Storrs,
CT,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
PhD in Communication - Mass Communication in Storrs United States | University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
|
Storrs United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Doctor of Philosophy
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
40,746
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
48 months
The primary objective of the Ph.D. in Communication is to equip students with comprehensive academic preparation suitable for both scholarly and professional career paths. Rather than focusing exclusively on one domain, the program offers broad intellectual training that enables graduates to succeed in diverse fields.
Academic Focus. Communication studies emphasize rigorous scholarly investigation. Professionals in this discipline hold positions in Communication departments as well as Journalism and Mass Communication schools. The field's academic legitimacy is demonstrated through extensive faculty research published in Communication journals.
Professional Applications. Corporations increasingly recognize the importance of communication research in areas like media influence, marketing strategies, consumer behavior studies, and related fields. This has led to growing demand for communication specialists, with many leadership roles requiring doctoral qualifications. Unlike programs that prioritize either theory or practice, this Ph.D. curriculum balances conceptual knowledge with advanced research methodologies. Graduates enter the workforce fully prepared for research-intensive roles without needing extensive additional training.
Program duration varies based on students' prior academic background and completed coursework. Typically, candidates entering with a master's degree can expect to spend about four years completing required courses, passing examinations, and finishing their dissertation research and defense.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 7.0
Qualification Requirements
The Department of Communication requires the demonstration of written, verbal, and quantitative competencies, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a writing sample, a CV/resume, complete post-secondary transcripts, and, for non-native speakers of English, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores, unless the applicant qualifies for the Graduate School Language Proficiency Examination Waiver. Please note that all application materials must be submitted via the Slate online application system. Hard copies that are mailed to the department will not be accepted.
Quantitative competency: Students applying for admission are required to demonstrate their quantitative competency. This may be demonstrated in different ways including, but not limited to, the following: quantitative GRE or GMAT score and percentile, listing relevant courses with grade received (e.g. quantitative research methods, advanced mathematics, or statistics courses), certification of proficiency with statistical packages or techniques. One indicator of competency is required, but you are welcome to provide more.
Verbal competency: Students applying for admission are required to demonstrate their verbal competency. A writing sample and personal statement are both mandatory and are one way that verbal competency is assessed. While the writing sample and personal statement are both required you are welcome to provide additional evidence, such as a verbal GRE score.
GRE scores: Optional, effective Fall 2023 admissions cycle. (UConn GRE code: 3915)
Letters of Recommendation: In the application, submit only the contact information for three recommenders. The recommenders will be contacted to send their letters via a Slate request.
Transcripts: All post-secondary transcripts must be submitted with the application. For degrees in progress, submit up to date unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts indicating degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation.
For international applicants who are NOT eligible for the Language Proficiency Waiver, we require one of the tests below. The department requires the following scores for whichever test option you choose:
TOEFL: Applicants must score 23 or above on the Reading, Listening and Writing components. Additionally, applicants must score a 27 or above on the Speaking component and have a combined TOEFL score total of at least 100.
IELTS: Applicants must receive an overall band score of 7. Additionally, applicants must receive a Speaking band score of 8.0 or higher.
PTE: Applicants must receive an overall score of 74 or higher.
A cumulative GPA for their most recent degree of 3.0 or higher for the entire degree
Quantitative competency: Students applying for admission are required to demonstrate their quantitative competency. This may be demonstrated in different ways including, but not limited to, the following: quantitative GRE or GMAT score and percentile, listing relevant courses with grade received (e.g. quantitative research methods, advanced mathematics, or statistics courses), certification of proficiency with statistical packages or techniques. One indicator of competency is required, but you are welcome to provide more.
Verbal competency: Students applying for admission are required to demonstrate their verbal competency. A writing sample and personal statement are both mandatory and are one way that verbal competency is assessed. While the writing sample and personal statement are both required you are welcome to provide additional evidence, such as a verbal GRE score.
GRE scores: Optional, effective Fall 2023 admissions cycle. (UConn GRE code: 3915)
Letters of Recommendation: In the application, submit only the contact information for three recommenders. The recommenders will be contacted to send their letters via a Slate request.
Transcripts: All post-secondary transcripts must be submitted with the application. For degrees in progress, submit up to date unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts indicating degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation.
For international applicants who are NOT eligible for the Language Proficiency Waiver, we require one of the tests below. The department requires the following scores for whichever test option you choose:
TOEFL: Applicants must score 23 or above on the Reading, Listening and Writing components. Additionally, applicants must score a 27 or above on the Speaking component and have a combined TOEFL score total of at least 100.
IELTS: Applicants must receive an overall band score of 7. Additionally, applicants must receive a Speaking band score of 8.0 or higher.
PTE: Applicants must receive an overall score of 74 or higher.
A cumulative GPA for their most recent degree of 3.0 or higher for the entire degree
Tuition
USD
40,746