Best Doctorate in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs

On Campus | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,866
Out of State | $1,866

Credits to Graduate
54

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A 

AU's doctorate in communication program emphasizes the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. The three year accelerated curriculum looks at how media and technology influence and interact with democratic culture and politics. Students work towards dissertation research, building networks, and developing publishable papers from arrival. 

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, resume, master's thesis, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and official university transcripts. Several doctoral students are selected each year for full tuition remission and a graduate assistantship.

Hybrid | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $855
Out of State | $855

Credits to Graduate
36

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

CLEM's hybrid Ph.D. in rhetorics, communication, and information design emphasizes a cross-cultural and transdisciplinary curriculum through knowing, doing, and making. Required courses include rhetorics, communication and information technologies, and cultural and empirical research methods.  

Doctorates prepare to teach, conduct research, and share their findings through publications in professional journals. Applicants must submit college transcripts, a personal statement, and a portfolio of previous graduate work. A minimum GPA of 3.5 for graduate courses is required.

On Campus | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,342
Out of State | $1,342

Credits to Graduate
90

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

DU's doctorate in communication, media, and culture aims to develop innovative scholars and teachers who can share the theories and studies on social forces and communication. Topics include political communication, war and conflict, media treatment of immigration, consumer culture, social justice, and popular music and fashion. 

This Ph.D. readies graduates with research methods, including quantitative analysis, discourse analysis, network analysis, and mixed methods approaches. Prospective students should contact the office of admissions for deadlines, prerequisites, and other application details, including funded positions. 

Hybrid | Self-Paced and Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $950
Out of State | $950

Credits to Graduate
56-64

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

Regent's online Ph.D. in communication emphasizes interdisciplinary training, scholarly writing, and research in communication studies through a Christian worldview. The curriculum includes communication history, theology, and theory. The hybrid curriculum includes a one-week summer residency in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 

This doctorate in communication readies graduates for careers in education, executive leadership, media relations, market analysis, or research. Applicants must submit a five-page minimum scholarly or published writing sample along with their application. Applicants must also submit a complete academic background questionnaire.

On Campus | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Fully funded
Out of State | Fully funded

Credits to Graduate
60

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

SU's Ph.D. in mass communication emphasizes social and behavioral sciences. Students can choose from specializations in the functions and social effects of print and electronic media or on media-related institutions in society. The curriculum includes mass communication theory, research methods and statistics, and core specialization elective courses.

This fully-funded doctorate in mass communication is designed to be completed in three years. Prospective students must hold a master's degree to be considered for admission.

On Campus | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,078
Out of State | $1,441

Credits to Graduate
48

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

TU's Ph.D. in media and communication emphasizes the strong ties to the humanities and social sciences. The curriculum includes communication theory and teaching in higher education. 

This doctorate takes over four years of continuous, full-time study. Students can choose an individualized course of study that includes speaking opportunities, professional collaboration, and undergraduate teaching experience. 

Applications to Klein College of Media and Communications must include a personal statement, resume, signed recommendation letters, and standardized test scores. Interested applicants should reach out to admissions for program-specific requirements.

On Campus | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Fully Funded
Out of State | Fully Funded

Credits to Graduate
60

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

TTU's Ph.D. in media and communication explores human communication research from a social science and humanistic perspective. The curriculum includes data analysis, research methods, advanced theory, and media and communication theory. Students can choose from between 17 sub-specializations. 

This doctorate in communication is designed to be completed in three years. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, personal statement, samples of academic and professional work, reference letters, and GRE scores.

On Campus or 100% Online | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $370 on campus or $440 online
Out of State | $1,050 or $440 online

Credits to Graduate
72

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

UA's doctorate in communication and information sciences emphasizes interdisciplinary research in emergent media, health communication, and sports communication. 

Students can build an interdisciplinary plan of study or choose one of seven high-demand concentrations: advertising and public relations, publishing studies, health communication, interpersonal communication, media processes and effects, rhetoric and political discourse, or social justice and inclusion advocacy.

Applicants must submit a resume, statement of purpose, writing sample, transcripts, and three academic references. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required in the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, or an overall 3.0 GPA in a graduate or undergraduate degree program.

On Campus | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Fully Funded
Out of State | Fully Funded

Credits to Graduate
62

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

UTK's Ph.D. in communication with a concentration in information sciences combines philosophical and theoretical foundations of communication and information with quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistical design, and analysis. 

This doctoral program offers students graduate teaching associateships, usually for three years or more. 

Applicants must submit a statement of goals and recommendation letters. Admission requires GRE scores at or above the fifth percentile in verbal, quantitative, and analytical tests. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and graduate GPA of 3.5 is required.

On Campus | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Fully Funded
Out of State | Fully Funded

Credits to Graduate
90

Program Information
Program Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

UF's Ph.D. in communication connects students with doctoral faculty in research areas from AI and emerging technology to social media, sports, or strategic communication. The curriculum combines core, specialization, methodological, and supporting courses. Topics include mass communication theory, graduate-level statistics, and grant writing.  

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, official test scores, and transcripts. A GRE verbal score of 550/156 and a quantitative score of 550/146 or more are strongly preferred.

On Campus | Scheduled Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $521
Out of State | $733

Credits to Graduate
72

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

UofM's Ph.D. in communication program emphasizes curricular flexibility and supporting students to become leaders in their chosen fields. Curriculum topics include rhetorical criticism, critical discourse analysis, and communication theory. The curriculum follows a cohort model. 

Students can be admitted to this graduate program with or without a bachelor's degree. The admissions office will use multiple decision criteria, including undergraduate and graduate GPA, GRE scores, statement of purpose, writing samples, relevant employment history, and letters of recommendation.

On Campus | Scheduled Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | Fully Funded
Out of State | Fully Funded

Credits to Graduate
66 to 72

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

UMTC's Ph.D. in communication offers three tracks: critical media studies, rhetorical studies, and interpersonal and organizational communication. The curriculum includes research methods, introductory and major coursework, and thesis credits. 

Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in communications or a related field. A GPA of 3.5 is preferred. Applicants also need 15 credits in speech or communication courses in the proposed emphasis area. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, diversity statement, sample of academic writing, resume, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.

On Campus | Self-Paced Classes 

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $572
Out of State | $1,240

Credits to Graduate
57

Program Information
Program Accreditation | N/A

UofSC's Ph.D. in mass communication emphasizes one-on-one work with school faculty and collaboration. The curriculum combines core courses on communication research design, mass communication theory, and teaching media studies with mass communication electives. 

This doctorate in mass communication prepares graduates for research and teaching at the highest levels. Prospective students must hold or be completing a master's degree. Applicants need to submit transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, a written statement, a resume, and writing samples.