We have one goal at the College’s doctoral program: produce world-class researchers and scholars who teach, work as professionals and drive greatness in communication through discovery of new knowledge. Everything we do ladders up to this mission.

Our doctoral program prepares students for excellence in research, teaching, consulting, and contributions to academic, government and private organizations. This takes hands-on experience with both teaching and research. The results? Students in our program have consistently been among the nation’s best in winning top-paper awards at scholarly conferences across the nation.

If accepted to our Ph.D. program, the College will fund a full four years, ranging from $27,000 – $35,000. Other benefits of our program include:

• Excellent research and presentation opportunities (see our Research and Insights section for more on faculty and Ph.D. student research).

• Strong interdisciplinary opportunities, within the College, across campus and with other institutions.

• Grant application training from the College’s director of research administration.

Our program features 39 renowned doctoral faculty in several areas of research focus, including:

• AI and Emerging Technology
• Cultural and Social Change
• Health Communication
• Journalism
• Law, Policy, and History
• Media Industry and Consumers
• Media Psychology
• Political Communication
• Science Communication
• Social Media
• Sports Communication
• Strategic Communication

Grounded in true collaboration between faculty and students, academic professionals leave our program among the most well-regarded, well-rounded, and well-prepared in the nation. This is evident in our record of placement in top academic, research and professional positions. (Click here for a list of recent doctoral students and current places of employment.)