Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

The graduate program in communication offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The program prepares students for academic and management positions, as well as advancement within current career fields.

The department tailors student research projects and academic programs to individual needs and interests. Students may take interdisciplinary graduate course work to enhance their program of study.

The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in four (4) years, and requires at least 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree. These hours will be in a planned course of study approved and overseen by the student's adviser and supervisory committee.

Students with a master's degree in another discipline may be required to complete additional graduate course work in specific areas of communication deemed necessary by the student's adviser and advisory committee. Graduate work taken beyond the master's degree may be judged applicable by the advisory committee, but post-master's graduate credits beyond 9 semester hours will not count toward the 60 credit minimum required for the Ph.D.

To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must meet the Graduate School requirements. In addition to materials required by the Graduate School applicants must submit:

A CV or resume which clearly identifies your current position, including your responsibilities, your professional publications and papers, your service and professional activity, and your teaching and training experiences.
A scholarly writing sample where the candidate is first author (single authorship preferred), such as a master's thesis, proposal, or chapter, a conference paper, or a final course paper.
Evidence of effective teaching potential (please include one or more of the following): teaching evaluations, teaching philosophy statement, recommendation letter(s) that speak to experience or potential of applicant, peer evaluations/observations, sample syllabi, sample lesson plan/assignment, etc.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
TOEFL test results (required for international students).

At the baccalaureate level, the applicant must have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, or equivalent, to attain full standing in a graduate degree program. Applicants whose last degree completed is a graduate degree may be admitted in full standing if the final GPA of that degree is at least 3.0 or equivalent.

600 - TOEFL PBT, 100 - TOEFL IBT, 7.0 - IELTS