phd communication fully funded

Mass Communications Ph.D.

Our fully-funded, interdisciplinary doctoral program will prepare you for a rewarding career in communications research and teaching.

Our program offers a stimulating intellectual environment where you may explore and specialize in a variety of topics, including media ethics and diversity; media sociology; new media; political communication; popular television; public relations; or social effects.

The doctoral program is designed to be completed in four years, with two years of coursework followed by qualifying exams and the dissertation.

Regina Luttrell

Associate dean, research and creative activity, associate professor, public relations, co-director, real chemistry emerging insights lab.

Anne Osborne

Doctoral program, media studies, communications.

Kristen Northrop

Assistant director.

Jenn Yoshioka

Administrative specialist.

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Communication, PhD

Annenberg is interdisciplinary by design. Members of the faculty and students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including Communication, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, History, and Law. Students are also encouraged to supplement their Communication courses with those offered through one of Penn’s 11 other distinguished schools. The result is a vibrant intellectual experience that trains students to apply and adapt diverse theories and methods to the cutting-edge communication issues of the twenty-first century.

All doctoral students are fully funded for up to five years, including tuition and fees, health care, teaching and research fellowships, and dissertation research fellowships. All students also receive yearly research and travel funds, allowing them to develop their research and present it at major national and international conferences. In addition to formal classes, students are able to work with faculty on grant-and center-supported projects, attend and participate in frequent colloquia and workshops, and engage in research and learning opportunities around the globe — all designed to enhance their intellectual growth and professional training.

Annenberg alumni go on to productive and fulfilling careers in academia as well as in research-oriented private and public-sector institutions.

The Annenberg Ph.D. program represents a five-year commitment. In addition to satisfactory completion of the core courses, all students are required to take a noncredit proseminar as well as introductory classes in research methods and statistics. In order to progress to dissertation stage, candidates must  complete the following milestones: Qualifications Evaluation, Comprehensive Exams, and Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defense.

For more information: https://www.asc.upenn.edu/academics/graduate-program

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Required Courses 

All Ph.D. students must take at least one separate class with each of at least five different members of the ASC standing faculty. The intent of this is to foster students’ knowledge of a diverse range of approaches to communication.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Sample Plan of Study

​​​​A typical course plan for a student entering the program without a Master’s degree includes these components:

• Seven semesters of courses, typically three courses per semester
• A Qualifications Evaluation (see below) at the end of semester 4
• A dissertation proposal defense in semester 8
• Dissertation research in semesters 8 through 10
• Dissertation defense and graduation at the end of semester 10

Program Milestones

• Qualifications Evaluation  (QE) is a review conducted to ensure doctoral students have the requisite skills, creativity, initiative, and plans to successfully complete their degree, including their dissertation. The QE must be completed at the end of the semester during which the student accumulates 12 classes (at least eight of which must be acquired at Penn) toward the degree, but no earlier than the end of the first year.
• Comprehensive Exams:  In order to advance to candidacy, become eligible to defend the dissertation proposal and to receive a dissertation research fellowship (DRF), students must successfully pass a comprehensive examination. These exam cover theory, methods and research in the student’s field of expertise. 
• Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defense:  Before becoming eligible for a dissertation research fellowship and beginning work on the dissertation, the student must submit and defend a proposal for dissertation research to his or her Dissertation Committee. The proposal is a full statement of the research problem, including its theoretical rationale and methodology. 

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Doctor of Philosophy Media, Culture, and Communication

Grounded in an interdisciplinary approach to the study of media and culture, our doctorate draws from a rich array of disciplines and theoretical frameworks. Department expertise spans the globe: the Middle East, East Asia, the Global South, Africa, and Europe. Our faculty generate some of the most original scholarship in their respective fields, creating a stimulating environment in which to pursue graduate work.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

PhD in Media, Culture, and Communication

Research Focus

Alumni placements, funding for full-time phd students.

Five research areas operate as guiding frameworks for intellectual inquiry across the department: Global Communication and Media, Technology and Society, Visual Culture and Sound Studies, Media Industries and Politics, Interaction and Experience.

Your work as a doctoral student will be shaped by our commitment to:

• Engaging with theoretical concepts from a range of disciplines—media and cultural studies, visual culture, history, science and technology studies, anthropology, sociology, disability studies, sound studies, political science.
• A multi-methodological approach to research—from semiotics, global ethnography, gender and queer theory, critical race theory, qualitative and quantitative discourse analysis, to political/cultural economy, among other critical frameworks.
• A global perspective—conceiving of the global mediascape as transnational and transcultural.
• Recognizing media and technology’s long history and antecedents.

Read some sample dissertation abstracts .

After graduating, alumni join academic departments of media and communication, with placement in the social sciences and interdisciplinary humanities becoming increasingly common. MCC PhDs who graduated in the past ten years are now tenure-track or tenured professors at the University of California, Berkeley; University of Washington, Seattle; Cornell University; Stanford University; UCLA; Rutgers; Fordham; University of Michigan; George Mason University; University of North Carolina; University of Arizona; College of Charleston; Memorial University of Newfoundland; University of San Francisco; Scripps; Pratt; University of Maryland; American University of Beirut; American University of Paris, Ryerson University; Trent University; St. Joseph’s College.

Over the past decade, our PhD graduates have received numerous prestigious postdocs, including a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities in the Department of Comparative Media Studies/Writing at MIT; Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship at MIT's Center for Art, Science, and Technology; Postdoctoral Fellow, Berkman Klein Center, Harvard University; Postdoctoral Researcher, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science; Postdoctoral, Center for Information Technology Policy, Princeton University; Postdoctoral Fellowship at Rice University in Technology, Culture, and Society; Research Associate, Center for Digital Humanities, Princeton University; Postdoctoral Fellow, Media, Inequality & Change Center, University of Pennsylvania.

If you are accepted as a full-time NYU Steinhardt PhD student without an alternate funding source, you are eligible for our competitive funding package, which includes a scholarship and tuition remission.  Learn more about our funding opportunities .

Graduate Leadership

Associate Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication; PhD Director

Susan Murray

Department chair and professor of media, culture, and communication.

If you have additional questions about our degree, please contact us at [email protected] .

Alumni Profiles

Jacob Gaboury (PhD 2014)

Jacob is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Film & Media at the University of California, Berkeley. His dissertation "Image Objects: An Archaeology of Computer Graphics, 1965-1979" investigated the early history of computer graphics and the role they play in the move toward new forms of simulation and object oriented design.

Xiaochang Li (PhD 2017)

Xiaochang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford University. Her teaching and research interests include the history of computing and information systems, AI and algorithmic culture, speech and language technology, and software/platform studies. Before joining Stanford, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin.

Hatim El-Hibri (PhD 2012)

Hatim is Assistant Professor of Film and Media Studies at George Mason University. His research examines media technologies and urban space in the Middle East. His dissertation traced the history of the visualization of Beirut, from the politics of aerial photography and mapping during the French Mandate, to the visual economy of postwar construction, to the materiality of Hizballah's live satellite television.

Liz Koslov (PhD 2017)

Liz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. Previously, she was a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT. Her research examines the cultural, political, and sociological dimensions of climate change adaptation. Her first book project, Retreat: Moving to Higher Ground in a Climate-Changed City , is under advance contract with the University of Chicago Press.

Devon Powers (PhD 2008)

Devon is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Advertising, Media & Communication at Temple University. Powers' research interests include popular music, 20th century history, and cultural intermediation – the people and processes that operate "in between" the production and consumption of culture. Powers completed a fellowship at the University of Leeds in 2014, and was recently elected Vice Chair of the Popular Communication Division of the International Communication Association.

Matthew Powers (PhD 2013)

Matthew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington-Seattle. His dissertation "Humanity's Publics: NGOs, Journalism and the International Public Sphere" examined reporting roles assumed by international NGOs as legacy media outlets cut their foreign news budgets, and received the Gene Burd Outstanding Dissertation in Journalism Studies award from the International Communication Association. 

Media, Culture, and Communication

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• SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

PhD in Communication Studies - Northwestern University School of Communication

The Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetoric, Media, and Publics is replacing the PhD in Communication Studies (Rhetoric and Public Culture). Rhetoric, Media, and Publics is an interschool program between the School of Communication, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and the Medill School of Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications; and it is based in the School of Communication.

The Rhetoric, Media, and Publics PhD program, grounded in the humanistic tradition of rhetoric, asks the fundamental question of how people influence, reflect, and transform society through mediated practices. Students learn to analyze the production and circulation of meaning in a range of rhetorical and journalistic texts, practices, and institutions through varied modes of qualitative inquiry, and to engage audiences and communities directly in the production of knowledge. The stakes of this inquiry are profoundly social and political as well as formal and aesthetic. The program teaches students to approach public media as sites for political contestation, for the representation and interrogation of ethics and power, and for imagining personhood and collective life.

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Communication (PhD)

You will acquire the leading-edge theory and research methodologies you need to shape a more ethical and just world. 

Whether you seek a career in academia, the industry, or governmental and non-governmental organizations, you will become a critical educator and researcher of communication through rigorous coursework, independent and collaborative research projects, and teaching opportunities.

You will work side by side with your peers and our distinguished faculty to advance knowledge in the field while creating interdisciplinary solutions to complex societal and organizational problems. At the same time, you will build a professional network of worldwide and lifelong connections with fellow scholars and practitioners.

USC Annenberg’s location at the heart of a top-tier research university and in the dynamic city of Los Angeles provides you with the ideal setting to explore ways to inventively fuse your scholarship and expertise in communication studies with disciplines such as political science, international relations, sociology and information sciences as well as gender, media and popular culture studies.

Program Information

• Learning Objectives
• Research and Teaching
• Areas of Study
• Current Doctoral Students
• Class Profile

By the numbers

Student and faculty work.

