Our students complete 57 credit hours of doctoral work, including 45 credit hours of coursework and 12 dissertation credit hours.

The program is divided into four parts, which include:

1. 15 credit hours of core courses:

• Communication Research Design (both quantitative and qualitative)
• Seminar in Mass Communication Theory and Theory Construction
• Seminar in Teaching Mass Communication
• Advanced Communication Research (quantitative)
• Communication Research: Critical, Cultural & Naturalistic Approaches (qualitative)

2. 21 credit hours of mass communications electives

3. Nine credit hours of electives from another field of study

4. 12 credit hours for exam and dissertation

Students will take written and oral exams to demonstrate a mastery of their field. The written exam covers questions addressing methodology, theory, and inside and outside areas of study. The oral exam explores the subjects covered in the written exam.

The dissertation is a substantial research project conducted over the course of enrollment.