See masters/doctoral programs at www.scrippsjschool.org

The Ph.D. program in Mass Communication is offered jointly by the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the School of Media Arts and Studies. It draws on the traditional strengths and emerging specialties of each school and an experienced research faculty with national and international reputations. Faculty from both schools edit academic journals, write books and scholarly articles, and present their research at the major national and international conferences in the field.

For students preparing for careers in teaching and mass communication research, the program provides a rigorous theoretical and methodological education and the opportunity to gain teaching experience and work with faculty mentors on research projects. Admission and funding are highly competitive, with only 4-8 students admitted to each school a year.

Doctoral students in journalism take a series of courses in theory, research and methodology, and select two concentration areas designed to fit their individual professional and research interests. Examples of areas are: international communication, history and philosophy of communication, communication law, communication theory and research, media and public policy, new media, economies and media management, and visual communication.

Journalism faculty and doctoral students conduct quantitative and qualitative research in varied areas, with significant strengths in the history of mass communication, new and alternative media, international journalism research methodology, media ethics, and performance by news media of their roles in society.

Doctoral students in Media Arts and Studies take a series of courses in theory, research and methodology and select a concentration in international media, new technology and culture, media management and policy, or media studies. Media and Arts Studies faculty and doctoral students conduct research using a range of approaches, including quantitative, qualitative, and critical/cultural. Significant scholarship focuses on such areas as political and social impacts of media technologies, children and media, digital games, international and cross-cultural studies, and development communication.

Before applying, please consult the websites for both schools to decide which program best suits your interests. On your Ohio University application, select one of the two programs – Journalism or Media Arts and Studies.

The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. are 90 hours. Journalism Ph.D. students may transfer up to 33 credits of graduate level work not including thesis or internship hours. The 90-credit total includes: a minimum of 37 credit hours (not including dissertation) in Journalism and Media Arts and Studies, with a minimum of two courses at the 7000 or 8000 level in Media Arts and Studies; at least 12 hours in an area outside the Scripps College of Communication; and 10 hours for the dissertation. Research tools courses (two in journalism) are also required but do not count toward the 90-credit total. Courses selected in consultation with the student’s doctoral program committee make up the remaining hours.

Please consult the schools’ websites for the current application deadlines. Graduate assistantships, which consist of a stipend and a full tuition scholarship, are available on a competitive basis; students may be assigned to teaching, research or administrative work.