Best PhD in Communications Degree Programs

Requirements vary. In a general sense, graduate students will begin by filling out an application and submitting transcripts for their previous college work. Unofficial transcripts are usually sufficient to apply, but students will need to submit official transcripts once accepted. Students should expect to provide a statement of purpose that briefly describes their interest in communications and plans in the field, and gather several letters of recommendation, preferably with recommenders who are previous instructors. Non-native speakers must submit proof of English proficiency such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). GRE scores may be required, though in most cases, they are optional.

Prospective doctoral students must have completed either a bachelor's or a master's before applying for the program of their choice. Doctoral students accepted with a bachelor's degree will complete master's level work before beginning their doctoral-level courses. Those with a prior master's may receive advanced standing based on their prior coursework. Since communications degrees are broadly based in social sciences and humanities, programs do not generally require students to have majored in communication during their undergraduate career. Resumes with previous professional publications or work in social sciences may make students more attractive to programs, but there are no professional requirements for students to meet before applying.

Accreditation can help ensure that programs and schools meet high educational standards. There are two forms of accreditation, institutional or programmatic. Institutional accreditation indicates that a school overall has met the standards of an accrediting body. Programmatic accreditation means that a specific program at the school has also met quality standards. Doctoral-level communications programs do not have nationally recognized programmatic accreditation as of 2021. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the largest accrediting body in the U.S., accredits communications programs up to the master's level through the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications(ACEJMC). To ensure quality standards for their program, prospective doctoral students can determine if a master's program in communications offered by their school is accredited or seek information on institutional accreditation for their school through CHEA's website.

Most doctoral students will finish their program in around four to seven years if they attend full-time. Most programs will have some course load requirements to guarantee timely degree completion. In such cases, students must meet a minimum number of credit hours to maintain enrollment in the program or meet financial aid requirements. Some programs may afford students more time when necessary. For instance, Columbia's PhD in Communications program allows students nine years for completion.

Doctoral students will take a variety of advanced courses in research, statistics, and research methodologies. This coursework aims to teach students to understand statistical information, format their own research to best convey meaning and the appropriate research methods for work from a social sciences perspective. Particular attention to the differences between qualitative and quantitative research will be given, ensuring that students can meaningfully engage with current academic findings. Students will also take a wide variety of coursework on communication and methods of communication, examining the role of media format in communication and cultural differences in how people communicate worldwide.

Typical core courses include:

• Research & Statistics Courses
• History of Communication
• Communication Theories

Though programs vary, most students will also complete a minor in a different specialty. These minors may take the form of a second language, humanities coursework or fulfill another area of the student's interest. Doctoral students will also meet teaching requirements in their program, complete comprehensive exams and conclude their degree with a dissertation.

Preparing Your Communications Dissertation

Students will begin preparing for their communications dissertation early in their doctoral degree and periodically complete progress checks. Generally, students will choose an area of interest in the field of communications to perform unique research. After determining their area of interest, doctoral candidates will complete a thorough doctoral proposal, including sources for all previous academic research cited by their dissertation, a clear and succinct thesis representing their original work, and any research they intend to perform to further their thesis. The research will include a comprehensive overview of the existing scholarly arguments on the research topic. Students may choose to conduct their own focus groups or surveys.

After students complete their dissertation proposal, it will be approved or amended by a dissertation panel or advisory board. This proposal and the dissertation defense may satisfy a program's comprehensive oral examination requirement. The dissertation board will consist of three to five members of the academic community and may be chosen by the student or the school, depending on the program. Students will submit a completed dissertation to the dissertation board for review and defense, where they will respond to questions and criticisms from the board. With the completion of their dissertation review, students will have satisfied the last requirements for their degree.

Communications degrees offer many possible concentrations for interested students. Since communication is a broad field of study, students who are interested in pursuing unusual specialties such as social media communications degrees may follow their passion with a concentration in mass media and culture. Civically minded individuals looking for leadership careers in communications may choose to concentrate in public relations or politics.