Changing the world through better communication

Former U.S. Navy Blue Angels team member Amber Lynn Scott became interested in studying high-reliability organizations for her dissertation to make a positive impact for military and first responders.

Requiem for a meme

Alexandria Arrieta researches how the intersection of memes and music are having a profound impact on people’s communication and connection across social media.

Making social media a better tool for political activism

With his lifelong interest in politics, Alfonso Hedge realized Annenberg’s doctoral program would be the perfect place to study how grassroots political organizations use social media.

From music to AI

Event promoter and DJ Stephen Yang examines the on-the-ground practices of technologists and media professionals as they reshape the culture of production.

Jermaine Anthony Richards named 2023 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow

The merit-based program provides funding for Richards to explore his research on how transmedia storytelling animates human security politics, security cultures, and political movements.

Exploring identity through social media

Samah Sadig shares her passion for identity, expression and education — and how it all brought her to USC Annenberg.

Work on groundbreaking research with expert faculty

As innovations in information and communication technologies continue at a rapid pace, USC Annenberg remains at the forefront of efforts to explore these social, cultural, rhetorical and organizational processes. You will work and collaborate with fellow doctoral students, our world-class faculty, and industry and public/private sector professionals to advance research and insights across a wide range of interdisciplinary areas of study. You will also have the opportunity to lead research endeavors that impact scholarship and practice across the contemporary communications landscape.

Explore the research of USC Annenberg faculty and students. View the areas of study available to our PhD students.

Get to know your fellow students

The communication doctorate program enrolls students from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and educational experiences. Connect with fellow students by viewing their profiles and get to know USC Annenberg through their eyes.

Communication (PhD) faculty

Doctorate in Communication

With one of the nation's premier doctoral programs in Communication, the Annenberg School is a tight-knit, supportive community of scholars committed to advancing knowledge of our media environment.

Founded through the generosity and vision of publisher, diplomat, and philanthropist Walter Annenberg, the Annenberg School for Communication is devoted to furthering our understanding of the role of communication in public life through research, education, and service. Our five-year doctoral program has a strong reputation as one of the best in Communication, based on Annenberg’s unparalleled combination of world-class faculty , students , and alumni , as well as access to the larger intellectual and cultural resources of the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia .

In an inherently interdisciplinary field, Annenberg researchers are engaged with a spectrum of topics related to health, politics, media systems, networks and digital culture, journalism, race and gender, and more, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Our Ph.D. program allows students to tailor a curriculum to suit their specific interests, and provides them the financial resources to launch their academic career. 

In addition to a full tuition waiver, our students currently receive an annual stipend as well as a budget for research and travel and health insurance for all five years.

Annenberg is the smallest of the 12 schools at Penn, and it functions as close-knit community of scholars whose doors are always open to one another. Our students also appreciate our staff , who routinely go above and beyond to support them.

Please note that we do not have a standalone master’s degree program at this time. All students are admitted directly into the doctoral program.

Request for More Information

Our Students By the Numbers

Here are some fast facts about our students and the admissions process . Get to know Annenberg!

Students currently in the program

Different nationalities represented by our students, applicants each year, students accepted each year, average undergraduate gpa of applicants, average toefl of admitted candidates, of students came from a previous graduate degree program, of students worked in a career before joining annenberg, of students came straight to annenberg from an undergraduate degree.

Our Faculty

Our graduate faculty is at the heart of the school. Their innovative work, often in collaboration with students, pushes the field of Communication forward.

Students on Video

Hear from some of the Annenberg School's doctoral students as they talk about their work and what brought them to Annenberg.

What is it like to be a doctoral student at the International Communication Association annual conference? We followed four students to find out.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctoral candidate Kelly Diaz used her phone to document the many signs displayed in yards and windows around her West Philadelphia home. She has now collected that body of work into a  photo essay .

Doctoral Candidate and artist Roopa Vasudevan studies the ways that the everyday technologies shape our daily lives.

What is it like to be a Ph.D. student? We followed five of our students through their daily activities.

Prateekshit Pandey works with the Communication Neuroscience Lab to study how the brain reacts to humor. 

Buenos Aires-native María Celeste Wagner looks at how gender influences credibility in news. 

Jennifer Henrichsen studies the way that journalists adopt information security technologies to protect themselves and their sources.

Our Students

Annenberg's doctoral students represent a broad spectrum of interests, methodologies, and backgrounds. Here are just a few of our incredible students.

Arlene C. Fernández

Azsaneé Truss

Antoine Haywood

Danielle Clark

Neil Fasching

Tom W. Etienne

Azsaneé Truss Receives Penn Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Truss, who was a teaching fellow for two Communication courses in 2023, was nominated for the award by University of Pennsylvania students.

Three Annenberg Doctoral Candidates Awarded 2024 Sachs Program Grants

Kallahan Brown Named 2023 Presidential Ph.D. Fellow

Doctoral Students Collaborate With Philadelphia High School Students on Health Communication Research

The Annenberg School Welcomes Eight New Ph.D. Students in Its 2023 Cohort

Explore the Program

Learn more about life in the Annenberg Ph.D. program.

Financial Support

Curriculum & Milestones

Student Life

Applications for 2025-2026 will open by October

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PhD in Communication

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At the Intersection of Media, Technology, and Democracy

The AU School of Communication's Doctor of Philosophy in Communication allows you to research at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. We study how media and technology interact with democratic culture and politics. Communication creates culture; communication is a vector of power; communication is central to democratic action. Our normative orientation toward a healthier democratic process is a theme consistent with the core public service mission of American University. Internet governance, podcasts as news sources, disinformation on Twitter, digital surveillance, facial recognition and power, racism on social media, and state social-media propaganda are all topics of recent dissertations.

Our focus is at the cutting edge of the field of communication studies today, and our students routinely present at our leading conferences. Our approach is also interdisciplinary, and we benefit from the diverse intellectual resources across American University, such as those showcased at the Internet Governance Lab , the AU Game Center ,  the Center for Media & Social Impact , the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies , and the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) . We also tap into our relationships with NGOs, media companies, foundations, and government institutions throughout the Washington metro area. 

In our doctoral program, you'll produce scholarship, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, that has real-world connection and impact . Your work will position you well to pick from career options that range from the professoriate to public policy research to media production to government. 

This is a three-year PhD, and from the moment you arrive, you will be working in a highly-structured program toward your dissertation research, building your networks, and developing publishable projects. You will join us in using knowledge to address our most pressing political and social challenge s . We welcome your application to become a part of the next generation of communication scholars, professors, leaders, and practitioners.

Demonstrate Your Commitment and Interest

Applicants for the Communication (PhD) degree program must hold an accredited bachelor's degree and a master's degree in communication, or a related field, with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, unless the applicant demonstrates comparable experience. The degree does not have to be in the field of communication or be research-based, as many of our PhD students have master's degrees in film or journalism. 

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose that outlines the intended research area, what research methods and theories the applicant will use, and which faculty members the applicant hopes to work with.

The candidate must also submit either a master's thesis or another example of substantial research. The GRE is optional. Students should submit their official GRE scores to CEEB code 5007 if desired.

The School of Communication's PhD program operates on a hard deadline. Applications must be received by December 15th.  Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

A complete PhD application consists of the following:

• Statement of purpose
• University transcripts from all universities attended (transcripts from outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a NACES approevd organization)
• Two letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (optional)
• Master's thesis (or another example of substantial research)
• Proof of English proficiency (100 on the TOEFL, 7.0 on the IELTS, 120 on Duolingo, or a bachelor or master's degree from a university in an English speaking country)

The admissions committee may ask applicants to interview with the program director and affiliated faculty. Interviews are conducted either on campus or virtually.

Financing Your Education

Each year, we welcome several doctoral students with full tuition remission as well as a graduate assistantship . We may also offer admission to top candidates without merit funding. If funding becomes available, students admitted without funding may be eligible to receive a merit package from the school.

The PhD in Communication is 54 credit hours. To estimate the cost of tuition , please see the current cost per credit hour for graduate students.

Students whose funding package includes a graduate assistantship will work as research or teaching assistants for 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. 

The School of Communication offers graduate students both merit-based and need-based financial aid . Merit awards, named scholarships, and fellowships are administered by the SOC Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by the American University Office of Financial Aid . Several prestigious graduate fellowships are also available for students in the Political Communication program. Additional financial support is available for veterans .

Each year, we welcome several doctoral students with full tuition remission as well as a graduate assistantship. We may also offer admission to top candidates without merit funding. If funding becomes available, students admitted without funding may be eligible to receive a merit package from the school. 

All merit awards are based on your academic merit and professional experience , specifically your undergraduate grades and leadership activities as well as career-related accomplishments. Merit awards are valid for one year-they vary in amount, are typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters, and are not typically renewable.

Some merit awards come in the form of graduate assistantships , which consist of graduate tuition remission, a stipend, or both. Tuition remission will vary in the number of credits offered. If you are offered a stipend, you must employed as a graduate assistant for a School of Communication faculty member for 10 hours per week.

Graduate Fellowships for Political Communication

The School of Communication offers prestigious merit-based fellowships in partnership with leading Washington, DC-based media organizations. These fellowships provide varying amounts of tuition remission and stipend and allow you to pursue professional projects with some of the finest media organizations while completing your graduate program. Separate applications are required . 

Research fellowships at academic centers within the School of Communication and throughout the university may also be available.

Unless indicated, students may not accept both a graduate assistantship and a graduate fellowship.

 Advanced Study at Your Convenience 

The School of Communication makes continuing on for your advanced degree a simple, straightforward process. You may apply for admission to our combined bachelor of arts/master of arts program during the second semester of your junior year (after completing 75 credits, but before you have completed 90 credits). Students in any undergraduate major at AU are eligible for consideration. An undergraduate degree in communication is not required.

