Specializations
Doctoral students at UConn specialize their training and research work in one of several areas. These specialization areas are:
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication
Political Communication
Health Communication
Children and Media
International Communication
Marketing Communication
New Communication Technology
Nonverbal Communication & Emotion
Persuasion Communication Theory
The Communication program offers a wide range of courses which provide an important theoretical grounding for research. These courses include:
Mass Communication Theory
Interpersonal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Persuasion Theory and Research
These and other communication courses provide students with the theoretical tools that are necessary to effectively analyze a variety of communication contexts.
Application of Theory
The Communication program applies theory to research in the areas of emotional communication, health communication, new communication technologies, political communication, international communication, personal relations, public communication campaigns, developmental communication, small group, decision making, and discourse analysis.
Research Methods
The Communication program offers students a solid grounding in quantitative research methods. These courses provide students with the tools necessary to successfully carry out a program of empirical research. Course topics include:
Research Design
Multivariate Statistics and Causal Modeling
Mathematical Modeling and Simulation
Educational Goals
General Focus of the Program
The general aim of the Ph.D. program in Communication is to provide students with a rigorous course of study that will prepare them for careers in either the academic or commercial spheres. The curriculum is not directed toward either of these domains, but rather attempts to give students a breadth of scholarly training that will allow them to pursue either of these career paths.
Academic Sphere. There is a very strong academic research component to communication. Persons with interests in communication are currently found on Communication faculties and in schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. Communication is an established academic area, as reflected in published research by faculty members in departments of Communication.
Commercial Sphere. Many organizations realize the value of research in mass communication effects, advertising, audience analysis, and other areas of communication. They have created a significant number of positions in communication. At the middle and upper management level, these are often filled by people with Ph.D. degrees. Training for persons filling these positions is often obtained in programs which do not equally emphasize communication theory and methods.
The Ph.D. program in Communication is designed to provide the student with strong knowledge of communication theory, coupled with very strong research skills. A graduate of this program can step into a commercial research position without facing a period of hit-or-miss "on-the-job" training.
Length of Program
The time required for completion for the Ph.D. program will differ, depending on the degree status of entering students, and the courses already completed by the student at the graduate or undergraduate level.
It is expected that students entering with a master’s degree will require approximately three years to complete the requisite course work, pass qualifying exams, and then write the dissertation.
Students entering with a bachelor’s degree will need 4 to 5 years to complete the doctorate. Approximately two years of this work is applicable to an M.A. degree in Communication, which may be awarded if the student meets all M.A. requirements.
The final program of course work and research for a student is created in consultation with his/her academic advisory committee. This program takes into account the student’s prior coursework and career objectives.
Course of Study
A graduate student entering with a B.A. or B.S. would normally be required to take:
Research Methods (18 credits)
Intro to Research Methods (Scientific method, basic statistics)
Communication Research Methods (Research design, multivariate statistics)
Advanced Research Methods
Theory Construction and Research Design
Seminar in Methods (Advanced multivariate methods & application)
Elective in Research Methods
Communication Theory (18 credits)
Students take survey courses in major areas of Communication, such as:
Mass Communication Theory
Persuasion Theory & Research
Interpersonal Communication
Area Emphasis Courses (15 credits)
Students, in consultation with their advising committee, choose additional courses in their specialization. For information on offerings in each specialization, check the website..
Research Requirement
Students participate in at least two research projects mentored by faculty before beginning their dissertation. These projects provide students with the necessary research experience before beginning the independent research required by the dissertation. They also put students in a better position to enter the Ph.D. job market.
Elective Courses (9 credits)
The student, in consultation with the academic advisory committee, will take an additional 9 credits in an area chosen to provide breadth or specialized skills. Typical areas might be social/behavioral research, computer science, or specialized business or communication areas.
Qualifying Exams
After coursework is completed, students take a comprehensive exam. When they pass, they are considered “Ph.D Candidates,” or A.B.D. (all but dissertation).
Dissertation
An original research project designed by the student, approved by the advising committee.
Assistantships & Financial Aid
Most Ph.D. students are funded through teaching or research assistantships. Teaching and research assistants receive a stipend for nine months, and all tuition is waived. Assistants receive training and are supervised by faculty. Decisions for awarding money are made by the department in mid-April. Eligible graduate students may also receive work-study money. There are also a number of loan programs available.
Length Of Program
The time required to complete the Ph.D. program depends on the degree status of entering students & courses already taken. Students work with their advising committee to create an academic plan. Students entering with a M.A. need about 3 years to finish courses, pass qualifying exams, and then write the dissertation. Students entering with a B.A. or B.S. will need 4 to 5 years to complete the doctorate. They are eligible for a M.A. in Communication after passing the qualifying exams.
Admissions Procedure
The application deadline is January 1.
Your completed application must include:
Complete, official undergraduate and (where appropriate) graduate transcripts
The results of the GRE exam
3 letters of recommendation
A statement of purpose
For forms and details about the application process, please go to the UConn Graduate School webpage. Additional information about the department, degree requirements, and course offerings, consult the most current Graduate Catalog (2007-2008), available in PDF here.
If you have specific questions about the program, contact the Communication Graduate Program Director, Professor Ross Buck. |
The Ph.D. program in Communication at the University of Connecticut offers students a unique curriculum which stresses the integration of theory and research in communication. This program is conducted in the Department of Communication Sciences. It culminates in a Ph.D. within the field of Communication.