About PhD Program,
Our communication studies PhD program prepares you for a successful career in both post-secondary teaching and research. No matter which concentration you choose, this program emphasizes the connections between sub-fields of communication.
Students may apply to the PhD program with a bachelor’s degree or a masters. All accepted to the program receive five years of full funding support. We make every attempt to provide all of the support necessary for our students to enroll in a timely fashion, complete their degrees, and gain meaningful academic employment. Transfer credits for equivalent graduate-level work will be accepted.
The integrative five-year plan allows for coordinated and staged development. However, students entering with an MA in communication studies might be able to truncate the program and finish in a total of four years, if they so choose.
In your first year, you will join your cohort in taking an introductory seminar and all students attend the departmental Research Colloquium (COMM 8000). The First-Year Seminar (COMM 8101) introduces students to the discipline—including central concepts, theory, and debates that cross-tracks—and provides an introduction to essential aspects of graduate-level scholarship. In the first year, you develop the skills for specific milestone-oriented work to come, such as how to write a quality literature review, articulate a research question, and methodological design.
In your second year, you will continue to take courses in the department and in affiliated departments related to your specific research interests. By the end of the year, you will write a publishable literature review that demonstrates a high level of competence in your field of interest.
During the third year, you will complete remaining coursework and prepare three “field statements.” These take-home papers serve as written preliminary examinations and demonstrate advanced knowledge in:
- your major field of study (e.g., critical media studies, rhetoric, interpersonal communication)
- your chosen subfield (e.g., materialist rhetoric, family communication, environmental communication, etc.)
- and the final statement is a detailed syllabus that includes your pedagogical philosophy and orientation to teaching in your field or subfield. These are followed by an oral exam after which you are advanced to candidacy to write your dissertation.
After a funded summer producing your dissertation prospectus, your final two years are dedicated to dissertation research and writing. One of several benefits of having two years to complete the dissertation is the ability to apply for grants, fellowships, and jobs without having to do all of that in a single year.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
As a general rule, an undergraduate average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is considered necessary for applicants, though the actual average of those who are recommended for admission is much higher. Undergraduate grades are looked at carefully. The pattern of preparation and grades across time and fields are considered. Grades in the major field and in the junior/senior years are given special attention. An average of 3.5 in the master’s is typically necessary for admission to the doctoral program.
GRE scores are not taken into consideration for admission. There is no need to submit any scores. This is the most current and accurate requirement—any other sites indicating a need to submit a GRE score are inaccurate and should be disregarded.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Our PhD students receive five academic years of full support. This assumes satisfactory performance and degree progress. Full support involves a 50% appointment as a graduate instructor or teaching assistant for a normal academic year. The current base salary is about $20,007. Tuition benefits are included as a part of the appointment, as is subsidized health care. However, students are required to pay the relevant fees required of all graduate and professional students and to pay for their own incidentals (room and board, transportation, health care premiums, etc.).
Summer funding, typically provided through fellowship, instructorship, or research assistantship, is guaranteed for one summer to each doctoral student during their time in their department. In recent years, we have been able to offer more than one summer of funding thanks to our endowment funds and block grant.
Application Requirement,
- A strong statement of purpose telling us exactly why you want a graduate degree from our department
- A one-page statement on how you would contribute to the diversity of our student body
- Writing sample of academic nature
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume/ CV
- Unofficial transcripts
- TOEFL exam scores, if applicable
- An application fee
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- International ($95.00)
- S. citizen/permanent resident ($75.00)
