basic info
- graduate
- 135
- Ph.D. in Mass Communication
description
The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism offers a doctoral degree in cooperation with the School of Media Arts & Studies (formerly Telecommunications). The application process begins with your completing and submitting an application form. You must submit, directly to the Graduate College, your GRE scores and official transcripts from all colleges attended. International students* from non-English speaking countries also must submit a TOEFL score directly to the Graduate College.
To assist the E.W. Scripps School in evaluating your qualifications, you must submit a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of 500 words or less about why you want to attend graduate school, all of which you may send to Michael S. Sweeney at the address below. Letters of recommendation should be printed on letterhead, signed in ink, and mailed with the recommender’s signature across the sealed flap. If you have completed the online version of the application, you may choose to have recommendation letters sent electronically through the online portal (see link above). You also are welcome to submit samples of your professional work to Dr. Sweeney, but they are not required.
You need not have an undergraduate major or master’s degree in journalism to apply for a PhD in mass communication.
The minimum requirements for the doctoral program are 135 quarter hours of graduate work, including up to 50 hours of previous work on the graduate level that have been accepted for transfer by the JSchool. The total hours include up to 15 quarter hours of credit for the dissertation; a major of at least 54 quarter hours (other than the dissertation) in mass communication, and at least 18 quarter hours in a related area outside the College of Communication.
Remaining hours are distributed among courses selected with the approval of a program committee that advises the doctoral candidate on the program of study that will best serve the student’s personal and career goals. Students must take four of the school’s tool skills courses that do not count for graduation. In this case a minimum of 12-15 credit hours of research tools courses are required. These hours also do not count toward the total hours needed for the degree.
Journalism doctoral students admitted for fall may start in summer.
Deadline for application:
The application deadline is February 1. International students are strongly encouraged to submit applications by Dec. 31 for fall admission. This earlier deadline for international applicants is to allow time for international transcripts to be received and evaluated. Even earlier submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
For more information contact:
Michael S. Sweeney
Director of Graduate Studies
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
Voice: 740/593-2589
Fax: 740/593-2592
E-mail: sweenem3@ohio.edu
*Read additional information for international applicants.
curriculum
- Core Courses:
- Philosophy and Foundations
J511 Communication Law (3 hours)
J512 Ethics, Mass Media and Society (3 hours) or J813 Media Ethics and Internet (4 hours)
J803 Seminar in Mass Communication Theory (5 hours)
Topics Seminars (choose at least one of the following):
J513 Gender, Race, and Class in the Mass Media (4 hours)
J635 Seminar in Visual Communications (5 hours)
J812 Government and Mass Communication (4 hours)
J813 Media Ethics and Internet (4 hours)
J814 Literature in Journalism (4 hours)
J815 Seminar in Freedom of the Press (4 hours)
J830 Magazine Research and Development (4 hours)
J850 Seminar in Advertising Copy Writing (4 hours)
J866 Seminar in International Mass Media (5 hours)
J871 Public Relations Problems and Programs (4 hours)
Methodology:
J806 Mass Communication Research (5 hours)
J816 Seminar in Research Methods (5 hours)
J691 Research in Journalism and Communication (3 hours)
Other:
J501 - Introduction to Graduate Study (1 hour)
Dissertation (15 hours)
Research Tool Skills (hours do not count toward graduation):
Two courses in each of two areas, or four courses in one area.