You may apply for combined degrees in Political Communication, Strategic Communication, Film and Video, Journalism and Public Affairs, Game Design, or International Media.

More information about admissions requirements can be found here.

Meet Our Students

Our students produce scholarship, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, that has real-world connection and impact.

Democracy is a Laughing Matter

In the Top 5 percent of Best Ranked Programs in Communication and Media Studies

According to College Factual

Course Progression

Complete your degree in three years.

In contrast to the traditional 9-month-per-year schedule, your annual course of study takes place over 11 months, including faculty supervision and mentoring via formal course work, organized research group meetings, and online collaboration. The  accelerated structure  of your program allows you to complete your degree in three years.

You'll take six required courses, three each in the fall and spring semester. Depending on your past master's coursework and professional experience, you may be able to petition for credit for methods and/or statistics course work, substituting an advanced methods course or other elective. The required teaching seminar prepares you to work as a teaching assistant in an undergraduate course during your second year of coursework. Students who have prior college teaching experience or who have already taken a similar teaching seminar as part of their master's program can place out of this course, substituting an additional elective. In the summer immediately following your first year, you'll enroll in one course for credit and participate in research group meetings.

COMM-704: Media, Technology & Democracy (3) This is a foundation overview course focused on scholarship and analysis concerning the intersections of media, technology, and democracy. It also introduces other core courses and study concentrations for advanced study in these topics.

COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory (3) This course examines a range of theories for explaining the complex interrelationships among media, technology, human behavior, social interaction, and democratic processes. It provides an in-depth comparative analysis of theoretical approaches from a variety of academic fields including mass communication, cultural studies, film criticism, and digital media.

COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods (3) This course covers major social scientific, historical, ethnographic, qualitative, and critical approaches to media research, including discussions of epistemology, conceptualization, measurement, and ethics.

COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy (3) This course equips students with a strong grounding in U.S laws, policies, and regulatory infrastructure. It analyzes how public debates and political struggles over policy issues have shaped the culture, structure, and operations of contemporary U.S. media industries and institutions.

COMM-711: Teaching Seminar (3) This course provides students with career preparation knowledge, including understanding the culture and history of higher education, teaching skills, and career skills including submission to journals, book proposals, finding appropriate job opportunities, writing cover letters and doing job interviews. Some individual coaching is also involved.

NOTE: This course begins the Friday BEFORE school starts in spring semester, with attendance at an all-day event, the Ann Ferren Conference. This affects your travel schedule over winter holidays!

Approved graduate statistics or research methods course (3) (by preference) OR

Elective selected in consultation with faculty mentor (3)

Note: Students will work with their faculty mentor, who must have an appropriate terminal degree, to select two electives for the first fall semester.

COMM-755: Research Design in Communication (3). This course strengthens student skills in defining an answerable research questions and finding appropriate methodologies.

In the fall, you'll take two electives and a course to prepare you for the comprehensive examinations. By the end of your fall semester, you'll be expected to have gained approval and to have finalized the four faculty members of your doctoral committee, with at least one member being from outside of the School of Communication. At the beginning of your spring semester, you'll begin your qualifying exams. This process takes approximately one month from the assignment of questions to a successful written and oral defense. You will also take a seminar to guide you in developing your dissertation proposal. By the end of the spring semester or beginning of the summer, students are expected to have successfully defended their dissertation proposals and to spend the summer focused on dissertation research.

COMM-860 Seminar in Doctoral Teaching and Research (3) Creation of dissertation literature review and preparation for the comprehensive exam. Introduction to teaching philosophies and strategies, preparation for scholarly career in Communication Studies.

Approved elective courses (6)

Approved graduate statistics or research methods course (3)

COMM-861: Advanced Research & Project Development (3) Prepares students for advancing to candidacy by taking the comprehensive exam and preparing a dissertation proposal.

COMM-898: Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (6) May be taken by doctoral students completing coursework, exams or proposals in preparation for advancement to candidacy.

In the fall and spring semesters, you'll register for dissertation research credits. During the fall and spring semesters, you will also probably be applying and interviewing for jobs, drawing upon information from your first-year course, COMM 711 and on your mentors’ advice. By late spring, your dissertation committee expects to have about six weeks to read and respond to a dissertation draft and to read and respond to a revised version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply to the phd in communication program.

Applicants could be interested in tenure track, faculty positions in academia, or seeking careers at prestigious institutions in government, industry, and/or the nonprofit community.

How can the PhD program help strengthen my pedagogical skills?

In addition to the teaching seminars and teaching assistantships that are part of the regular doctoral curriculum, The Art of Teaching is a one-credit course offered each spring semester for PhD students who want to learn more about educational pedagogy. The course was originally designed by American University's former provost, Milton Greenberg.

Previously known as the Greenberg Seminars for Effective Teaching, this course complements the PhD academic experience, providing hands-on, practical introduction to professional development and classroom techniques. PhD students can participate at any time during their PhD program. There is no tuition fee for the course.

What are areas of faculty expertise?

Our program is focused on impactful research at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. Our faculty and students study how media messages and communication technologies shape, and are shaped by, social and governmental processes. Specific sites of research range from Internet governance to music and film culture to social and political organizing to journalism to new media and games. We study communication patterns and their meanings across and between societies on a global scale, including, every continent in addition to indigenous and stateless groups. We draw upon cultural production, critical communication, science and technology studies, law and society perspectives, and other theories, and we use both quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as policy analysis.

What kinds of positions do alumni have now?

Our alumni have found full time and tenure-track jobs at universities throughout the U.S. and around the world, as well as prestigious post-doctoral positions and non-profit and government posts.

What kinds of collaborations can I expect with faculty?

You are assigned a mentor when you first arrive, a selection that results from both your stated interests and faculty interest. This assignment can change by request. You can expect to work with your mentor and, potentially, other faculty on research resulting in joint publications and conference presentations. In your second year, you may assist a faculty member with teaching. Several recent alumni have continued to collaborate with SOC faculty and student colleagues after graduation, resulting in dozens of published research articles, book chapters, and policy papers.

What other opportunities do the school and university offer?

The PhD program offers several PhD Symposia throughout the year, offering informal presentations of completed work and work in progress by both students and faculty. The  Internet Governance Lab , a joint program in the School of Communication and School of International Service, offers a range of activities throughout the year, putting a spotlight on Internet policy. The Center for Media & Social Impact offers workshops, events, a biannual conference, and research projects for which you can apply as research assistant. The AU Game Center  provides a community of scholars and graduate students in numerous programs across the university engaged in the design, production, and study of games, including the cultural and social impact of the medium, with substantial opportunities for collaboration with faculty, staff, and students across multiple related fields and contexts. The Institute for Immersive Designs, Experiences, Applications, and Stories (Institute for IDEAS) offers paid fellowships and research projects for which you can apply as a research assistant, often collaborating with faculty at other institutions. The PhD programs in the School of Communication, School of International Service, and School of Public Affairs jointly host a day-long research conference featuring work in progress by their PhD students, in February. The university-wide Center for Teaching, Research and Learning (CTRL) provides tools and programs throughout the year to help faculty and PhD students with best practices in teaching, and hosts an annual conference on teaching in January. PhD students are welcome, at no cost. CTRL also offers training and access to research tools . Finally, each PhD student receives enough annual funding to attend at least one major scholarly conference or event, anywhere in the world.

What are examples of dissertations students have written?

Our students have explored a wide diversity of interests with rigorous research, including dissertations such as:

• Lucy Odigie, “Digital Margins: Digital Technology Use, Social Change and the Empowering Strategies of Domestic Workers of Color in Brooklyn, NY”
• Isabelle Zaugg, “Ethiopic: Coding for Linguistic Survival in the Face of Digital Extinction”
• Aras Cosuntuncel, “Networking Authoritarian Neoliberalism: Realigned Strategies of Information Control and Resistance in the Case of Turkey” Dorian Davis, “The Twitter Election? New Perspectives on Agenda-Building during the 2016 Campaign”
• Louisa Imperiale, “Democracy for Sale: A Critical Examination of the Political-Media Complex at work in Campaign Finance and Political Broadcast Regulation in U.S. Presidential Elections from 1976 to 2016”
• Fernanda Rosa, “Global Internet Interconnection Infrastructure: Materiality, Concealment and Surveillance in Contemporary Communication”
• Donte Newman, “Straddling the Fence: How White Facebook Users Express Ambivalence to Navigate the Context Collapse”
• Emily O’Connell, “Hybrid Systems and Hybrid Genres: Exploring U.S. Political Podcast Framing Tactics and Effects”

How many applicants are admitted each year?

Five people are selected each year to join the program, and there are usually about 20 people in the program at any one time.

Can I attend part-time?

The program is designed to be full-time.

Can I take courses outside of the School of Communication?

The SOC PhD program was designed as an interdisciplinary program. We encourage students to take full advantage of the wealth of resources and opportunities across the university, including taking courses and finding expertise in other departments, as well as courses at our partner universities around Washington, DC. Dissertation committees are required to include at least one member outside of the school.

Can I complete my PhD program in 3 years?

The program is designed to be completed in three years, and more than half of our PhD students accomplish their goal in doing so.

Still have questions? Send us an email: [email protected]

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College of Media & Communication

• Graduate Programs
• Ph.D. in Media & Communication
• Ph.D. Program Application

Ph.D. in Media & Communication Application Process

Here are the steps you need to follow to apply to the Ph.D. Program :

Fill out the graduate school application at https://ttugradschool.force.com/admissions/ApplicationLogin .

