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A Ph.D. in Communication & Media Studies is a postgraduate program in the field of Communication and Media Studies which prepares students for research and scholarship at the doctorate level in areas of interpersonal communication, Mass Communication, public Relations, Advertising, New Media, Journalism, etc. It usually takes 4-6 years for a candidate to complete a Ph.D. program in Communication & Media Studies if he/she attends classes full time. The first 2 years are concerned with the completion of prescribed coursework, which includes the understanding of communication theory, quantitative and qualitative research, and seminars in the field of the student’s or specialization. The rest of the time is spent in carrying out dissertation research and preparing the final dissertation paper with the help of faculty advisers.
The two standardized tests most frequently taken and accepted for admission into Communication & Media Studies Ph.D. programs are The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test that evaluates the candidate’s verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills; GRE Subject Test in Psychology that evaluates knowledge of psychology to determine the candidate’s research and analytical capabilities. Other accepted exams may include the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the GMAT for programs within business schools. It is not usually possible to be admitted to any of these entrance exams without having high scores in them in addition to letters of recommendation and well stated research interests.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy (Communication & Media Studies) |
| Also Known As | Ph.D. in Communication, Ph.D. in Media Studies |
| Duration | 4-6 years (full-time), may vary depending on the program |
| Course Level | Doctoral Level |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in Communication Studies, Media Studies, Journalism, or a closely related field with a strong foundation in communication theory, research methods, and potentially a specific media focus (e.g., digital media, film studies). |
| Top Universities (World) | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (UK), National University of Singapore, University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania (USA), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) |
| Top Universities (US) | Northwestern University (USA), University of Southern California (USC) (USA), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA), University of Texas at Austin (USA), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) (USA) |
1. Academic qualification: Master’s degree in Mass Communication/Journalism or any related fields with minimum 55% marks in the qualification.
2. Have passed the UGC/CSIR NET exam or pass the SET/SLET exam or the teacher fellowship holder or pass M.Phil. program.
3. Those who have not qualified NET/SET will have to write the entrance exam conducted either by the university or the concerned institute.
4. Some universities may require a candidate with at least 2-3 years of work experience in media, journalism or other related fields.
| Subject | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Core Theories & Frameworks |
- Communication models (Lasswell, Schramm, etc.) - Critical theory (Marxist, feminist, etc.) - Cultural studies (hegemony, audience reception) - Media studies (political economy, representation) |
| Research Methods |
- Quantitative methods (surveys, experiments) - Qualitative methods (interviews, ethnography) - Content analysis - Mixed methods - Research ethics |
| Communication & Technology |
- The internet and social media - Digital culture and identity - Data and privacy - Communication technologies and social change |
| Media Industries |
- Economics and politics of media - Media globalization - Journalism studies - Advertising and public relations |
| Area of Specialization (Choose One) | - Topics will vary depending on chosen specialization (e.g., health communication, media and policy, film studies) |
| Dissertation Research |
- Developing a research question - Literature review - Data collection and analysis - Writing and defending the dissertation |
| Specialization | Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| General Communication | $80,000 - $120,000+ |
| $60,000 - $100,000+ | |
| $75,000 - $120,000+ | |
| Health Communication | $65,000 - $90,000+ |
| $55,000 - $80,000+ | |
| $70,000 - $100,000+ | |
| Media & Policy | $60,000 - $90,000+ |
| $70,000 - $100,000+ | |
| $85,000 - $130,000+ |
