Coursework requirements have been organized into five separate areas. The first is the Core Theory Courses, followed by Core Methods/Stats classes, Electives in Primary Area, Electives in Secondary Area, as well as Dissertation and Research.
All students will take one (1) Core Communication Theory course (COM 700). Students will take an additional two (2) Core Theory courses (6 credit hours). These two courses will be representative of the student’s primary and secondary areas of emphasis.
Students will declare a primary area of emphasis no later than the beginning of the second semester of their program. Similarly, students will declare a secondary area of emphasis no later than the beginning of their third full semester in the program (summer and interterm semesters do not count as full semesters).
Students will take a minimum of four (4) Research Methods/Statistics courses (12 credit hours). All students will take Introduction to Research Methods (HCOM595), Quantitative Research Methods (COM695), and Qualitative Research Methods (COM696). Students must then choose one additional research methods course based upon their research interests and discussion with their Dissertation Advisor.
Area 1. Core Theory Courses (Area Credits = 9; Total credits = 9)
- One Core Theory Course: 3 credits
- Communication Theory (COM 700)
- One Core Theory Course in the Primary Area of Emphasis. 3 credits
- Theories of Health Communication (HCOM 580)
- Theories of Interpersonal Communication (HCOM 570)
- Mass Communication Theory (COM 571)
- Organizational Communication (COM 572)
- One Core Theory Course in a Secondary Area of Emphasis. 3 credits
Area 2. Research Methods & Statistics (Area Credits = 12; Total credits = 21)
- Qualitative Research Methods (COM 696)
- Quantitative Research Methods (COM 695)
- Advanced Quantitative Methods (COM 795)
- Multivariate Research Methods (COM 797) OR Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (COM 796)
Area 3. Electives in Primary Area (Area Credits = 12; Total credits = 30)
Courses listed for Area 1 requirements can be double counted to fulfill Area 2 requirements but can only be counted once toward the 36 credit hour requirement.
With approval of the Ph.D. Director, up to 6 credit hours of coursework from the student’s master’s degree can be applied toward fulfillment of the Ph.D. in Communication.
Area 4. Electives in Secondary Area (Area Credits = 9; Total credits = 36)
Courses listed for Area 1 requirements can be double counted to fulfill Area 4 requirements but can only be counted once toward the 36 credit requirement.
With approval of the Ph.D. Director, up to 6 credit hours of coursework from the student’s master’s degree can be applied toward fulfillment of the Ph.D. in Communication.
Area 5. Dissertation Proposal and Research (Area Credits = 18; Total credits = 54)