• Cover letter stating your interest in applying and outlining your background. This letter can be short.
• Personal Statement (250 words to 500 words) describing why you want to pursue a Ph.D. degree, why you are interested in Texas Tech, and what you would outline as your area of research interests and the faculty members at TTU with whom you share that interest .
• Samples of academic / professional work in communication (if you have any)
• Ask three current or former professors/employers to recommend you to the program. The online system will ask you to enter the email addresses of the recommenders. They will have the opportunity to evaluate you on a set of scales, and they will also be asked to upload a letter of recommendation. The recommenders should not send their letter to the CoMC graduate director; the letters must be uploaded into the system.
• GRE scores are not required of Ph.D. applicants at this time.
• Language proficiency scores are required for some international students. Check online for Language Proficiency Proof on the International Undergraduate Admissions webpage to see if you need to upload scores and what scores are acceptable. 
• Official transcripts from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended.

Please Note!

• You may also be prompted to mail some materials in to the Graduate School. The application portal will provide details.
• We do not require that applicants contact a potential faculty supervisor before applying. Applicants should review graduate faculty profiles on our website and determine their fit with faculty research agendas.
• All full-time Ph.D. students are fully funded. Tuition and fees are covered by funding, and students earn a monthly stipend and scholarships in addition. International students are required to purchase health insurance. 

Ph.D. Program Application Deadline

The official application deadline is January 1 for a fall semester start. We encourage you to submit a completed application by this deadline to receive full consideration for admissions and funding.

Applications received after January 1 will only be considered if funding is still available. If you have missed the deadline and would like to apply, contact the director of the doctoral program Coy Callison, Ph.D. ( 806.834.5344 ) Media & Communication Building, Room 158.

Funding Information

All applicants who apply will be considered for the full funding package. Applicants do not need to submit a separate application for funding.

• All full-time PhD students are fully funded.
• Tuition and fees are covered by funding, and students earn a monthly stipend and scholarships in addition.
• International students are required to purchase health insurance. 

Texas Tech M.A. Students Applying to the Ph.D. Program

Students who are currently enrolled in an M.A. program in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech must apply in order to transfer to the Ph.D. program. The admission standards for the Ph.D. program are more stringent than for the M.A., and not all M.A. students will be admitted to the Ph.D. program. 

Expected Background of Ph.D. Applicants

The CoMC graduate faculty believe that students with a variety of academic backgrounds are well qualified to pursue a Ph.D. in Media & Communication. While the majority of students in the program have a bachelor's or master's degree or both in a media and/or communication area, many students also come from extensive backgrounds in areas such as psychology, marketing, sociology, etc.

We do not require that applicants contact a potential faculty supervisor before applying. Applicants should review graduate faculty profiles on our website and determine their fit with faculty research agendas. 

GRE Score Requirements (WAIVED until further notice) 

All Ph.D. program applicants must submit recent GRE scores (on the new scale of 130-170 per section). While GRE scores are not in and of themselves the most important part of your application, the CoMC graduate faculty does consider GRE scores in evaluating applicants.    Successful applicants generally have a minimum combined score of 300 on the Quantitative Reasoning and the Verbal Reasoning Sections and a minimum of a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing Sections. Applicants with scores below these levels may still be accepted into the program depending on the overall strength of the remainder of the application. Scores above these levels do not guarantee acceptance.  

Most Ph.D. students begin the program in the fall semester of each year. Under special circumstances, an incoming student may be allowed to begin matriculation in the summer. It is very rare for a student to be allowed to begin the program in the spring semester.

For International Applicants

TTU accepts seven different English proficiency tests from which the student can choose. Find important information for international students. 

All international students must submit English proficiency scores UNLESS the students is a citizen of one of these English proficiency-exempt countries . 

Texas Tech mandates that international students purchase mandatory health insurance. The insurance costs roughly $3,000 per year. The College of Media & Communication does not cover this expense. It will be deducted automatically from a funded student's stipend.

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30 Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

These fully funded Ph.D. programs are in fields like business, computer science, education and nursing.

(Getty Images) |

Many Ph.D. programs are fully funded.

Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide waived tuition and fees and an annual stipend. Some also offer health insurance and other benefits. Gaining admittance into these small cohorts can be highly competitive, and the programs can be time-consuming . Here are 30 fully funded Ph.D. programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list – there are others out there.

• Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Chicago

Anthropology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago can receive funding for up to eight years of study, assuming they are in good standing at the university. During that time, they will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus health insurance and a living stipend – which equated to $33,000 for the 2022-2023 school year – and can apply for external fellowships.

Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University (MA)

Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston offers a Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health that aims to provide students with expertise in disease prevention and treatment. This program includes tuition, a stipend and health insurance for five years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. International students receive the same benefits. Current research in the school's laboratories involves diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

(Dominick Reuter) |

• Ph.D. in business at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students enrolled in the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology can study a range of fields like organization studies, accounting and information technology. Those pursuing a Ph.D. will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus a monthly stipend of $4,267, capped at $51,204. They will also receive medical insurance, new laptops at the beginning of their first and fourth years of study and $4,500 over five years for conference travel expenses.

(Tommy Lavergne | Rice University)

Ph.D. in business at Rice University (TX)

At the Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in Texas, students enjoy full financial assistance upon admission to the Ph.D. program. Aiming to prepare students to teach in fields like accounting, finance, organizational behavior and strategic management, the program provides students with a research or teaching assistantship. Students receive a tuition waiver and a $40,000 annual stipend contingent on making satisfactory academic progress and maintaining full-time student status.

Office of Strategic Communication | University of Iowa

• Ph.D. in business at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business offers Ph.D. degrees in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics and marketing. The college says it provides full funding to "virtually all admitted students." This includes tuition and fees, a minimum nine-month stipend of about $20,000 with annual adjustments and comprehensive health insurance covered at 90%. Some departments offer funding for research presentations at major conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research.

Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University (NY)

According to Cornell University 's website, all students admitted to the chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the New York school receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance and a stipend. This funding can come from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship, and full stipends are granted for nine months with the likelihood of additional aid in the summer.

Chris Taggart | Columbia University

Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University (NY)

Students enrolled in Columbia University 's Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at the Teachers College in New York receive fully funded tuition and a $25,000 stipend annually for three years. The stipend also carries into a student's fourth year. These doctoral fellows "may be expected to serve" as graduate teaching or research assistants. Students typically complete the mentor-matched program, which includes a full-year internship, in five to seven years.

Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University (RI)

Brown University 's Ph.D. students in computer science have access to "full financial support while completing the degree," plus the option to take classes at nearby schools without incurring additional costs, according to the school's website. In fact, doctoral students in any program at the Rhode Island university are guaranteed five years of financial support, which includes tuition remission, a stipend, health services fees and a subsidy for health insurance.

Georgetown University |

Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University (DC)

Georgetown University 's Ph.D. program in computer science provides scholarships and assistantships that cover full tuition at the Washington, D.C., school and include a stipend and health insurance for the first five years. Once enrolled in the program, students must complete the Apprenticeship in Teaching Program and ultimately write and defend a full research dissertation in a seminar open to the public.

Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis

Ph.D. students in the computer science or computer engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance. According to the university's website: "As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses and a new, high-end Apple laptop computer. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree." Doctoral students may also qualify for one of three fellowships.

Jeff Miller | UW-Madison

• Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison

Incoming Ph.D. students at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Madison are guaranteed full funding for the duration of the time that they are expected on campus, according to the university's department of counseling psychology website. Doctoral students also receive a benefits package that includes health insurance. Funding may come from financial aid, fellowships, assistantships and/or traineeships.

Emory University |

Ph.D. in economics at Emory University (GA)

Students enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University typically receive full funding, according to the Georgia university's website. The stipend provided to students is $36,376 per year for five years, starting in fall 2023, and the full tuition scholarship is worth $70,200 per year. Funding for admitted students also includes a $4,370 annual subsidy that covers 100% of a student's cost of health insurance. First-year students have no stipend-related work requirements.

• Ph.D. in education at New York University

New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers more than 30 degree programs. Many can be pursued on campus or online. Ph.D. degrees are offered in areas like developmental psychology, educational leadership and childhood education. Full-time NYU Steinhardt Ph.D. students are eligible for a funding package that includes an annual stipend – $32,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year – tuition coverage for required coursework and student health insurance for five years.

L.A. Cicero, Stanford News Service |

Ph.D. in education at Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University's Graduate School of Education allows students numerous fellowship and assistantship opportunities at the California school, along with a "five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance," the program website reads. At the Graduate School of Education, doctoral students can choose from a range of academic areas like curriculum studies and teacher education, and developmental and psychological sciences.

• Ph.D. in education at the University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education provides full funding to Ph.D. students as part of a fellowship and research apprenticeship package. This funding includes a living stipend, health insurance and coverage of tuition and fees for up to four years if the student maintains full-time enrollment. Some students may also qualify for additional summer funding.

• Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Doctoral students in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor can choose from numerous areas of specialization under umbrella categories like aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics. All engineering doctoral students are guaranteed full funding, a monthly living stipend and health insurance. The exact amount can vary, according to the program's website, and funding comes from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

Boston University Photography |

• Ph.D. in English at Boston University

Annually, doctoral students studying English at Boston University receive a stipend plus full tuition, fees and basic health insurance. This funding is guaranteed for at least five years, with two of those years typically free from teaching requirements. Funding can sometimes be extended up to seven years, according to the university's website, but it's not guaranteed. Students may also apply for various prizes, fellowships and short-term research and travel grants.

(Stephanie Diani) |

• Ph.D. in English at the University of California—Los Angeles

Applicants to the Ph.D. in English program at the University of California—Los Angeles are automatically considered for various funding options. A six-year funding package includes "a minimum of two years of full fellowship, four years of summer stipend support and up to four years of teaching assistantships," according to the school website. Beyond tuition, fees and health insurance are also covered.

