» Ph.D. in Communication

If you’re driven to pursue research and to empower the next generation of impactful communicators, Chapman University’s Ph.D. in Communication program will prepare you to lead. Here, you’ll develop your own research identity as you explore options aided by a supportive community built on mentorship and collaboration. You’ll gain extensive knowledge of communication processes grounded in both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research and teaching.

The Chapman Ph.D. program offers three principal areas of emphasis:

Interpersonal Communication
Health Communication
Media and Communication Technology

If you choose to focus on other sub-disciplines in Communication, faculty mentors are eager to help guide your specialty research pursuits, including in:

Family Communication
Instructional Communication
Intercultural Communication

Noel H. McGuire (Ph.D. candidate ’24)

“One of the reasons I chose to do my Ph.D. at Chapman was because of the faculty. All of the graduate faculty here are incredible researchers AND are incredible people. They are so kind and supportive in every aspect of the graduate experience. Whether it be academics or personal stress, they are always there for you and that is not something yo...

Sarah Downey (Ph.D. candidate ‘25)

“One of the opportunities that stood out to me about Chapman’s Ph.D. program was the grant writing opportunity! Grant writing is often not a part of the Ph.D. curriculum, so I love that I’ll have the opportunity to write my own grant by the end of my time here. I also appreciate the small class sizes and mentorship that faculty provide students!...

Arielle Leonard (Ph.D. candidate ’24)

“ I am so thankful to be a part of a community that values supportiveness and academic rigor equally. It is a privilege to work and learn alongside Chapman SoC faculty and students – you all inspire me to be a better Ph.D. student, instructor, and human being!”

Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22)

“In earning my Ph.D. in Communication from Chapman University, I graduated with an understanding of and enthusiasm for applied research and evidence-based practice. My experiences as a Ph.D. student gave me a foundation of knowledge that I continue to build to identify communication-related problems and ways in which theory-driven research can h...

Sampling of Faculty-Student Research

Digital Flourishing: Conceptualizing and Assessing Positive Perceptions of Mediated Social Interactions by Dr. Sophie H. Janicke-Bowles, Tess M. Buckley (Ph.D. ’22), Rikishi Rey (Ph.D. ’22), Tayah Wozniak (Ph.D. ’22), Adrian Meier & Anna Lomanowska
Understanding First Responders’ Perspectives of Mental Health Communication within Their Departments by Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22) and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day
“Like Being Deployed to War”: Stress and Resilience in Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22), Tess Buckley (Ph.D. ’22), and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day
The impact of HPV vaccine narratives on social media: Testing Narrative Engagement Theory with a diverse sample of young adults by Leader, A., Dr. Michelle Miller-Day, Rikishi Rey (Ph.D. ’22), Selvan, P., Pezalla, A., & Hecht, M.L
“This isn’t just busy, this is scary”: Stress, Social Support, and Coping Experiences of Frontline Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic by Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22), Tess Buckley (Ph.D. ’22), and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day
Men’s stories: an account of translating vaccine decision narratives from young men in the US into a targeted public health intervention by Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22) and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day
Ambiguous loss, stress, communal coping, and resilience: A mixed-methods study of K-12 teachers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic by Erin Craw (Ph.D. ’22) and Dr. Jennifer Bevan
Extending Psychological Reactance Theory to Include Denial of Threat and Media Sharing Intentions as Freedom Restoration Behavior by Noel H. McGuire (Ph.D. Candidate ’24) & Dr. Hannah Ball
Shot Talk: Development and Pilot Test of a Theory of Planned Behavior Campaign to Combat College Student COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy by Dr. Hannah Ball, Tayah Wozniak (Ph.D. '22), & Cailin M. Kuchenbecker (Ph.D. Candidate ’24)

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Full-time students coming into the program with a Master’s degree will need to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework and are expected to graduate within three years. Additionally, students will register for up to 18 hours of research during their third year in the program. Thus, students entering with a Master’s degree, or the equivalent, must complete a minimum of 54 total credit hours.

Students admitted without a master’s degree will need to complete the Health and Strategic Communication master’s degree as an integral part of the Communication Ph.D. program, in addition to the doctoral work. Thus, students entering without a Master’s degree, or the equivalent, must complete a minimum of 66 credit hours of coursework in addition to 18 credit hours of research.

Our Ph.D. program has 3 Areas of Emphasis (AoE). These AoE’s mirror the specialties of the current faculty: Interpersonal Communication, Health Communication, and Media and Communication Technology.

Interpersonal Communication: Involves the study of both the processes and effects of social interaction. Communication in personal and family relationships are two important contexts in which interpersonal theories are applied.
Health Communication: Health communication is a multidisciplinary field of study and practice that applies communication evidence, strategy, theory, and creativity to promote behaviors, policies, and practices that advance the health and well-being of people and populations.
Media and Communication Technology: Deals with the content, history and effects of various media, including mass media, and new communication technologies (i.e., social media, digital media)

Semester 1

Student Enters the Program

Semester 2

Formal Advisor Chosen

Semester 3

Complete Committee

Summer Semester Y2

Completes Comps or Preliminary Papers

Semester 4

Complete Coursework

Semester 5

Prospectus Defense
Dissertation credits

Semester 6

Dissertation

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
- Courses listed above

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)

Application Requirements

A bachelor's degree and/or master's degree from accredited institutions. Official transcripts must be submitted from all degree-granting (bachelor's and master's degrees) colleges and universities attended.*
3.000 is the minimum recommended undergraduate and graduate cumulative grade point averages.
Two letters of recommendation are required, including one from an academic source (i.e., graduate-level professor) who can describe academic and professional abilities.
2-4 page personal statement addressing interest in the Ph.D. in Communication at Chapman University, research and career goals.
Writing sample from previous academic coursework or paper submitted to academic conference or publication (10-12 page minimum requirement).
Current curriculum vitae showing relevant education, research, publications, grants, coursework, teaching experience, work experience.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required and must be current. The minimum suggested scores are:
- Verbal: 152
- Quantitative: 146
- Analytical Writing: 4.0
Interview with Graduate Director or Graduate Coordinator

* If a student is admitted without an approved M.A./M.S. degree in Communication or related field, students will need to complete the M.S. degree program first, prior to beginning their doctoral work.

Application Deadlines

Early decision applications are due January 15th. Applications received after January 15th will be considered on a space available basis. All other applications must be submitted by March 15th. Because the number of students is limited, meeting the following minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

» Ph.D. in Communication

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Sampling of Faculty-Student Research

Coursework & Credit Requirements

Area of Emphasis

Program Timeline

Required Coursework

Application Requirements and Deadlines

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