Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Urban Sustainability

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Communication can apply to earn a Ph.D. in Communication with a dual-title in Urban Sustainability. This dual-title degree is designed to prepare researchers and professionals to solve challenging urban problems that require working across disciplines. Students enrolled in this dual title program will take courses in topics and develop specific skills relating to urban sustainability across several departments. Students in the program will also undertake activities such as community service, participate in colloquiums, and prepare a funding proposal related to urban sustainability. The dual-title coursework follows competencies outlined by the Transformative Research in Urban Sustainability Training program.

The multi-disciplinary breadth of the dual-title Ph.D. program positions graduates to complete their doctoral work with the knowledge, network, and practical skills to be successful in the emerging field of urban sustainability. Graduates of the program are positioned to apply for jobs in both academia and industry. They have the theoretical and practical knowledge as well as the analytical tools to work in the fields of crisis communication, environmental communication, health communication, organizational communication, risk communication, which offer employment opportunities in both academic departments and various industry sectors.

Admission to the Ph.D. program in Communication is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School of Wayne State University. Admission is
competitive and is based on an applicant's entire academic record. The stated requirements are minimum standards for consideration and do not guarantee admission. Applicants should be aware that application materials are subject to close review and that evidence of academic misconduct, including plagiarism, can be grounds to deny admission. Admission to the Ph.D. program requires that the applicant at the minimum have (a) an undergraduate degree in communication or a closely related field, (b) an M.A. degree in communication or a closely related field, (c) a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the M.A. degree, and (d) strong writing and analytical skills. The Ph.D. application requires a completed application form, transcripts, statement of purpose, writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Applicants should complete the online Application for Graduate Admission. A sample of written scholarship that cites academic scholarship, such as a term paper, M.A. thesis, manuscript in progress, conference paper, or published journal article or book chapter. Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant's
scholarly potential. These also must be submitted through the online application system. An academic curriculum vitae or professional resume is recommended but not required. International applicants whose native language is not English or applicants whose undergraduate degree is not from an English-speaking country are also required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo scores to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Scores must be within five years of the date of proposed admission. Unofficial scores should be uploaded to the online application site prior to the official scores being sent. The minimum acceptable score is 100 on the TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT), 7 on the IELTS, and 110 on Duolingo.