Jeff Watts |

Ph.D. in international relations at American University (DC)

American University offers doctoral students in its international relations program who do not have external funding a renewable four-year Dean's Fellowship that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. The fellowship includes the cost of tuition, fees and a stipend that must be earned via a part-time role as a teaching or research assistant. Students also must "demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language" before graduating.

Jonathan Cohen | Binghamton University

• Ph.D. in management at Binghamton University—SUNY

All students admitted to the interdisciplinary management Ph.D. program at the Binghamton University—SUNY School of Management in New York receive a combination of a full-tuition scholarship and a teaching or research assistantship for each academic year, up to four years. This STEM-designated business doctoral degree prepares students for careers in academia and work in the public and private sectors, and has a student-faculty ratio of 1-to-1, according to the university's website.

Duke University Communications |

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University (NC)

Doctoral students at Duke University in North Carolina studying materials science and engineering generally receive full tuition, a stipend and fee support for the first five years. Students also receive up to six years of health insurance if they are on the university's student medical insurance plan. The doctoral program aims to help students publish with a faculty adviser and develop research skills, with the opportunity to present research at professional conferences.

Homewood Photography | JHU

Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University (MD)

The School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland provides most doctoral students with three fully funded years of study. Available financial aid includes graduate assistantships, targeted fellowships and nursing-specific funding. The university aims to "advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery" with the degree, its website reads. "By graduation, most Hopkins nurse scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career."

• Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Virginia

All students admitted to the University of Virginia 's Ph.D. in Nursing program are eligible for four years of scholarship funding to cover tuition, insurance and fees, as well as annual stipends. To receive certain aid, students must work 10 hours per week as a graduate teaching assistant. With a heavy research focus, students can expect courses in qualitative, quantitative and historical research, and will have to submit a research proposal for peer review.

Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University (CT)

At Yale University in Connecticut, the School of Nursing offers full funding to its Ph.D. students. They receive a monthly stipend for four years in addition to paid tuition and health care. The program allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in a particular area of study. Every incoming Ph.D. student gets paired with a faculty adviser "whose area of expertise and active research most closely matches with the student’s scholarly interest," according to the school's website.

University of Minnesota |

• Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program to study psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities are guaranteed full funding for five years as long as they maintain satisfactory performance and degree progress. This funding includes full-time tuition, a nine-month stipend and subsidized health insurance. Funding comes from some combination of teaching assistantships, traineeships, research assistantships and fellowships. Students in the program can specialize in areas like cognitive and brain sciences, industrial-organizational psychology and social psychology.

Matt Cashore | University of Notre Dame

Ph.D. within the Romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame (IN)

University of Notre Dame doctoral students who focus on French and Francophone studies, Iberian and Latin American studies or Italian studies are guaranteed five years of funding. Funding includes a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, plus a stipend and health insurance. Anyone who completes the Ph.D. degree requirements at the Indiana university within five years will automatically receive a one-year postdoctoral fellowship via the university's 5+1 Program. Fellows will have a teaching load limited to one course per semester.

Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Students admitted to Bryn Mawr College 's Ph.D. program in social work receive full tuition waivers and "substantial stipends" toward living expenses. The Pennsylvania college's website says: "Consistent with our model, all Ph.D. students are funded equally, and do not compete for basic financial support during coursework." The program's cohorts typically include only three or four students each year. According to the college, it awarded the first Ph.D. degree in social work in the U.S. in 1920.

Vanderbilt University |

Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University (TN)

Funding is guaranteed for all admitted doctoral students enrolled in the special education Ph.D. program at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. This includes full tuition, a "competitive" monthly stipend and health insurance for up to four years. Students may also be nominated for additional honor scholarships and fellowships. Areas of focus within the Ph.D. program include high-incidence disabilities and early childhood education.

Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University (IL)

This interdisciplinary Ph.D. program at Northwestern University in Illinois combines coursework in humanities, social science and the visual arts. The program's students receive a five-year full-tuition scholarship plus an annual living stipend. Ph.D students enrolling at this program in fall 2022 will receive a living stipend of at least $36,960 during the 2023-2024 school year. Stipend amounts may change from year to year. Students can apply for subsidies to facilitate conference travel and summer language study.

(Photo by Sarah L. Voisin | The Washington Post via Getty Images)

• Ph.D. in women, gender and sexuality studies at University of Maryland

At the University of Maryland 's Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ph.D. students without a master's degree usually have five years of guaranteed funding. Those with a master's degree usually are funded four years, with awards stemming from a mix of departmental fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships. Since the program's establishment in 1999, the department has granted 36 Ph.Ds, according to UMD's website.

Learn more about paying for graduate school.

Finding a fully funded program isn't the only option to offset the costs of graduate school. See these seven strategies to pay for graduate school to learn more. Check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings to see the country's top business, medicine and law programs – and more. For additional grad school tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

Ph.D. programs that are fully funded

• Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University
• Ph.D. in business at Rice University
• Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University
• Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University—St. Louis
• Ph.D. in economics at Emory University
• Ph.D. in education at Stanford University
• Ph.D. in international relations at American University
• Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University
• Ph.D. within the romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame
• Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College
• Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University

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Ph.D. Program

Important links.

• Graduate Faculty
• Graduate Admissions  
• Admissions Ambassadors
• Graduate Forms  
• Graduate Student Organizations
• Graduate Placements

The Ph.D. degree is research-oriented and all graduate students engage in independent research projects, including the Ph.D. dissertation.

Currently, most students admitted into the Ph.D. program aspire to academic careers as scholars and teachers, with some pursuing professional careers in government, non-profit organizations or the private sector. The program currently admits only full-time students who are funded by teaching assistantships, administrative assistantships and/or university fellowships. Check out the Admissions Ambassadors page  to learn more about our current graduate students and explore our graduate student placement here .

Graduate Student Handbooks

• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2007)
• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2011)
• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2015)
• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2017)
• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2018)
• Ph.D. Handbook (for students entering 2018, comps policy updated 2023)
• M.A. Handbook
• Special COVID-19 Policy (revised, 10/20)

Statement on Graduate Student Mentoring

• Statement on Graduate Student Mentoring (updated February 2023) .

Good Standing/Satisfactory Progress Towards Degree

M.a. criteria for good standing.

• Maintaining minimum of 3.0 GPA.
• Filing approved plan of study by semester of 6th credit (first semester for full-time students).
• Submitting all work specified within an incomplete contract by the end of the semester following the awarded incomplete unless otherwise specified in the contract.
• Not found responsible for breaching ethical principles of scholarship (e.g., violations of academic integrity and/or intellectual property rights or non-compliance of protocols for protection of human subjects).
• See M.A. Handbook for “Procedures for Good Standing/Satisfactory Progress Review.”

Ph.D. Criteria for Good Standing

For students entering ph.d. program with b.a./b.s. degree.

• Maintaining minimum of 3.0 GPA and B or better (including B-) for courses that are required.
• Filing approved plan of study by semester of 12th credit (second semester for full-time students).
• Finalizing coursework by the end of the 5th semester is encouraged; finalizing coursework by the end of the 6th semester is required.
• Taking the comprehensive examination by the semester following completion of coursework in approved plan of study; passing comprehensive examination by second semester following completion of coursework in approved plan of study.
• Defending a dissertation prospectus by the second semester following completion of the comprehensive examination.
• Passing the dissertation examination within four years following advancement to candidacy and nine years following matriculation.
• No judgment of breaching ethical principles of scholarship (e.g., violations of academic integrity and/or intellectual property rights or non-compliance of protocols for protection of human subjects).
• See Ph.D. Handbook for “Procedures for Good Standing/Satisfactory Progress Review.”

For Students Entering Ph.D. Program with M.A. Degree

• Submitting all work specified within an incomplete contract by the end of the semester following the awarded incomplete unless otherwise specified in the contract. Finalizing coursework by the end of the 3rd semester is encouraged; finalizing coursework by the end of the 5th semester is required.
• See Ph.D. Handbook for “Procedures for Good Standing/Satisfactory Progress Review."

These timelines contain both department and graduate school deadlines. Completing appropriate paperwork by these times is necessary to maintain satisfactory progress and graduate as scheduled.

• Communication Department Form List
• Graduate School Form List  

Ph.D. Degree

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PhD Program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

The PhD program provides training for the next generation of scientists in speech, language, and hearing sciences. You will receive world-class training from leading experts in outstanding research facilities. The program includes several major research-focused milestones that help you craft a professional portfolio to prepare you for teaching and research in academic settings.

Program Highlights

• Faculty engage graduate scholars in a variety of topics covering interdisciplinary research on normative and disordered processes in speech, language, voice, swallowing and hearing.
• As a PhD student, you will be  fully funded  (for the first four years of your degree) through a variety of sources, including individual fellowships (at the university and national level), two NIH training grants, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. Additional years of funding are dependent on successful progress towards degree, and availability of funds. You will receive individually tailored training, and students from our program have an exemplary history of moving into impactful research-oriented and academic careers.
• We are committed to ensuring an encouraging, supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment for our PhD students to thrive as members of the broader academic community.

Research Areas

• Hearing science; hearing disorders
• Language science; language disorders and disabilities
• Speech, swallowing, and voice science; speech, swallowing and voice disorders

Potential Careers

Graduates of our PhD program may have any of the following careers:

• Positions as faculty members at academic institutions/higher education universities .
• Research scientists in medical or research centers and/or industry.
• Positions as directors/leaders in clinical or research centers in academia, healthcare or industry.

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type : Doctoral

Program Length : 4-5 years (for students with a master’s degree or higher) — students can also apply with bachelor’s degree

Location : West Lafayette, IN

Department/School : Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

To learn more about our department’s PhD program and see sample course plans, please read our PhD program handbook .