Mass Media Communications

A concentration in mass media focuses on the effect of media on the individual and society. Courses will cover a wide array of cultural issues such as media representation, understanding pop culture phenomenon, and the effect of various media formats on the audience. Students may take courses in graphics communications or digital media, courses on cultural theories and the psychology or sociology of communication, and mass communication history courses. Concentrations in mass media may use different terms such as media culture or media studies according to different programs. Pursuing a media concentration may be particularly attractive to students who intend to pursue careers in marketing communications.

Political Communication

Communication concentrations in political studies may also use different terminology according to the program. At its base, a political communication concentration examines the impact of mass media on political organization and campaigns as well as research theories and methodologies in politics. Students who are interested in pursuing careers in public administration or journalism may be drawn to this concentration because it provides a background in political theory. Graduates who want to further enhance their understanding in their concentration may also complete graduate certificate programs in public administration after graduating. Interested graduates may choose from in-person or online public administration certificate programs.

Health Communication

A concentration in health communications offers an exhaustive overview of health promotions through media, their role in patient health and illness management, prominent health campaigns, and communication between healthcare providers, their networks and communities, patients, and their families. Students will learn about effective or ineffective public health care campaigns and study research theories in health care communication, community organization, healthcare ethics, and how culture or language may produce communication barriers to competent health care for all community members. Students with a background in health communication may choose to work in nonprofits or governmental organizations with healthcare as a primary focus.

Since the study of communication has broad benefits for numerous employers, communications is a popular field with many potential degree programs. Students who do not want to commit to a time-intensive doctoral degree may begin with an associate, bachelor's, or master's in communication. Positions in various fields such as journalism, politics, or marketing are open to communications degree holders at all education levels. Graduate certificates are also available through online graduate certificate programs and in-person communications graduate certificate programs.

Communications Associate Degrees

Associate degree programs in communications award an Associate of Arts (AA) in Communication. Students will satisfy general education requirements and get introduced to basic communication theories. They typically take two years to complete and usually require 60 credit hours. Students who have already completed communications or general education courses through technical schools, community colleges or universities may apply their credits toward their degree. After graduation, students may choose to continue to a four-year degree or start entry-level careers in the media.

Communications Bachelor's Degrees

A bachelor's degree in communications confers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) at its completion. Bachelor's programs generally take full-time students four years to complete, and usually require 120 credit hours. Students will complete research, statistics, and communication theories coursework. Most programs will allow students to shape their program through choosing from a wide variety of electives or the potential to concentrate on one area of interest. Many graduates become journalists or work in marketing or public relations.

Communications Master's Degrees

Bachelor's degree holders may also choose to continue their education with a master's in communication. Master's degrees are usually completed in two years and may be awarded as Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degrees. MA degrees may feature an additional language requirement that MS degrees do not. Master's students may also consider earning a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Communication, which meets doctoral degree requirements but does not include a dissertation or dissertation defense.

Communications Graduate Certificates

Communications graduate certificates can increase graduates' expertise in a specific area of interest and provide further credentials to prospective employers. Generally, graduate certificate programs specialize in one form of communication, such as crisis, risk, or strategic communication. Prospective students must have completed a bachelor's or master's degree. Most certificate programs are completed in 12 to 16 credit hours. Students should be prepared to provide transcripts, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose for admission.

Communications doctoral degree-holders are qualified for many different positions in a variety of fields because of the universal appeal of communications studies and its many concentrations. Because doctoral degrees are research-intensive, most graduates will move on to positions as educators or researchers in academia. However, some graduates may also use their superior understanding of marketing to work in advertising, or their research-centered concentrations in politics or public health to work with governmental agencies or nonprofits.

