PhD in Communication Studies in Minneapolis United States | University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Our PhD program in communication studies equips you for thriving careers in academia and research. Regardless of your chosen specialization, this program highlights the interdisciplinary links within communication fields. Applicants can enter with either a bachelor's or master's degree, with all admitted students receiving five years of full funding. We strive to offer comprehensive support to ensure timely enrollment, degree completion, and successful academic placement. Graduate-level transfer credits are accepted. The structured five-year curriculum enables progressive development, though students entering with a Communication Studies MA may complete the program in four years if desired. During your initial year, you'll participate in an introductory seminar with your cohort and attend the departmental Research Colloquium (COMM8000). The First Year Seminar (COMM8101) familiarizes students with core disciplinary concepts, cross-track theories, and key debates while establishing foundational graduate scholarship skills. First-year training focuses on developing competencies for future milestones, including literature review composition, research question formulation, and methodological planning. Your second year involves specialized coursework within and beyond the department, culminating in a publishable literature review showcasing expertise in your chosen field. The third year completes remaining coursework and requires three field statements serving as written preliminary exams: 1) your primary research area (e.g., media studies, rhetoric), 2) your subfield specialization (e.g., materialist rhetoric, environmental communication), and 3) a comprehensive syllabus reflecting your teaching philosophy. Following an oral examination, you'll achieve candidacy for dissertation work. After a funded summer developing your prospectus, your final two years focus on dissertation research and writing, providing valuable time for grant applications, fellowship opportunities, and job searches.