Program Overview
Ph.D. in Communication
The Doctorate in Communication at Michigan State University, founded in 1961, is a prestigious communication degree that focuses on the scholarly analysis of social processes, with an emphasis on the characteristics of messages and channels. This fully funded four-year program is designed to maximize creative growth and development, providing students with the skills needed to succeed in an intellectual community.
Program Specializations
- Social network analysis
- Social media
- Communication analytics
- Mass communication
- Persuasion and social influence
- Health and risk communication
- Interpersonal and group communication
- Diffusion of innovations
- Organizational communication
- Quantitative research methods
Program Accolades
Michigan State University is ranked #5 in the world by ShanghaiRanking for Communication, and QS World University rankings place MSU 13th in the world and 8th in the U.S. in Communication and Media Studies. The program boasts a productive world-class PhD faculty, recent graduate placements, ICA awards, and a strong doctoral program reputation.
Research
During their four years in the program, students work closely with faculty members and other graduate students on ongoing collaborative research projects, gaining skills in collaboration, securing funding, and generating independent hypotheses. Research areas include:
- Social processes
- Message and channel characteristics
- Collaborative research projects
- Real-world relevancy
- Teamwork for common objectives
Research Labs and Centers
The department features collaborative labs and learning spaces, including:
- CASE Lab
- Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab
- Quello Center
- Center for Journalism Studies
- Knight Center for Environmental Journalism
- Spartan Newsroom and Immersive Media Studio
Meet Our Current Students
The program attracts some of the sharpest minds in the world, with students pursuing their doctorate in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.
Information for Current Students
Resources for current students include:
- Graduate Handbook
- Graduate Forms
- Programs and Research Policies
- Responsible and Ethical Conduct in Research
Featured News From the Department
Recent research and news from the department include studies on connection and loneliness among young adults, strategic communication, ADHD research, and institutional leadership awards.
Program Reputation
The Michigan State Department of Communication has been directly associated with the careers of more ICA Fellows than any other university, with current and former faculty members winning numerous awards, including ICA mentor awards for doctoral advising. The program consistently ranks at the top in terms of reputation and journal productivity.