Become a Postsecondary Teacher of Communications

Most graduates with doctorates in communication intend to become university professors in communications. Since most doctoral programs require students to teach courses as a requirement for enrollment in the program or the receipt of financial aid, graduates with experience leading classrooms are well-positioned to continue their careers as teachers. As enrollment in colleges and universities grows, so does the demand for teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for postsecondary teachers is projected at 9% between 2019-2029, which is higher than the national average for all occupations (4%). In May 2020, the BLS also reported the average wage for postsecondary communications teachers at $80,940.

Postsecondary teachers, or professors, are required to have a PhD in their specialty by most universities. To become a professor of communications, students should earn a BA in communications and then complete a master's and PhD program. Prior research experience or publications may benefit prospective professors during their job hunt.

Become a Market Research Analyst

Not to be confused with the communications studies misnomer communications analyst, a data science career specialized in computer network systems with a computer science background, market research analysts with backgrounds in mass media communications use communications theories and research skills to analyze the marketability of various products. Job growth for market research analysts is projected at a tremendous 19% for the 2019-2029 period. With an average annual wage of $73,970 and the top ten percent of earners reaching $127,410 reported by the BLS in May 2020, communications doctoral students with an interest in the media may find market research analysis enticing.

To become a market research analyst requires at least a bachelor's degree, and research positions will often prefer at least a master's degree. Doctoral degree-holders will be well-qualified in terms of research experience, but professional certificates in market research are often desired by employers as well.

Become a Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists work for organizations, individuals, or governmental agencies to help craft a relatable and positive public image. They create press releases, organize the response to information requests from various media outlets, evaluate polling and research to correctly identify public perceptions of their clients, and work on the communication skills of their clients to present their best versions to the public. Public relations specialists may also draft speeches or promotion campaigns for their clients.

While a bachelor's degree in communications or a related field is often sufficient to begin a career in public relations, the job market is especially competitive and greater educational credentials, especially advanced research experience, can be a boon when seeking prestigious positions with well-known clients. In May 2020, the average wage for public relations specialists was $71,940, but the top ten percent earned $118,210.

There are various communications professional organizations to support the advancement of the careers of communications professionals, their research goals in the field of communication, and broaden scholarly literature and its readership. Communications professionals can choose from a diverse array of professional organizations in their specializations, like public relations or marketing. Alternately or additionally, professionals from minority groups may wish to join professional organizations focused on the promotion of women or minorities in communications.

Below are a few examples of prominent professional organizations for communications:

• The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) provides professional enrichment programs, promotes universal ethical guidelines for PR specialists, and provides an accreditation program for interested individuals.
• The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) promotes the interests of women in communications through scholarship programs, professional development, and networking connections.
• The American Marketer's Association (AMA) provides discounted access to professional certification programs and academic journals for marketers as well as professional boot camps and conferences through more than 65 different chapters situated across the US.

A doctorate in communications represents four or more years of education. As such, it can be quite costly, but tuition varies greatly due to the wide number of available programs. The cost difference between private and public universities can also be considerable. For instance, the cost of tuition alone at Columbia University's PhD in Communications program is projected at $72,667 a year. Meanwhile, the University of North Dakota's PhD program in Communications lists tuition at $12,796.80 yearly. Students interested in reducing the cost of tuition should seek relevant financial aid options.

There are many options for students who want to limit the expense of earning their degree. The first consideration that students should make in terms of financial aid is the extent of financial support their potential programs provide. At the doctoral level, several programs cover the full cost of tuition and may provide an additional monthly stipend for students for up to five years of their degree program. Programs that cover tuition usually require students to complete a certain number of teaching hours.

Some programs that offer full tuition coverage and monthly stipends for graduate students include the University of South Carolina Annenburg, the University of California San Diego and Cornell University.

Students whose programs do not cover the cost of tuition should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with their school's code and contact the financial aid department at their school for institution-specific information. Some programs offer extensive institutional aid instead of tuition reimbursement, such as the University of Missouri's Communications graduate funding.