PhD Degree Requirements
Normally, a student's program of work will consist of the core, below; the four areas, in which a student characteristically will have four or more courses; the statistics requirement and a small number of other courses (e.g. J 398T) that may supplement the program.
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum will consist of a series of required courses in three sequences.
A. The Theory Sequence consists of a two-semester sequence of three-credit courses: The first semester will include an introduction to mass communication theory and theories of audience and effects. The second semester will examine critical and cultural theoretical perspectives within the study of mass communication.
B. The Research Methodology Sequence will consist of a two-semester sequence of three-credit courses: courses taken in the first year and a third course in qualitative research methods to be taken in the second year of work. The research methods first-year sequence, which begins with an introduction to the primary methods used to conduct quantitative journalism and mass communication research, takes students through a research project, from conceptualization and problem statement through analysis, reporting and writing of research results. Research methods examined during the first semester include surveys, content analysis, and experiments. The second semester will be devoted to data analysis and research report writing.
C. The Proseminar is offered in the first semester and is an introduction to graduate study and the life of a scholar in journalism/mass communication.
In addition, all doctoral students will complete at least one comprehensive course in statistics; students emphasizing quantitative and social science approaches will be expected to take additional statistics courses.
Foreign Language/Culture Requirement
Doctoral students must show competence in a foreign language or substantial understanding of a foreign culture by one of these methods: four semesters of college-level foreign language study; passing a competency examination in a foreign language; being a native speaker of a language other than English; study of a culture outside the U.S. (satisfied by two courses with a focus on a non-U.S. culture); or significant cultural experience in a foreign culture, such as long-term work and/or residence in another country (to be approved on a case-by-case basis by the graduate adviser). This foreign language or cultural competency, which must be approved by the graduate adviser, is in addition to the program of work for the Ph.D. and cannot be counted in the areas of concentration.
Program of Work
In the third semester of doctoral work-in the second semester for doctoral students who have completed their master's programs within the School of Journalism-all students will file a program of work listing courses completed in the four areas, courses proposed for the remainder of the program, a brief description of the proposed dissertation, and a proposed list of the dissertation committee members. Students prepare the program of work with the assistance of the Graduate Adviser and a graduate faculty member whom the student expects to supervise the dissertation.
The program of work will be approved or modified by a subcommittee of the graduate faculty. Minor amendments to the program of work, such as substituting up to two courses that are not offered, must be approved by the supervising faculty member and signed off by the Graduate Adviser. Substantial amendments to the approved program of work such as changes in dissertation topic must be approved by the supervisor and Graduate Adviser and be re-submitted to the Graduate Studies Subcommittee for approval.
The Program of Work worksheet can be downloaded. Contact Lisa Jaskolka for questions and/or concerns.
