Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Rhetoric

The Ph.D. in Communication and Rhetoric is distinguished by its commitment to the integrated, interdisciplinary study of media, communication, and society. Situated within the country's oldest technological university that brings together science with the humanities, the CMRT Ph.D. is an exciting and flexible program for students wishing to bring cutting edge theory and practice to their chosen research agendas. Building on our historic reputation in media and communication studies within technological environments, the CMRT Ph.D. prepares students to study contemporary interactions with multimedia, multicultural and multisensory texts. Our internationally recognized research faculty work in a variety of media-centered disciplines and methods, including Media Studies (Film/Video, TV, Photography, and Social Media), Communication, Data Visualization, Human-Centered Design, Visual Culture, Mixed-reality Pedagogy, Creative and Strategic Writing, Sensory Studies and Anthropology. The CMRT Ph.D. consists of an interdisciplinary core with flexible tracks that students can tailor to their research interests under the direction of their advisors in the Department.

The current migration of theory, method, and research across disciplines is exhilarating as well as profound. The doctoral program offers a centralized curriculum of foundational seminars in theory, method, and practice that complements offerings within the Department of Communication and Media. Students have the opportunity to work with cognitive and computer scientists, artists, critical game theorists as well as scholars in STS. Additionally, doctoral students are encouraged to utilize labs and other experimental spaces throughout the campus.

For admission to graduate study, an applicant must have a U.S. bachelor's degree or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree prior to enrollment.
Transcripts and Degrees must be in English (all post-secondary education, including transcript keys).
Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded to your graduate application. The minimum requirement for admission consideration is the completion and award of a four year U.S. bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, by the time of planned enrollment.
Personal Statement
Resume or curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation
Portfolio, if required by department

TOEFL score of 88 iBT
IELTS score of 6.5