Communication, Culture and Media PhD

Major: Communication, Culture and Media
Degrees Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0 (post-bachelor's) or 45.0 (post-master's)
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0102
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1122

About the Program

The PhD program in Communication, Culture and Media develops innovative scholar-teachers who know how to impart theories and studies on the interaction of social forces and communication. Our graduates are trained as committed researchers in quantitative and qualitative approaches to communication study. The program also encourages interdisciplinary approaches to the study of communication and media through faculty strengths in anthropology, communication, linguistics, and sociology.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the Communication, Culture and Media web page.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the PhD program will be evaluated by the CCM Admissions Committee for acceptance into the program. Prospective students must submit with their application:

• A statement of purpose, up to 1500 words, explaining interest in the CCM program. This should include a description of research interests and major theoretical influences, and information on previous research experience, if any. The statement should explain why the CCM program foci and faculty expertise match the applicant’s specific interests. If the previous degree(s) obtained is not in communication, it is important to explain here what influenced the decision to pursue communication and media studies.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae
• Transcripts of all college-level coursework demonstrating completion of a BA/BS at minimum
• A writing sample (essay, paper, thesis, article, or capstone project) that demonstrates proficiency in description and analysis, and in developing and defending new ideas about a topic. The sample can review and rework a previously submitted paper or write something completely new. The sample does not need to be communication- or media-related, but it should be an example of the applicant’s best work. The applicant must be the sample’s sole author.
• For international students where English is not the official language, a TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) or IELTS Overall Band Score of 7.0. For more information regarding international applicant requirements, view the International Students Admissions Information page.

GRE scores are optional. If the applicant chooses to submit them, results will be evaluated based on performance in the Analytical Writing and Verbal Reasoning sections. The Admissions Committee will consider all application materials, with or without GRE scores. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials that provide clear evidence of their aptitude for graduate study.

Additional Information

For more information on how to apply, visit the Drexel University Requirements for Admissions page.

Degree Requirements

The PhD coursework is structured around a set of required core courses, a set of required seminars with rotating topics, and electives in graduate communication lecture courses, independent study work, and dissertation credit.

All students in the program take five common core courses. They then take no less than four courses chosen from CCM 800-level seminar offerings. Students are encouraged to take additional seminars after meeting that requirement since seminar courses enable collaborative relationships with professors and introduce students to the scholarly community. In addition to coursework, students will be assigned required teaching and research duties in the fall, winter, and spring terms.

Qualifying Examinations

All students are required to take a qualifying examination, usually at the end of spring of their second year, depending on whether they enter with a master's or bachelor's degree. The qualifying exam includes three parts: theory, methods, and a content area. Students will be given the grade of fail, pass, or high pass on the exam. A grade of pass in all three sections of the exam will be required to qualify for the PhD. 

Dissertation Defense

Students should defend the dissertation and graduate towards the end of their fourth or fifth year, depending on whether they entered the program with a master's degree.

Visit the Communication, Culture, and Media website for more information.

Program Requirements

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There are five categories of seminar: one in which students learn advanced work and influences on a specific theorist or theoretical school; one in which students learn about theories of language, discourse and the sign; one that teaches the paradigm of structural dynamics central to social sciences theory and research; one in which students study a research methods approach; and one that deals with approaches to research ethics. Seminars can be repeated, with a maximum of three courses taken in each area, as long as the subject covered is different each time.

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Elective credits may be chosen from CCM courses at the 500-800 level, including 800-level seminars that are a different topic from earlier courses taken. Students may take up to 6.0 graduate-level credits outside of the Communication, Culture and Media program rubric with approval of the program director.

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For the dissertation, students work with a principal advisor, one of the Communication, Culture and Media Program graduate faculty and no less than two additional faculty from within the department. Students must find one additional outside reader, and students may bring in up to two outside readers. 

Sample Plan of Study

Students entering the program with a master’s degree or with some graduate credit will be evaluated by the Graduate Committee as to how many of their courses could possibly be counted toward the PhD. Students entering with an MS in an appropriate field are required by the university to take a minimum of 15.0 credit hours in the PhD program before being eligible to take qualifying exams.

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Students continue to register for 9.0 credits of CCM 998 each Fall, Winter, and Spring Term until the completion of program requirements, including successful defense of the dissertation.

Program Level Outcomes

• Knowledge of how graduate-level research in Communication, Culture and Media is carried out.
• Knowledge and skills to critically assess a research project in Communication, Culture and Media, and the ability to ask questions that go beyond the work's stated conclusions
• Graduate level understanding of theories to explain and define issues in social media, mass media, convergence, and agency and social change that pertain to Communication, Culture and Media.
• Knowledge and skills to demonstrate their own interest in and capability of pursuing doctoral level study in Communication, Media Studies or other Social Science.
• Demonstrated understanding at the graduate level of how local and global culture affects, shapes, and alters individuals and societies.
• Knowledge and skills to plan and carry out an extended original research project as demonstrated through the successful completion and defense of a doctoral dissertation.

Communication, Culture and Media Faculty