.
- Health benefits for most students are covered by their funding package and range in cost from $1,240/term (2022 rates). The cost will go up in 2023.
- Dental plans are also covered for most students by their funding package and starts at $21.34 per month (2022 rates).
Fellowship grants are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and the admission committee’s expectations of student accomplishments. The department also offers Rackham Merit Fellowships to students from culturally, geographically or educationally underrepresented groups in our discipline or at the University. For more on the Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) for newly admitted graduate students, please visit the RMF website.
The department also has funds to provide students with summer support. This support comes in several forms including: collaborative research fellowships, support for summer research methods coursework, teaching assistantships, and research assistant positions.
Applicants who are also interested in determining their eligibility for Federal Financial Aid should refer to the Office of Financial Aid for instructions and contact information.
Application Requirement,
All applicants are required to submit the following materials:
Application
Transcripts
Statement of Purpose
Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation
GRE Scores
Additional Information for International Students
Writing Sample (optional)
Application Deadline
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is due when you submit your application. The fee is non-refundable and subject to change. If you pay the application fee and you are later approved to receive a fee waiver, the fee will not be refunded.
- United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, $75
- Non-U.S. citizens, $90
- Current Rackham student (regardless of citizenship) $10
