Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD
Audience Research, Broadcasting, Criticism, Cultural Studies, Journalist, Professor, Qualitative, Quantitative Reasoning, Research, Strategic Media, Technology, Television, cronkite, digital, law
If you are interested in a deeper examination of the role and influence of media and media technologies in today's increasingly complex world, this program can help you become a thought leader or educator in the fields of journalism, strategic communication and global mass communication.
The PhD program in journalism and mass communication at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a highly individualized program that attracts seasoned media professionals transitioning to academia, as well as recent graduates of master's degree-level programs in journalism and communication, social and behavioral sciences, or the humanities.
Students have access to the resources, training and mentorship they need to answer critical questions that challenge the fields of journalism, digital and social media, strategic communication and audience studies, and global mass communication.
The program is designed around core values of inclusion, collaboration and mentoring, transdisciplinarity and original research.
Students are able to develop individual programs of study, taking coursework and drawing on knowledge and methodologies from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication. Examples include political science, film, computer and data sciences, sociology, anthropology and more.
Within the Cronkite School, students work closely with faculty mentors and fellow students on collaborative projects, develop their own research programs, and benefit from the advice and examples of senior scholars for personalized guidance.
The ultimate goal of the program is to train scholars capable of identifying key questions, designing appropriate studies to investigate those questions, and conducting independent and impactful research. Students are exposed to a wide range of theories and methods so they can forge their own scholarly identity based on interests and aptitudes.
The Cronkite School is committed to creating an environment in which everyone feels they are represented, their experience is equitable, they are fully accepted for who they are and they are valued. The school strives daily to be a welcoming place for all members of the community, where the importance and contribution of each individual is valued and respected.
- College/school:
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (18 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Other Requirements (24 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Dissertation (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students entering the program with a master's degree in journalism or mass communication or a related field must complete 60 credit hours of coursework. Students who are admitted to the program without a master's degree are required to complete an additional 24 credit hours of coursework.
previous master's degree or additional hours approved by the supervisory committee (24)
Students should see the academic unit for an approved course list.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- three letters of recommendation
- personal statement of interest
- statement of research goals
- resume
- samples of scholarly work (optional)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. TOEFL scores must be at least 100 on the internet-based test; a Duolingo score must be at least 120.
The personal statement of interest should be approximately 1,000--1,500 words and explain why the student wants to pursue a doctorate in mass communication as well as why the Cronkite School program fits their career and personal aims.
The statement of research goals should indicate at least two Cronkite research faculty members with whom the student would like to work, supported by relevant citations of the faculty members' scholarly publications.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms. Applicants must meet all deadlines and application requirements to be considered.
The Cronkite School's doctoral committee reviews complete applications. Recommendations for admission are made to Graduate Admission Services, where the final admission decisions are made.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
The Cronkite doctorate program is multicultural, with students and alumni hailing from all over the world and bringing their experiences into seminar discussions and research. There are also opportunities to work on international grant-funded research projects led by Cronkite faculty to broaden students' perspective on issues within the discipline. More information on available programs can be found on the Global Education Office website.
Graduates with a doctorate in journalism and mass communication are prepared for any of a number of career opportunities.
Professionals with expertise in mass media and communications are in high demand as universities and institutions train the next generation of media professionals. Career examples include:
- industry researcher or trainer
- media analyst
- media consultant
- university professor
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 302
cronkitegrad@asu.edu
602-496-5555
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
