For the most up-to-date information on our graduate program, visit the website for our doctoral program at http://www.coms.ohiou.edu.

The School of Communication Studies expects its graduates to develop a specialist’s depth in the study of human communication as well as a generalist’s perspective.  All students complete a common set of core courses and then proceed to take specialized courses relevant to their professional objectives. 

The School offers the Ph.D. degree with primary areas of study in rhetoric and public culture, health communication, and relating and organizing. Students select their primary and related areas of study in consultation with their program of study committee and with permission of the School’s graduate committee. Admission to graduate study is granted on the basis of a match between the student’s academic goals and the School’s primary areas of study, recommendations of those familiar with the student’s academic and other work, undergraduate and graduate grade-point average and class standing, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, submitted writing sample, and experiential and other informal learning experiences. International students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a TOEFL score.

To be admitted unconditionally, you must have received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree or completed equivalent work (as approved by the University) at an accredited institution.

Students holding a BA degree from an accredited institution and who show extraordinary potential as a graduate student can apply for direct admission to our doctoral program following normal admission procedures.  Those admitted will receive the MA degree while progressing through the doctoral program requirements.  The MA is automatically awarded upon successful completion of the preliminary examination and two years of coursework.  Direct to Doctorate students may be required to take additional coursework if the student’s program of study committee determines that such coursework is necessary to prepare for the Ph.D.

All Ph.D. students are required to take COMS 7000 Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Pedagogy; COMS 7001 Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Scholarly Writing; COMS 7020-7030, Integrated Theory in Communication Studies; and, COMS 7040-7050, Research Design and Analysis.

The Program of Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in COMS requires 62 semester hours of nondissertation credit.  To receive the degree students must have an approved program of study, successfully complete the preliminary examination, create a scholarly portfolio, and successfully complete the dissertation. This entire process is expected to take approximately four years for most students.

A maximum of 8 semester hours of post-master’s degree graduate credit with B or better grades may be accepted by transfer from approved institutions that offer post-master’s (doctoral-level) work. Transfer work may not be more than five years old and must be acceptable to the student’s advisor and advisory committee, the school’s graduate committee, and approved by the Graduate College. The student’s advisory committee will have sole discretion on how transferred courses are applied to the students’ program of study. At least 46 semester hours of doctoral credit must be earned on the Ohio University campus.

Applications for admission are reviewed during January, February, and March. For an application to receive priority treatment (i.e., to be among the files receiving initial consideration with respect to both entry and financial assistance), the file should be complete no later than January 15. International applicants are strongly urged to send all materials in by December 15, as their applications take longer to process. Applications received after January 15 are at a significant disadvantage in the evaluation process. Applicants for the PhD program should begin the application process by visiting http://www.coms.ohiou.edu/applying-to-the-program.

Students with a strong background in communication studies or related disciplines are eligible to be selected as graduate assistants. Graduate assistants serve as instructors in basic courses, assist in teaching advanced courses, help with the forensics program, and/or assist faculty with various administrative and scholarly projects. International students applying for assistantships must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before being allowed to teach; those who cannot demonstrate proficiency through testing or successful completion of university-approved coursework may be ineligible for continued funding from the School.

Admission is typically granted for the fall semester. Students wishing to begin studies at a different point during the academic year must petition the Graduate Committee for permission.