Program Overview
Colorado State University's Ph.D. in Media Communication focuses on the interplay of history, society, and culture in shaping mediated communication and its role in understanding current affairs. The program emphasizes advanced research and theoretical skills for careers in academia or research-oriented communication positions. Students can specialize in Science Communication, Strategic Communication, or Journalism Studies and complete a dissertation to demonstrate their expertise.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Ph.D. in Media Communication at Colorado State University focuses on the historical, social, and cultural factors that shape the development of mediated communication, and the role of mediated communication in the public's understanding of contemporary issues. The program aims to prepare students with high-level research and theoretical skills for careers in academic and communication research or research management positions. Students are encouraged to pursue a concentration in one of the following: Science Communication, Strategic Communication, or Journalism Studies.
Outline:
The program requires a total of 73 credits and is structured as follows:
- Required Courses (18 credits):
- JTC 500: Communication Research and Evaluation Methods (3 credits)
- JTC 501: Process and Effects of Communication (4 credits)
- JTC 601: Cognitive Communication Theory (3 credits)
- JTC 602: Social and Cultural Communication Theory (3 credits)
- JTC 604: Colloquium--Grad/Teaching/Learning/Research (2 credits)
- JTC 605: Colloquium In Communication Research (1 credit)
- JTC 664: Quantitative Research in Communication (3 credits)
- JTC 665: Qualitative Methods in Communication Research (3 credits)
- Research Methods Electives (9 credits):
- Students can choose 9 credits from the following:
- JTC 793A: Seminar: Experimental Design
- JTC 793B: Seminar: Survey Design
- JTC 793C: Seminar: Content Analysis
- JTC 793D: Seminar: Qualitative Methods
- JTC 793E: Seminar: Human Factors
- JTC 793F: Seminar: Critical and Cultural Methods
- Theory Electives (12 credits):
- Students can choose 12 credits from the following:
- JTC 560: Managing Communications Systems
- JTC 570: Political Economy of Global Media
- JTC 614: Public Communication Campaigns
- JTC 630: Health Communication
- JTC 640: Public Communication Technologies
- JTC 650: Strategic Communications
- JTC 660: Communication and Innovation
- JTC 662: Communicating Science and Technology
- JTC 670: Communication in the Social Processes of Risk
- JTC 792A: Seminar: Health and Risk
- JTC 792B: Seminar: Human Computer Interaction
- JTC 792C: Seminar: Communication Technology in Organizations
- JTC 792D: Seminar: Ethics, Law, and Policy
- JTC 792E: Seminar: Strategic Communication
- JTC 792F: Seminar: Media Technology and Society
- Cognate Area Electives (12 credits):
- Students must select 12 credits from outside the department, or appropriate JTC courses, with approval of their advisor and graduate committee.
- Dissertation Research (29 credits):
- Students must select 9 credits from the following:
- JTC 798: Research
- JTC 799: Dissertation
Careers:
The Ph.D. in Media Communication prepares students for careers in academic and communication research or research management positions.
