Doctoral students take courses both inside and outside the Newhouse School and develop an area of expertise while working with faculty from across Syracuse University.
You can specialize in the functions and social effects of print and electronic media or focus on media-related institutions in society. Topics you might consider include influences on media content, media influence on social behavior, new communications technologies, advertising influences on consumer behavior, public relations, media law and ethics, diversity and the media, science communication and political communication.
Coursework includes four areas of study: mass communication theory, research methods and statistics, courses related to the dissertation and a substantive area outside the Newhouse School (for example, sociology, psychology, political science, information studies).
Applicants with master’s degrees will be given preference for admission to the Ph.D. program.
Students are active in the Syracuse University Future Professoriate Program, which provides superior training and mentoring in college level teaching.
Research (9 credits)
| COM 601 | Research Project Design |
| COM 605 | Quantitative Methods for Mass Communications |
| COM 606 | Qualitative Methods for Mass Communications Research |
Theory (9 credits)
| COM 755 | Communications Theory |
| COM 788 | Advanced Theories in Media Content |
| Newhouse Theory Course |
Advanced Methods Course (3 credits)
| Newhouse Advanced Methods Course |
Statistics Courses (6 credits)
| Choose two statistics courses |
Core Specialization Electives (15 credits)
| Choose five additional Newhouse and/or outside Newhouse courses. Courses are chosen with your advisor. |
PhD Program: 42
Dissertation (18 credits)
| Students choose a dissertation topic with the guidance of their faculty advisor. |
Total for Program: 60