About PhD Program,
Communication and media are among the most powerful forces shaping the world today. In our Communication and Media Studies PhD program, you’ll work with some of the world’s top media and communication experts to research and contribute to this crucial field. Our school is one of the nation’s oldest accredited schools of journalism and communication, housed within an Association of American Universities R1 research institution.
In our doctoral program, you’re more than just a student. You’ll work as a co-author, scholar, and teacher as part of a welcoming and inclusive community influenced by perspectives from across many disciplines and cultures around the world. You’ll also conduct impactful research that contributes to the field and your research portfolio under the guidance of SOJC faculty advisors.
Our faculty are internationally recognized experts in many media and communication research topics, including science, health, and environmental communication; technology and society; game studies; global media; critical/cultural approaches to communication; persuasion and media psychology; media and public life; immersive and visual media; film; and more.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
To obtain a PhD in Communication and Media Studies from the SOJC, you’ll need to complete approximately 81 graduate course credits beyond the master’s level. The credits include a core sequence you’ll take in your first year as well as coursework in research methods, a communication and media studies specialty, and a field outside the SOJC, plus at least 18 dissertation credits. After passing comprehensive exams and receiving dissertation proposal approval, ideally no later than fall term of your third year, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to original research and a dissertation that contributes to the field.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Many avenues of support are available to help fund your graduate education at the University of Oregon. Graduate Employee positions span from teaching to research to administrative assistantships. Additional scholarships, fellowships, and awards are offered by the UO and through external funding organizations. Now is a good time to start exploring all the options!
The Division of Graduate Studies administers a range of annual fellowships and research awards for graduate students. Additional fellowships and awards are available from other departments, units, and research centers throughout the University of Oregon. We also can help connect you with a variety of support opportunities offered by agencies and entities outside the UO.
Application Requirement,
All application materials become the property of the University of Oregon and will not be returned. You’ll need:
General Info: Just the basics—name and contact info, residency status, and education level.
Transcripts: Please note that applicants to the doctoral program must have a master’s degree by the time the program begins in September. As part of your application, you’ll need to upload PDFs of your unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, including the University of Oregon. If you are admitted to the UO and choose to enroll, you will then need to ask the educational institutions where you received your bachelor’s degree(s) and master’s degree(s) to send official transcripts to the UO Office of the Registrar. For complete guidelines, refer to the Division of Graduate Studies’ instructions to submit official transcripts.
Personal Statement: Write 750–1,000 words about your past academic and professional experience, your academic and career goals for the future, and how our graduate program will get you there.
Resumé or CV: We want to see what you’ve been up to in your academic career and your professional life.
Writing Sample: For the Communication and Media Studies PhD program, include an abstract and one or more chapters of your master’s thesis. If you didn’t write a thesis, submit a recent research paper.
Letters of Recommendation: Submit contact information for three to four people familiar with your intellectual and creative ability, academic record, and/or professional experience. They’ll get an automated email linking to a recommendation form.
Test Scores: The GRE is not required for this program. We require Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for non-native speakers (see below). TOEFL and IELTS scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of submitting the application. In addition to self-reporting your test scores in the online application, you must also send the official report of your test scores directly to the UO code 4846.
English Language Proficiency: If English is not your native/primary language, you will need to prove proficiency through one of these three methods:
- TOEFL Score:The SOJC requires a minimum score of 600 (paper test) or 100 (online test).
- IELTS Score:The UO requires a minimum Academic score of at least 7.0 overall band.
Degree from English-Speaking Country: Submit degree transcripts proving you have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or from an institution in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.
Application Deadline,
Jan 01, 2025
Application Fee,
There is a nonrefundable $70 application fee ($90 for international students).
