Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

Program Overview

Pursue a Career as a Communication Leader through Academic and Applied Research

Investigate how individuals and groups communicate with one another across diverse cultures, organizations, and technologies through the doctoral in communication program at the University at Albany.

You will explore research theories and methods, and discover how to apply your knowledge of communication to solve the contemporary challenges of governments, organizations, and populations.

Through coursework and research, you will be equipped for a career teaching at the college or university level, or as a researcher, consultant, or strategist.

Program of Study

Core Courses

• Theory Courses
  • Communication Theory
  • Persuasion/Message Design and Social Influence
  • Additional theory course
• Methods Courses
  • Communication Research Methods
  • 2 additional quantitative and/or qualitative methods courses
• Breadth Courses (6 credits)
  • You should become familiar with one or two other fields of study within communication beyond your concentration. Sample courses:
    • Theories and Research in Public Organizational Communication
    • Interpersonal Interaction
    • Culture and Communication
    • Theories and Research in Political Communication
    • Introduction to Health Communication

Substantive Area (15 credits)

• You will work with your faculty advisor to define your substantive area.
• Fields of study:
  • Interpersonal/intercultural communication
  • Organizational communication
  • Political communication
  • Health communication
  • Communication technologies

Cognate Area (9 credits)

• Your advisor will help you select courses in or outside the department related to, or supportive of, your substantive area.

Guided Research Project (6 credits)

• This is typically a two-semester commitment during the third and fourth semesters of study.
• An MA thesis completed elsewhere does not necessarily exempt you from the guided research project requirement; this will be determined during approval of your Plan of Study.
• If you have completed a guided research project during your MA coursework at the University at Albany, you may transfer the credits.
• Internship practicum credits from the MA in Communication cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

Electives (6 credits)

• Electives inside and outside of the department, including independent studies, as advised. Sample courses:
  • Understanding Data in Strategic Communication
  • Communication and Public Health
  • Mass Media Effects in Political Communication
  • Organizational Culture
  • Digital and Social Media in Strategic Communication

Proseminar

• You will participate in regular research discussions with faculty during the academic year until your coursework is completed.

Qualifying Exam

• You will take one qualifying exam comprised of three areas: One in methods, two in substantive areas as defined in consultation with the qualifying examination committee.

Research Tool

• Demonstrated competence in use of one research tool relevant to your area of specialization.
• The research tool requirement may be fulfilled with a reading knowledge in one appropriate foreign language, or competence in one special methodological area.

Teaching Tool/Pedagogy Requirement

• Fulfill this requirement by successfully engaging in a real teaching experience, such as teaching a course or playing a major role in assisting in the teaching of a course, under the supervision of a faculty member in the department.

Dissertation

• Complete a dissertation presenting original research, guided by a committee comprised of at least three faculty members, one of whom will serve as chair.

Research

• Throughout the program, you will participate in regular research discussions with faculty mentors.
• These proseminar conversations will deepen your understanding of your selected research track.
• A faculty member will also guide you through an independent research project.
• Your research project can relate closely to one of three major areas of study - health, organizational, and political communication - or tie multiple areas together.

Career Outcomes

• A sound understanding of communication methods, theories, and challenges can prepare you for a career in media, writing and editing, public relations, and public policy.
• Potential job titles for professionals with a PhD in Communication include:
  • Professor or assistant professor
  • Public relations director
  • Communication researcher
  • Technical writer
  • Communication director
  • Content strategist

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: February 1
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: February 1
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE test scores
• Statement of Goals
• Writing Sample

Letters of Recommendation

• Letters should come from university faculty with whom you studied, preferably more senior, permanent faculty.
• Letters from employers or work associates do not provide information about your ability as a student.

Personal Statement

• Your personal statement should inform the Admissions Committee about what you hope to gain from studying Communication at the graduate level.
• In particular, your statement should be informative about:
  • How you expect graduate studies in Communication to be relevant to and supportive of your plans and goals after your receive your degree
  • What you hope to learn as a graduate student and how that will benefit you
  • What it is about the UAlbany program in particular that led you to apply here

Writing Sample

• Your writing sample should demonstrate your ability to analyze and reason about the claims and thinking presented in others’ texts, and to write arguments supporting your claims.

GRE Scores

• GRE scores are required with all PhD applications.
• We look for a minimum score of 1,000 combined (old paper-based scoring) or approximately 300 combined (new computer-based scoring).

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

• All international applicants must submit TOEFL or IEFLTS scores except for those who have earned BA or MA degrees in English-speaking countries.
• In general, the minimum TOEFL score required for admission to our graduate program is 580 (paper-based total), 237 (computer-based total) or 93 (internet-based total).
• The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Objectives:

• Investigate how individuals and groups communicate across diverse cultures, organizations, and technologies.
It equips students with the knowledge and skills to:
• Conduct independent research and contribute to the field of communication studies.
• Understand the role of communication in organizations, health, and politics.
• Analyze and interpret various forms of communication, including interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and mediated communication.
• Analyze and interpret communication across diverse contexts, including culture, race, gender, and social class.
• Design and implement effective communication strategies for a variety of audiences.
• Teach communication effectively at the college or university level.

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Outline:

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Program Structure:

• Minimum of 60 credits
• Consists of coursework, research project, and dissertation
• Three main concentration areas:
• Health communication
• Organizational communication
• Political communication
• Option to customize your sequence or conduct research across multiple fields
• Regular research discussions with faculty
• Guided research project during the third and fourth semesters
• Qualifying exam
• Dissertation

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Coursework:

• Core Courses: Theory, research methods, communication ethics
• Breadth Courses: Introduction to other areas of communication beyond your concentration
• Substantive Area Courses: Focused study within your chosen area of concentration
• Cognate Area Courses: Courses related to your substantive area
• Relates closely to one of three major areas of study (health, organizational, political communication) or ties multiple areas together

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Dissertation:

• Original research project presented and defended before a committee
• Culmination of your doctoral studies

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Assessment:

• Qualifying exam: assesses understanding of communication theory, research methods, and substantive areas
• Research project: evaluated by faculty advisor based on originality, rigor, and contribution to the field
• Dissertation: defended before a committee of faculty members based on its originality, significance, and methodological soundness.

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Teaching:

• Opportunities to gain teaching experience through assistantships and teaching internships
• Supervised by experienced faculty members
• Emphasis on developing effective teaching methods and engaging students in the learning process

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Careers:

• Potential job titles include: professor, communication researcher, public relations director, communication director, content strategist
• Graduates may pursue careers in academia, research institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies.

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Other:

• The program offers opportunities for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• There is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration with faculty from other departments.
• The program provides access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.