Communication, PhD
At a glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Second language requirement: No
You could be conducting innovative and socially embedded research on local, national and global issues, research that contributes to a more peaceful and prosperous future. Enjoy a supportive and engaging environment of interdisciplinary training, research and teaching opportunities, all guided by award-winning faculty.
Program description
Degree awarded: PhD Communication
The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in communication.
Coursework spans humanistic and social scientific approaches to communication and topics related to global media, culture, and performance studies; health and strategic communication; and organizational and interpersonal communication in contemporary contexts. Students take core courses in theory and research methodology and then customize their studies through coursework aligned with their interests, including relevant courses in related disciplines. Most students also participate in the school’s collaborative research initiatives.
The PhD program prepares students to pursue research-oriented careers in universities and public or private sectors.
Career opportunities
A doctoral degree in communication opens doors to careers in research, teaching, training and consulting. Graduates work at research universities, four-year teaching institutions and community colleges, as well as government agencies and for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Roles our graduates have held
- Professor
- Researcher
- Academic administrator
- Academic advisor
- Program director
- Consultant
- Policy advocate
- Campaign manager
Degree requirements
96 credit hours, including a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation.
6
Core credit hours
COM 604 Theory Construction in Communication, plus one methods course in rhetorical, quantitative or qualitative research (COM 607, 608 or 609).
18*
Elective credit hours
Shape your focus. At least six hours must be outside the communication field and at least three in methods training.
24
Seminar credit hours
COM 691 Seminar. Select from varied topics each semester to customize your plan of study.
6
Research credit hours
COM 792 Research. Work closely with one of our graduate faculty to design and execute a doctoral seminar. Receive practical career support and pre-professional training through goal-setting and workshops.
12
Dissertation credit hours
COM 799 Dissertation, completed after your comprehensive exams and prospectus.
*A total of 48 elective credits are required, but with approval from your supervisory committee and the Graduate College, up to 30 blanket credit hours count toward the PhD from a previously awarded master’s degree, leaving 18 credits to take at ASU. In total, 96 credits are required, but with the blanket 30 hours, the PhD consists of 66 credit hours beyond the master’s.
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What you’ll need
- Graduate admission application and fee
- Official transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Writing sample
- Proof of English proficiency
Eligibility
Degree: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Most students enter with a research-based Master of Arts and a completed master’s thesis.
GPA: A minimum 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in the last 60 hours of your first bachelor’s degree, or in an applicable master’s degree.
English proficiency: Required for applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of current residency. International students with teaching assistant appointments must also pass the SPEAK test with a score of 55 or higher, offered on the Tempe campus by Global Launch.
Next steps
Graduate Faculty
Affiliated Faculty
Brendan Oconnor