Get to know our program through virtual information sessions

In the speech, language, and hearing sciences PhD program, you will have opportunities to work with multiple faculty members with compatible research interests — including colleagues from other departments — to investigate disorders related to speech, language, hearing, swallowing and balance.

• Joshua Alexander
• Arielle Borovsky
• Françoise Brosseau-Lapré
• Alexander Francis
• Michael Heinz
• Natalya Kaganovich
• Brandon Keehn
• David Kemmerer
• Ravi Krishnan
• Arianna LaCroix
• Laurence B. Leonard
• Georgia Malandraki
• Allison Schaser
• Maureen Shader
• Preeti Sivasankar
• Elizabeth Strickland
• Ronnie Wilbur

Admissions/Requirements

If you are thinking of applying to the speech, language, and hearing sciences PhD program at Purdue, we strongly recommend you contact prospective advisors/ faculty before starting the application process.

If you are applying only for the PhD program, please submit all materials via the Purdue Online Application system .

Application Materials to be Submitted Online

• Statement of Purpose.
• Curriculum Vita.  This is an optional field in the application system but is recommended by the department.
• Writing sample. (Optional, submit under Supporting Documents)
• List of 3 recommenders. 
• Application fee . ( Application Fee Information )
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended . Please upload copies of your official transcripts to the application system. The Purdue Graduate School will use these documents for admission purposes. International transcripts must be uploaded or submitted in their original form and in translation, along with copies of any diplomas awarded. Any transcripts sent electronically through an approved e-service (e-SCRIP, etc) must be sent to the Graduate School at  [email protected] . This delays the receipt of the transcript to the department, so uploaded copies of official documents or official hard copies are preferred. Please send any paper transcripts to the  SLHS Graduate Program Secretary .
• For those whose first language is not English, we require official test scores less than 2 years old  from one of the following: TOEFL iBT or IELTS.

PLEASE NOTE: GRE scores are no longer being required for the SLHS PhD program.

Guide to Writing a Statement of Purpose

Below are some helpful hints about writing a statement of purpose to accompany your graduate school application.

• The individuals reading your application for the PhD program will want to know how you can contribute to the program. Therefore, the focus should be on how you’ve spent your time as an undergraduate and/or graduate student preparing for your PhD journey.
• Do not include too much personal information. You need to prepare a professional document — something that will convince the admissions committee that you are serious about doing PhD-level work. Anecdotes about how you got interested in the field or how you’ve always wanted to help people or make a difference are not a good idea.
• The document should be well-written, concise and free of typos. A sloppy document will send the wrong kind of message (e.g., it might send a signal to the admissions committee that you’ll be just as sloppy about your graduate work).
• If you can, be specific about how you fit into the program — in other words, tailor it to the school. Talk about the work of specific professors at the university to which you are applying. This provides yet another way to demonstrate your professional maturity.

Applications for International Students

To be eligible for departmental funding as a PhD student, all international applicants must meet the following department standards:

• English proficiency test scores are required of all international applicants whose first language is not English.
• TOEFL iBT: a minimum total score of 100 with minimum individual scores of 28 for speaking, 22 for writing, 22 for listening and 22 for reading.
• IELTS: a minimum score of 7.5 with no single band score lower than 7.0.

International transcripts must be uploaded or submitted in their original form and in translation, along with copies of any diplomas awarded.  Please send any paper transcripts to the SLHS Graduate Secretary .

Interviews for Admission

All prospective PhD applicants will be interviewed prior to admission. The applicants will be contacted by the department for the scheduled interview.

Application Deadlines

• January 1 (fall admission) and August 1 (spring admission)

Program Director

Dr. Beth Strickland is the graduate chair and PhD program director in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). Professor Strickland has been in this role for four years and has been a faculty member in SLHS since 1995. She is also the director of one of our two NIH T32 training grants that support PhD students and postdoctoral scientists. She has a long history of mentoring graduate students and research trainees in the department and is the 2023 recipient of the HHS Outstanding Mentor Award and Provost’s Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentor. Her research is on behavioral measures of hearing, particularly those that may reflect the processing of the peripheral auditory system.

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Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences PhD

The PhD degree offers advanced study for students pursuing a research career in academic, industry, government or other laboratory settings

The PhD program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) offers advanced study and research training for students who will become leading scientists and scholars. Research in the program concerns all aspects of human communication including studies of speech, language, and hearing in individuals with and without communication disorders.

As part of training the next generation of scientists in speech, language, and hearing, the SLHS PhD program offers the opportunity for additional specialization in allied fields (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, systems neuroscience, psychology, and engineering). There are also opportunities for collaborative training at the UTSW Medical Center. State-of-the-art research and clinical facilities are housed in both the urban and suburban Callier Centers for Communication Disorders. The Callier clinics see over 4000 different patients annually and thus afford the opportunity for training in clinical and translational research. PhD students are fully funded for up to 5 years, with training that incorporates research milestones, including opportunities and support for extramural grant proposals. UTD boasts a supportive and inclusive environment for students and faculty, as well as opportunities to conduct research incorporating diverse populations and themes.

Doctoral students in the SLHS program work closely with their research mentors and other faculty throughout the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) to tailor their research experiences and course selections to ensure optimal preparation in their areas of interest. Areas of doctoral study encompass the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects of communication as well as the identification, treatment, and prevention of developmental and acquired communication disorders. SLHS is integrated with the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, with the Callier Clinical Research Center providing a link across research and clinical arms. This relationship affords the implementation of a wide array of clinical and translational research projects. Our close relationship with UT Southwestern Medical Center also allows for close clinical collaboration with medical colleagues.

Areas of programmatic strength include the neurobiology of language, speech, and hearing; assessment methods and diagnostic markers of communication disorders; and innovative treatments and technological supports for people with communication disorders. Within these broad areas, specific research opportunities cover the breadth of the field including basic, clinical, and translational research related to autism, developmental language disorder (DLD), motor speech disorders in children and adults, language learning and poverty, language production and music, brain disease and semantic memory, voice disorders, noise- and drug-induced hearing disorders, tinnitus, hyperacusis and auditory rehabilitation using wireless listening devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Students in the doctoral program benefit from the school’s rich intellectual climate, including weekly lectures and research presentations by students, faculty and visiting scholars. BBS hosts an annual colloquium series presented by internationally known scientists. In addition, the school’s centers and programs offer diverse symposia and workshops that are freely available to doctoral students. All events are posted on the BBS events page . SLHS students routinely attend the Callier Center Friday Seminars in Speech, Language, and Hearing (FLASH), which offers doctoral students the opportunity to gather with faculty, post-doctoral scholars and clinicians to present research at all phases of development and to learn from scientists exploring diverse speech, language, and hearing topics.

The SLHS PhD program is housed within exceptional research facilities at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders , which has locations on both the Richardson campus and in Dallas adjacent to the UT Southwestern Medical School campus. Both Callier Center locations house state-of-the-art laboratories for behavioral, kinematic, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies of speech, language, and hearing in typical and clinical populations of all ages. The Callier Clinical Research Center provides additional core research space and equipment that is available to be reserved for faculty and student research projects.

Each year, the Callier Center serves more than four thousand patients with speech, language or hearing disorders, and Callier-Dallas is home to a nationally accredited child development program for infants and preschoolers. Via an active Research Participant Registry, scientists are provided access to participants within the normal range of function and participants diagnosed with speech, language, hearing, or other disorders affecting communication ability.

Through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics, as well as collaborative arrangements with the UT Southwestern Medical Center, SLHS doctoral students have additional access to laboratories equipped for studies of the neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and neurochemical bases of hearing and access to additional participant populations.

Degree Requirements

Program completion typically takes four to five years.

All PhD students are required to complete a minimum of 75 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students in the SLHS PhD program complete a proseminar with other BBS PhD students, research design and analysis coursework, and doctoral seminars that provide comprehensive exposure to methods and questions within speech, language, and hearing areas. In addition, SLHS students complete doctoral seminars in speech, language, and hearing as well as neuroscience, psychology, or child development courses where additional methodological or theoretical training is relevant. The SLHS curriculum helps students not only obtain deep knowledge within their dissertation area but also broadly prepare for multi-disciplinary research and collaboration through exposure to the breadth of the profession.

During the first two years of the program, each student works closely with the faculty mentor in designing and completing an empirical research project and preparing a manuscript for peer review. In the third year, students advance to PhD candidacy by successfully defending a proposal for their dissertation, an independent and original research project conducted under faculty supervision. Students also complete a grant writing course and prepare a research grant during the third year. Successful public defense of the completed dissertation during year 4 or 5 is the final step in attaining the doctoral degree.

The UT Dallas graduate catalog provides information on degree requirements for the PhD program in SLHS and the PhD student guide provides additional detailed information. For questions about degree requirements, please contact [email protected] . The university’s course look-up site, CourseBook , describes some of the program’s specific courses. The Office of Graduate Studies provides information on academic and other policies .

The PhD in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is a research degree. It is essential that there is a close match between a student’s research interests and the faculty’s expertise. Prospective students should contact faculty with whom they might share research interests. The SLHS admissions committee evaluates applications based on the personal statement, letters of recommendation, prior research and professional experiences, prior GPA, GRE scores, commitment to scholarship, and the availability of faculty mentoring in the stated area of interest.

Completion of an undergraduate degree in a related major is often helpful but is not required. Completion of a clinical degree (e.g., master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Audiology) is not required. Students who are currently enrolled in UTD AuD or SLP MS programs should consult with both their AuD or SLP program head and the PhD program head regarding application to the PhD program after completion of clinical experiences.

