About PhD Program,
Our world-class graduate training will prepare you to conduct socially relevant, theoretically motivated, and methodologically rigorous communication research. Students choose our program in order to work with our distinguished faculty and to be trained in cutting-edge theory and methods. Our strong commitment to mentorship and individualized advising, means we aim to have every student feel supported and productive
Researchers in the department use a range of cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative approaches to advance the study of communication across contexts. Graduate students are trained in one or more core areas: Interpersonal & Intergroup Communication, Media & Digital Communication, and Organizational & Group Communication. Read more about our research…
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- A) Undergrad Degree in Related Field:Preparation for doctoral study in communication normally includes an undergraduate degree in communication or a closely related social science. Applicants with a Master’s degree from another university are encouraged to apply to the doctoral program.
- B) Not a Terminal MA Program: The UCSB Department of Communication does NOT have a Master’s-only (terminal Master’s) program.
- C) A Commitment to Research: In addition, the applicant’s record should reflect a commitment to research. The statement of purpose should include a description of research experience and research interests. Applicants are encouraged to gain familiarity with the research of our faculty (refer to Faculty and Selected Publications), and to indicate in their statement of purpose how their own personal interests match with those of certain faculty members. Strong letters of recommendation that include specific details about the applicant’s educational and/or research background are preferred over letters that contain only abstract generalizations about the applicant.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Our graduate students receive teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships during their time here, which means no student is admitted to our program without funding. As teaching assistants or research assistants, graduate students’ tuition fees, health insurance, and campus-based fees are all covered, and they receive a monthly paycheck over a 9-month period. Although not guaranteed each year, our graduate students often receive a financial bonus each summer and have the option to volunteer for summer teaching, which is accompanied by additional compensation.
Teaching assistantships are the most common source of funding in our department. During their first year in the graduate program, students usually hold teaching assistantship positions where they lead several discussion sections of the introductory communication courses for pre-majors. Afterward, they may act as teaching assistants for upper division courses, where they attend faculty lectures, hold office hours, and grade assignments. When faculty have grant funding, graduate students may work as paid research assistants.
Graduate Division Financial Support
The Graduate Division’s Financial Support page is a good resource for information about funding and financial support at UCSB. This page has FAQs about financial issues; information about the FAFSA, student loans and other financial aid; information on internal and external fellowships; information about taxation of fellowships and assistantships; information about academic appointments and other employment opportunities on campus; and an estimated graduate student budget.
Application Requirement,
4) Personal History and Diversity Statement
6) 3 Letters of Recommendation
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
A non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. The application fee is:
- One hundred thirty-five dollars ($135.00) for domestic applicants
- One hundred fifty-five dollars ($155.00) for international applicants
