Program Overview

Program Overview

The Ph.D. Degree program requires a minimum of 72 hours of coursework, plus general exams and a dissertation, to be completed within 4 years (with a maximum of 7 years).

Required Core Courses

• CMST 7900: Introduction to Graduate Study (3 credits)
• CMST 7903: Research Writing (3 credits)
• A 7000-level seminar in Communication Theory (3 credits)
• A 7000-level seminar in Performance Studies (3 credits)
• A 7000-level seminar in Rhetoric (3 credits)

Additional Requirements for Assistantship

• CMST 7901: Pedagogy (3 credits)

Additional Courses in CMST

• At least 2 more courses in emphasis at the 7000 level (6 credits)
  • Courses are to be taken within the department to deepen knowledge in the area of emphasis.
• At least 1 more course in another area at the 7000 level (3 credits)
  • This course is to be taken outside of the primary emphasis area to broaden the student's knowledge.
• At least 2 more courses in emphasis at the 4000 or 7000 level (6 credits)
  • These courses can be taken at either the 4000 or 7000 level and are intended to further specialize the student's knowledge in their emphasis area.

External Study Requirement

• At least 3 courses outside of the department (9 credits)
  • This requirement is designed to encourage interdisciplinary study and broaden the student's academic perspective.

Additional Course Requirements

• At least 1 more course in or out of CMST at the 7000 level (3 credits)
• CMST 9000: Dissertation Research (9 hours; does not count towards the total credit requirement)
  • This course is dedicated to the research and preparation of the dissertation.

Credit Requirements

• The program requires a total of 72 (73) credits.
• A maximum of 30 credits from an M.A. program (exclusive of independent study and thesis credits) can be applied towards the Ph.D. degree.