Communication and Media Studies (PhD)
The doctoral program in Communication and Media Studies provides a foundation in theory and methods for research in the field of communication and media studies. Students acquire an overview of theoretical and methodological approaches to studying the gathering, expression and dissemination of ideas, images and information in society. Each student also develops both an inside and outside area of specialization. Each student’s program is monitored to facilitate preparation for comprehensive exams and dissertation research, and students work closely with advisors and other faculty in small seminar settings and via independent study.
Our internationally recognized faculty offer students the opportunity to study with leading experts in a range of overlapping specialties, including: media institutions; science, health, and environmental communication; technology and society; game studies; global media; critical/cultural approaches to communication; persuasion and media psychology; media and public life; media ethics and law; journalism studies; and visual communication.
Admission Process
Please visit the program's website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Acquire an understanding of key theories that define the field of media studies.
- Gain a working understanding of empirical methods.
- Demonstrate a proficiency in one outside area and one outside.
- Develop and present an empirical research project.
- Communicate their findings in the form of a dissertation.
Communication and Media Studies Major Requirements
Candidates for the PhD degree in communication and media studies take a minimum of 81 graduate-level credits of course work beyond the master’s degree. The program concludes with a dissertation.
Note: Please review the SOJC graduate student handbook for updated program requirements, which do not yet appear in the catalog: https://sojcstudent.uoregon.edu/graduate/student-handbook/
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree typically take 81 graduate-level credits of course work beyond the master’s degree; the exact number of credits depends on the student’s prior graduate study experience. The program concludes with a dissertation. The Division of Graduate Studies requires that doctoral students spend at least one academic year (three consecutive terms of full-time study with a minimum of 9 completed graduate credits per term) in residence on the Eugene campus after being accepted into a doctoral program. All coursework leading to the doctoral degree must be completed within seven years.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Sequence | ||
| Teaching and the Professional Life | ||
| Media Theory I | ||
| Media Theory II | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Doctoral Research | ||
| JCOM Communication/Media Studies Inside Specialty Courses 1 | 12 | |
| Outside Field Courses 2 | 12 | |
| Methodology Courses 3 | 4-5 | |
| JCOM 603 | Dissertation | 18 |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
- 1
Each student must specify an area of expertise within the SOJC. An area of specialization may coincide with the current areas of faculty expertise or may represent another area within the field of communication/media studies. The area of specialization must be supported with relevant course work, which typically includes three to four courses (12 credits minimum) in the SOJC, although courses outside the school may also be appropriate.
- 2
In close consultation with their advisor, each student designs an integrated outside-related field component consisting of 3-4 courses (12 credits minimum) for their course of study. The Ph.D. program stresses the interconnectedness of communication/media studies with other disciplines; therefore, the outside field may involve more than one outside department.
- 3
At least one additional methodology course must be taken. These courses may be taken outside the school.
- Methodological Tool Requirement: A student may be required to take additional methods courses depending on the student’s specific research aims within and/or outside the SOJC.
- University Teaching: All students are required to take JCOM 619 Teaching and Professional Life during their first term in the program. After completing this course, appropriate teaching experience in the SOJC will be arranged and coordinated by the Doctoral Program Director in coordination with other SOJC leadership.
- Comprehensive Examination: After course work is complete, the student, the advisor, and the student’s comprehensive examination committee will schedule an examination process that synthesizes what the student has learned. Student will register for 9 credits of JCOM 601 Research and JCOM 605 Reading credits while they study for their comprehensive exams.
- Proposal Approval: Within one or two terms of the comprehensive exams, the student must complete a dissertation proposal in consultation with their chair and committee members. Once Page 52 the proposal is complete, the student must arrange a meeting with the committee to discuss the proposal and agree on any changes. The student should notify the Graduate Programs Assistant with the date and time of the meeting. The student should bring proposal approval forms to the meeting. Once the proposal has been approved by all committee members, the student may advance to candidacy and begin work on the dissertation. It is expected that doctoral students will advance to candidacy within two terms of passing the comprehensive exam.
- Dissertation: The dissertation is a substantial document presenting independent research that makes a contribution to the current body of knowledge in a scholarly field. Students must enroll for at least 18 credits of JCOM 603 after passing the comprehensive exams.
- Doctoral students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and to earn no lower than a B- in graded and Pass/No Pass courses. Course grades below B- are not accepted toward degree credits but are computed in the GPA. Should students earn a grade of lower than a B- in any of the 27 CMS core, required credits, they must retake those credits and earn a B- or higher.
- Doctoral students are required to take at least 54 of their 81 total minimum credits as graded courses with a grade of B- or better. A grade of N (no pass) in a Pass/No Pass course is not accepted for graduate credit.
- Core CMS courses = 27 credits
- Inside specialty = 12 credits minimum
- Outside specialty = 12 credits minimum
- Third Methods Course = 3 credits minimum
- Total = 54 graded credits
- Students may count up to 27 P/N credits toward their 81 minimum credits required for a CMS PhD. These include JCOM601 Research, JCOM605 Reading/Conference and JCOM 603 Dissertation, as well as similar outside independent studies courses.
- Doctoral students are expected to take scheduled seminars to satisfy their inside and outside specializations, working with coursework professors when possible, to tailor seminar work toward their specializations. When supervised independent study is needed to support specializations, and appropriate seminars are not available, students may work with their advisors to obtain approval for a limited number of independent study courses to count toward their required inside/outside specializations. These independent study courses must be described in a student’s first- and second-year program statements along with course descriptions and rationales for why the courses were needed and how the courses support the student’s and degree plan.”
- Note: JCOM 605 Reading and Conference refers to independent study credits taken through agreement with a faculty supervisor. “Conference” does NOT refer to work related to a scholarly conference.