Communication, PhD

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The PhD in Communication at George Mason University explores critical issues including health communication, science communication, and strategic communication. With a focus on rigorous research methods and theoretical foundations, the program prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and professional communication fields. The program offers three areas of emphasis: Health Communication, Science Communication, and Strategic Communication.

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Degree Overview:

The PhD in Communication at George Mason University delves into crucial issues within the discipline, including:

• Social influence and behavior change
• The digital divide
• Public advocacy
• Intercultural sensitivity
• Media literacy
• National security
The program offers three primary areas of emphasis:
• Health Communication: Focuses on health communication, risk communication, climate change communication, and health communication campaigns.
• Science Communication: Emphasizes science communication, crisis management, and science and the public.
• Strategic Communication: Covers organizational communication, media systems, public communication campaigns, new information technologies, communication policy, and media advocacy.

Outline:

Program Structure:

• The PhD program requires a minimum of 90 credits, with 60 credits beyond the master's degree.
• Up to 30 credits may be transferred from a prior master's degree.
• The program includes core courses in theory and research methods, coursework in substantive fields of study, and a research practicum.
• Students must pass a written qualifying examination and an oral defense of it to advance to candidacy.
• A dissertation, an original and independent research project, is required for graduation.

Course Requirements:

• Core Courses:
• Four Theory Courses (12 credits):
• COMM 700: Building Social Science Theory (3 credits)
• One additional theory course from the following (3 credits):
• COMM 602: Theories and Research of Mass Communication
• COMM 605: Intercultural Communication
• COMM 632: Persuasion Theory
• COMM 634: Theories of Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 635: Organizational Communication
• Two additional theory courses from the following (6 credits):
• COMM 602: Theories and Research of Mass Communication
• COMM 605: Intercultural Communication
• COMM 620: Health Communication
• COMM 630: Theories of Public Relations
• COMM 632: Persuasion Theory
• COMM 634: Theories of Interpersonal Communication
• COMM 635: Organizational Communication
• COMM 639: Science Communication
• COMM 642: Science and the Public
• COMM 706: Strategic Communication
• Three Research Methods Courses (9 credits):
• COMM 650: Intro to Research Methods in Communication (3 credits)
• Specialized Methods Course (3 credits):
• COMM 725: Qualitative Methods
• COMM 750: Quantitative Methods
• COMM 775: Media Content Analysis
• One additional course at the 700-level or above (3 credits)
• Substantive Field of Study:
• Students choose one of the following substantive fields of study:
• Health Communication:
• Select three courses from the following (9 credits):
• COMM 620: Health Communication
• COMM 705: Intercultural Health and Risk Communication
• COMM 720: Consumer-Provider Health Communication
• COMM 820: Health Communication Campaigns
• Select three elective courses chosen with approval of the advisor and director (9 credits)
• Science Communication:
• Select three courses from the following (9 credits):
• COMM 632: Persuasion Theory
• COMM 639: Science Communication
• COMM 642: Science and the Public
• COMM 660: Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns
• Select three courses chosen with approval of the advisor and director (9 credits)
• Strategic Communication:
• Select three courses from the following (9 credits):
• COMM 630: Theories of Public Relations
• COMM 705: Intercultural Health and Risk Communication
• COMM 706: Strategic Communication
• COMM 735: Crisis Communication
• Select three elective courses chosen with approval of the advisor and director (9 credits)
• Research Practicum:
• COMM 701: Communication Science Research Practicum (3 credits)
• Elective Courses:
• Students complete the remaining credits through additional elective courses chosen in consultation with an advisor (0-30 credits)

Advancement to Candidacy:

• Students must complete all coursework required on their approved program of study.
• They must successfully pass a written qualifying exam and an oral qualifying exam.
• A dissertation committee must be appointed by the Dean's Office.

Dissertation:

• Students must maintain continuous registration for at least 1 credit while enrolled in COMM 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal.
• Continuous registration is required each semester (excluding summers) while enrolled in COMM 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research until the dissertation is submitted and accepted.
• Students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation Research.
• Students defending in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of COMM 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
• Students complete a minimum of 3 credits of COMM 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and 3 credits of COMM 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
• A minimum of 18 dissertation credits (COMM 998 and COMM 999 combined) must be applied to the degree.

Assessment:

• Program Outcomes:
• Communication Theories and Approaches (Theory):
Graduates are expected to develop a strong understanding of various communication theories.
• Understanding Influences in the Field (Context): Graduates must demonstrate an understanding of social, cultural, and historical influences on communication.
• Scientific Research (Methods): Doctoral students must demonstrate the ability to conduct rigorous social science research.
• Contributions in the Field (Publications): Doctoral students must demonstrate the ability to contribute to the development or testing of communication theories.

Other:

• Master's Degree Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that applicants have a conferred US or international master's degree before starting the PhD program.
• Transfer of Credit: Up to 30 credits may be transferred from a prior master's degree.
• Program Policies: Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with the program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
• Substitutions: If specific requirements are waived, students must complete substitutions, which must be approved by the graduate committee.