Students who enter the PhD program and later decide they wish to pursue clinical education will need to consult the AuD or SLP program head regarding the admissions process; the clinical education programs are highly competitive. PhD students may need to take a leave of absence from the PhD program during clinical foundation years and full-time clinical assignments (e.g., the CFY).

The Application Deadline is December 1

Please see the graduate admission page of the UT Dallas Office of Admission and Enrollment for details on how to submit an application to the PhD program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences .

Completed applications must be received on or before  December 1  for admission the following fall. SLHS does not have spring or summer admissions.

Applications to the PhD program must include official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference from people qualified to evaluate your potential for successful doctoral study, and a statement of purpose detailing your previous research and professional experiences, your current research interests and your career goals. Applicants who wish to be considered for the BBS Scholars Award are required to submit an additional essay.

International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE meeting university minimum requirements . See the list of countries that are exempt from this requirement.

You can check the status of your application using the University’s Orion program .

Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

Financial Aid

Financial support of full-time doctoral students enrolled in the SLHS PhD program is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial aid. In addition to the salary and tuition and fee scholarship, UT Dallas will provide the cost of health coverage purchased through the university student health insurance program.

Other information on financial aid for graduate students is available on the UT Dallas graduate admissions page.

Funding & Awards

SLHS students complete a grant writing course and write a grant as part of their PhD program. SLHS students have been successful in obtaining external funding.

SLHS students routinely present their research at conferences and many SLHS students have received awards in recognition of their meritorious research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in speech, language, and hearing sciences is awarded through teaching or research assistantships which include a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial aid for PhD students.

The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the  top 30 in the nation for ethnic diversity . Total enrollment at UT Dallas is approximately 30,000, with more than 8,000 graduate students. UT Dallas’ main campus is in Richardson, Texas, about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas; some of the centers affiliated with UT Dallas are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical School. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant communities, with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with excellent symphony, opera, and art museums, five professional sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Some doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson; other classes may be held in Dallas, at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Center for Brain Health, or the Center for Vital Longevity. Your duties as a teaching assistant or research assistant may take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas, and locations of classes and duties may change over semesters.

Many students choose to live in areas between Richardson and Dallas for easy access to both Richardson and Dallas facilities. Public transportation is available, but most students find a car to be extremely helpful.

Student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, including apartments that are available to both undergraduate and graduate students and limited family housing for students with spouses and children. You can use online search engines to find housing options that fit your price range and target location. The program office can also provide information and recommendations from current doctoral students.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors before applying. The fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty – and the willingness and ability of the proposed mentor or mentoring team to accept new PhD student supervision responsibilities – is very important for the success of the applicant within any graduate program. In addition, the admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including prior GPA and GRE scores, letters of recommendation and personal statements.

Completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee in December, and interviews are scheduled in January and/or February. Interviews may be scheduled via a video conferencing platform. Admissions decisions are made based on application materials, interviews, input from potential mentors, and availability of funding. Students offered admission to UTD are invited to visit UT Dallas to meet with prospective faculty mentors and to tour the facilities. Remote open house events are also used as needed to provide information to applicants. 

Yes. We strongly encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission. 

Admissions decisions are made mid- to late February.

Around 25 to 30 students are typically enrolled in the speech, language, and hearing sciences PhD program at any one time. The program includes three tracks (speech science, language science and hearing science) and the number of students admitted into each track varies as a function of student interests, mentor availability and funding for student support.

Although many students have a background in speech, language, and hearing sciences, the program welcomes students from a variety of related fields including psychology, linguistics, biology, and engineering. Some students enter directly from their undergraduate program, while others join following completion of a masters degree or clinical doctorate, or after several years of professional experience.

Our graduates are prepared to advance the field within diverse work settings. Over the last seven years, SLHS graduates have gone on to post-doctoral, tenure-track, or clinical or research faculty positions at universities, hospitals and industry settings. 

Our Speech, Language, and Hearing Science PhD program is physically housed in the renowned Callier Center for Communication Disorders, which has locations in Richardson and Dallas. The Callier Center houses state-of the-art research space in addition to its comprehensive patient care facilities and classroom and conference spaces. Together, our doctoral program offers rich opportunities for collaboration with clinicians committed to evidence-based patient care and a large cohort of clinician scientists interested in normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing. In addition to dedicated laboratories managed by principal investigators with diverse interests, PhD students have access to fully equipped Research Core facilities and receive training with diverse technologies housed in the Callier Clinical Research Center (CCRC). Recruitment of participants is facilitated by the CCRC research registry, which automatically registers all Callier patients for recruitment into relevant research studies (with an opt-out option for patients who do not wish to be contacted).

Faculty associated with the Speech, Language, and Hearing Science PhD program are outstanding mentors who help students develop individualized educational programs consistent with their overall interests and goals. Faculty mentor student publications and student grants as part of the PhD program milestone plan.

The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences is unique in its multi-disciplinary integration of Neuroscience, Psychology, Child Development, and Speech, Language, and Hearing. This combination facilitates unique expertise, such as in the neurobiology of speech, language, and hearing and the psychosocial impact of communication disorders, and lifespan brain and behavioral development. Students enrolled in the PhD program in speech, language, and hearing sciences routinely complete doctoral coursework associated with the graduate programs in cognition and neuroscience and psychology and often have mentors from these programs who contribute to breadth of experience. Students can study communication disorders using the techniques and instrumentation of cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychology, and work with bioengineers in the development of assistive technology.

The SLP master’s degree and AuD programs provide clinical training for certification and licensure in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. The PhD program provides research immersion for students who are interested in academic and other research careers in speech, language, and hearing sciences. The PhD degree at UT Dallas is not an advanced clinical degree.

Students who are enrolled in MS or AuD clinical education programs often become interested in academic or research careers as they learn the current boundaries of clinical knowledge. Students enrolled in clinical degree programs are eligible to apply for admission to the PhD program after completion of core clinical coursework and should contact the PhD program head for additional information. Applicants who have completed clinical education prior to PhD program admission are encouraged to apply.

Program Contacts

Program head.

Edward Lobarinas, PhD [email protected]

Program Mailing Address

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

PhD Student Guide

The PhD student guide provides information on policies and procedures in the PhD programs in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

PhD Student Forms and Information

Degree Plan Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Registration and Related Forms Graduate Change of Program Register, Add, Drop, Withdraw Repeated Course Grade Adjustment Transfer of Credit Request

Milestones and Annual Reporting Forms Milestones Agreement Form Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Annual Report Doctoral Student Feedback Form Request for Extension Year 1 Prospectus Year 1 Proposal Year 2 Project Manuscript Proposal Grant Application Public Presentation of Research Project

Dissertation Committee Appointment Form Dissertation Proposal Meeting Public Presentation of Dissertation Proposal Request for Final Oral Exam In Absentia Registration Memo – Absent Committee Member Memo – Committee Member Attending Remotely Checklist for Final Submission of Doctoral Dissertation UTDPP1052

Teaching and Research Assistantship Forms and FAQs UTDPP1075

Requests for Student Travel and Dissertation Support Student Request for Travel Support PhD Research Small Grants Program Application

Program Resources

Please visit the Office of Graduate Studies for additional information on academic policies , PhD deadlines , PhD forms , guidelines for preparing dissertations , and a profile of characteristics of doctoral programs at UT Dallas.

Academic Calendar Academic Catalogs Campus Map Career Center CourseBook Community Health

Connect With Us

Mailing Address

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences GR41 | 800 W Campbell Road | Richardson, TX 75080-3021

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="phd communication fully funded"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Communication ph.d. (ithaca), field of study.

Communication

Program Description

The Cornell University Ph.D. in Communication is designed to assist students in proposing, testing, and refining communication theories; in practicing skilled research; and in becoming knowledgeable about communication. It is the number two communication Ph.D. program in the country. The Ph.D. degree is a research degree. Cornell's doctoral program is designed to be a small, high quality program that will encourage students' interests in academic work as well as prepare them for nonacademic job opportunities.  Doctoral students focus on developing communication theory based on empirical social science research.  Program graduates will be able to compete successfully for teaching and research positions at colleges and universities, work at consulting firms, or conduct research and contribute to policy in government and private organizations.

Contact Information

452 Mann Library Cornell University Ithaca, NY  14853

Concentrations by Subject

• communication
• human-computer interaction
• language and communication
• media communication and society
• organizational communication
• science, environment and health communication
• social psychology communication

Visit the Graduate School's Tuition Rates page.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Fall, Dec. 1; no spring admission

Note: The application deadline is December 1, by which all application materials must be submitted (including test scores). Letters of recommendation are due by December 15.

Requirements Summary:

Applicants are expected to have some competence in at least one area of communication or be willing to spend time beyond the normal degree requirements to gain competence. Persons with experience in communication are encouraged to apply; evidence of superior performance in the professional field will be considered in combination with academic records. 

• all Graduate School Requirements , including the  English Language Proficiency Requirement for all applicants
• only online submission of application materials; no hardcopy materials will be accepted
• academic statement of purpose
• personal statement
• transcripts
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• further application information available

Learning Outcomes

Make an original and substantial contribution to the field

• Advance communication theory

Think originally and independently

• Identify new research opportunities within the field

Demonstrate advanced research skills

• Critically evaluate one’s own findings and those of others  
• Synthesizing existing knowledge 
• Identifying and accessing appropriate resources

Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship

• Keeping abreast of advances within one’s field and related areas
• Showing commitment to professional development via professional societies, publication, and knowledge transfer
• Supporting learning via teaching, mentoring, and demonstration 

Demonstrate professional skills by adhering to ethical standards in the discipline, and by listening to, giving and receiving feedback effectively

Narrow Your Search

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Journalism and communication menu, journalism and communication, graduate funding.

