Program Overview

PhD in Communication Studies - Northwestern University School of Communication

Introduction

The Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetoric, Media, and Publics is replacing the PhD in Communication Studies (Rhetoric and Public Culture). This program is an interschool collaboration between the School of Communication, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and the Medill School of Journalism, Media & Integrated Marketing Communications, based in the School of Communication.

Program Overview

The Rhetoric, Media, and Publics PhD program, grounded in the humanistic tradition of rhetoric, explores how people influence, reflect, and transform society through mediated practices. Students learn to analyze the production and circulation of meaning in various rhetorical and journalistic texts, practices, and institutions through qualitative inquiry. They also engage audiences and communities directly in knowledge production. The program focuses on public media as sites for political contestation, representation and interrogation of ethics and power, and imagining personhood and collective life.

Application Information

• Application Period for Fall 2026:
  • Application Opens: Monday, September 29th, 2025
  • Application Deadline: Monday, December 1st, 2025
• The application portal is available on the Northwestern University Graduate School website.
• Prospective students are advised to read the FAQ section of the Rhetoric, Media, and Publics website for detailed information on application requirements and processes.

Program Structure and Details

The PhD in Rhetoric, Media, and Publics is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the intersection of rhetoric, media, and publics. The program is structured to facilitate students' ability to analyze and engage with complex social, political, and aesthetic issues through mediated practices.

Key Program Elements

• Interdisciplinary Approach: The program combines insights from rhetoric, media studies, and public culture to offer a comprehensive understanding of how meaning is produced and circulated in society.
• Qualitative Inquiry: Students are trained in various modes of qualitative inquiry to analyze and interpret rhetorical and journalistic texts, practices, and institutions.
• Engagement with Audiences and Communities: The program emphasizes the importance of engaging directly with audiences and communities in the production of knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding of public media as a site for political contestation and social transformation.

Conclusion

The PhD in Rhetoric, Media, and Publics at Northwestern University School of Communication offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the complex relationships between rhetoric, media, and publics. With its interdisciplinary approach, focus on qualitative inquiry, and emphasis on community engagement, this program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of public communication.