A graduate degree is one of the most important investments you can make. Although tuition varies for each of our six graduate programs, financial aid is available for qualified students. Our programs are all eligible for the G.I. Bill and some other federal financial aid programs.

Cost of attendance is the estimated cost to attend the UO for the academic year. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for cost of attendance information that goes beyond tuition and fees, and includes: living expenses (housing and food), books/supplies/equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Graduate Cost of Attendance

Graduate Costs Calculator

UO Scholarships for Graduate Students

SOJC Scholarships for Graduate Students

Fully Funded PhD

If you’re admitted to our Communication and Media Studies Doctoral program , the SOJC provides four years of graduate employment funding that covers your entire tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to offset the costs of living.

Monthly Stipend

16 Hours/Week

Teaching and/or Research Work

Typical Student Fees

Graduate Employment in Eugene

Applicants for admission to the Communication and Media Studies PhD and master’s programs are automatically considered for graduate employee (GE) funding. PhD students receive up to four years of consecutive GE funding, and master’s students receive a maximum of two years of funding. GE appointments come with a tuition waiver, partial student fee waiver, monthly stipend, and health insurance plan. GE positions usually are not available for our professional master’s students except under unusual circumstances.

Browse GE Opportunities

Explore UO Funding Options

Travel and Research Awards

The SOJC awards some graduate research and travel funding for thesis/dissertation-related travel, travel to conferences to present papers, and other research-related expenses. The Graduate Affairs Committee decides how to allocate these limited funds based on the type of presentation, type of organization or meeting, seniority of the student, and number of requests. If you wish to apply for funds, submit the Travel and Research Fund Request Forms  before your travel or research begins.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

The SOJC offers the scholarships below to graduate students who qualify:

The Anderson Family Graduate Fellowship Fund

This fund provides fellowship awards to one or more graduate students in the SOJC. The awards may be used to assist students with all expenses related to attending the university, such as tuition, fees, books, room and board stipends, travel, research, miscellaneous materials, and supplies.

Criteria: Preference is given to students specializing in the study of the professional ethics of journalism.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV, a one-page statement explaining how your work addresses journalism ethics, and the names of two to three faculty members who can speak about your suitability for this award.

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Lorry I. Lokey Journalism Scholarship

The Lokey Scholarship was established in 2007 through the generosity of Oregonian Lorry I. Lokey, founder of Business Wire, an international media relations company. Lokey is a 1949 Stanford University graduate and a University of Oregon Foundation trustee. The scholarship program provides awards of up to $10,000 to the Lorry I. Lokey Journalism Scholars Program—a program to raise the national and international profile of the SOJC, attract the best and brightest young minds to the UO, and be a catalyst for developing outstanding future leaders for the journalism and communication industry. A portion of the fund can be used to promote and administer the Lokey Journalism Scholars Program to help ensure it has the highest level of impact for both the scholars and the University of Oregon.

Criteria: Graduate student Lokey scholars are selected in recognition of their outstanding scholarly achievements and to provide added support during the dissertation year. Up to two recipients are selected primarily based on their scholarly record and demonstrated potential for research, as indicated by their work in classes, conference presentation, and publication. Only Ph.D. students who have approved dissertation proposals and have advanced to candidacy are eligible for consideration. Teaching and service in the SOJC are additionally weighed, though the primary criterion is research, both accomplishments and potential. Selection of the scholar(s) is made by the Graduate Affairs Committee, which may choose not to award in a given year, depending on student eligibility, strength of research, other considerations and contributions, and funds available.

How to apply: Submit the following via the online Lokey Scholarship application :

• Confirmation from your advisor that you have (or will have) passed comps, held a proposal meeting, and will advance to candidacy by the end of the spring term
• Current curriculum vitae
• Short (1- to 2-page) research statement outlining your interests, accomplishments, and goals
• Short (150-word) abstract of your dissertation proposal, including full working title and names of committee members
• Single-authored writing sample (30 pages or less), which can be a paper from a class, a conference paper, or a publication

The Charles and Eiko Politz Fund for a Graduate Scholarship in Journalistic Writing

This scholarship provides scholarship support for up to two graduate students pursuing studies in journalistic writing.

Criteria: The recipient(s) of this scholarship must be graduate students in the SOJC who are pursuing studies in journalistic writing.

How to apply: Submit the following via the online application :

• Current resumé or curriculum vitae
• Short piece (500–750 words) on current news
• Feature story (750–2,500 words), such as a human-interest, profile, seasonal-theme, or behind-the-scenes article

Civic and Watchdog Journalism Scholarship

The Civic and Watchdog Journalism Scholarship provides support to SOJC graduate students whose work has demonstrated a commitment to, and outstanding achievement in, civic and watchdog journalism.

Criteria: Special consideration is given to applicants whose work demonstrates the importance of explaining the complexities of issues, challenging conventional wisdom, holding institutions and leaders accountable, and listening to the voices of those often ignored in the community. The student’s work should show a commitment to protecting civic values such as fairness, justice, equal access, public and health safety, and the public treasury.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV, a writing sample, and a one-page statement explaining how your work is concerned with civic and watchdog journalism.

Emerging Leader Award—Multimedia Journalism Master's

The Emerging Leader Award provides scholarship support in varying values from $1,000 to $2,000 for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in multimedia journalism at the UO.

Criteria: In addition to writing a high-quality response to the essay prompt below, ideal candidates will have a compelling portfolio that demonstrates communication and storytelling acuity. If they are existing students, additional consideration will be given if they are engaged in their coursework, meaningfully contribute to class discussions, and demonstrate leadership skills.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a 500- to 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: How would you use the multimedia skills learned in our program to make a difference, and how would this scholarship help you reach your goals?

Emerging Leader Award—Strategic Communication Master's

The Emerging Leader Award provides scholarship support in varying values from $1,000 to $2,000 for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication at the UO.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a 500-1,000 word essay responding to the following prompt: In an era of unprecedented disruption in the way individuals and organizations communicate, what issues would you like to better understand and as a result become a leader in the field? What experiences would you bring to our program that guide you in that journey and how would this scholarship help you reach your goals?

Warren C. Price Memorial Fund

The Warren C. Price Memorial Fund was established in 1967 in honor of this “one-of-a-kind” SOJC professor. During his time at the SOJC, Price was the editor of Journalism Quarterly and twice served as acting dean of the school.

Criteria: UO student who has demonstrated excellence in writing in the field of journalistic history.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV and a writing sample that demonstrates excellence in the writing of journalistic history.

Franco Reis Graduate International Scholarship

The Franco Reis Graduate International Scholarship provides support up to $2,375 for international graduate students enrolled at the SOJC at the University of Oregon. The scholarship(s) may be used to assist students with all standard educational expenses including tuition, fees, books, miscellaneous supplies, room, board, stipends, and research costs.

Criteria: International graduate students enrolled in the SOJC who have demonstrated academic merit, as determined by the scholarship committee.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a statement of 500 words explaining how this award would support your graduate studies.

The Rafi And Zoreh Scholarship

Created by Hassan Rafi-Zadeh (MA ’69) and Zohreh Sotoodeh in 2019, this scholarship supports SOJC graduate and undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, especially international students.

Criteria: Demonstrated financial need, preference given to international students

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV or resume and a statement of up to 500 words explaining your financial need and detailing how this scholarship would support your graduate studies.

Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship

The purpose of the Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship is to provide financial incentives for master’s or PhD students to attend and or complete a SOJC graduate program.

Criteria: Preference given to students whose work is in journalism and news media.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current resume/CV and a 500-1,000 word essay responding to the following prompt: How would you use the Graduate Student Enhancement Scholarship to attend or complete your graduate program, and how does your work involve journalism and/or news media?

Glenn Starlin Endowed Fellowship in Telecommunication and Theatre Arts

The Starlin Fellowship is a $1,000 award given to a “worthy student engaged in graduate study toward a master’s or doctoral degree in telecommunication issues and related research in the School of Journalism and Communication.”

Criteria: Only currently enrolled students are eligible to apply for this award. Strong consideration is given to scholarship and career potential, with a desire to also support dissertation research when possible.

How to apply: Use the online application form to submit a current CV or resume, a one-page statement explaining how your work is concerned with telecommunication issues and related research, and the names of 2 to 3 faculty members who could speak to your suitability for this award.

If you have questions about your eligibility or the application process for scholarships or other graduate funding, contact Amy Boutell , our director of graduate affairs and student experience.

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• Published: 26 April 2024

A guide to science communication training for doctoral students

• Christina Maher 1   na1 ,
• Trevonn Gyles   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4635-5985 1   na1 ,
• Eric J. Nestler   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7905-2000 1 , 2 &
• Daniela Schiller   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0357-7724 1 , 2  

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Effective science communication is necessary for engaging the public in scientific discourse and ensuring equitable access to knowledge. Training doctoral students in science communication will instill principles of accessibility, accountability, and adaptability in the next generation of scientific leaders, who are poised to expand science’s reach, generate public support for research funding, and counter misinformation. To this aim, we provide a guide for implementing formal science communication training for doctoral students.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank P. Croxson for her involvement as co-founder of the effective science communication course. We also thank the various teaching assistants over the years, who were actively involved in shaping the course: T. Fehr, C. Lardner, C. Guevara and M. O’Brien.

Author information

These authors contributed equally: Christina Maher, Trevonn Gyles.

Authors and Affiliations

Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

Christina Maher, Trevonn Gyles, Eric J. Nestler & Daniela Schiller

Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

Eric J. Nestler & Daniela Schiller

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Correspondence to Daniela Schiller .

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Maher, C., Gyles, T., Nestler, E.J. et al. A guide to science communication training for doctoral students. Nat Neurosci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01646-y

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Published : 26 April 2024

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-024-01646-y

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