Media and Communication, PhD

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The PhD program allows for students to emphasize in one of the following areas of emphasis: Critical Media Studies & Rhetoric, Interpersonal Communication, and Media Audiences & Processes. Students who take part in the PhD program will work along world-class research faculty in the recently renovated Kuhlin Center.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students in Media and Communication are expected to be able to:

Evaluate the history of the field of media & communication, research methods either in quantitative or qualitative approaches for conducting academic research, and important theories related to Media & Communication.
Select research methods appropriate to test theories and communicate these results to professional audiences in academic venues.
Create original knowledge in the field and integrate knowledge of the emphasis area, the research method methodology, and theory in the field in dissertation research.

Admission Requirements

Three Letters of Recommendation
Professional Resume - Students applying to the PhD program are required to provide a curriculum vitae.
Quantitative Reasoning Writing Example (if pursuing quantitative research in the program) such as research reports, data analysis in English or statistics and research method course work description
Statement of Purpose

Statement of Purpose Checklist:
1. Short personal introduction (no more than one page)
2. Why interested in pursuing a PhD program in Media & Communication and why chose BGSU
3. What challenges do you expect in studying for a PhD program and your preparation for it
4. Description of courses taken that are related to the study in the graduate program
5. Relate your purpose of study to ONE of the three emphasis areas of study in BGSU Media and Communication on the Web site (Media Audiences & Processes, Interpersonal Communication or Critical Media & Rhetoric)
6. Prior research, teaching and work experience that you think will benefit your study and qualify for assistantship in the program
7. Specify BGSU faculty of interest (can be more than one) and why interested in working with them
8. If non-communication related majors, explain why interest in studying communication and how past academic background can help in the study of communication

Please see https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/media-and-communication/graduate/application-information.html for details.

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement.

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (18 credits)

Alternate methods courses can be taken, but they must be approved by the graduate program committee.

Electives (30 credits)

Emphasis Courses (15 credits) Select from one of the three areas of emphasis in Media & Communication
Elective Media & Communication courses or approved cognate area outside Media & Communication (15 credits)

Other Requirements

The preliminary examination, administered at or near the completion of coursework, consists of written examinations taken at home for a span of one-week time period.
A maximum of 12 credits may be taken outside the School of Media & Communication; 15 credits if the student is enrolled in a certificate program.
A maximum of 6 credits of readings, internship, or workshop may be counted toward the degree, if deemed to fit into one of the above categories.
No 5000-level courses may be applied toward doctoral degree requirements.

Culminating Experience (16 credits)

MC 7990 - Dissertation Research

Minimum Total Credits (64 credits)

Additional Requirements

Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Preliminary Examination or Project
Minimum of 16 credits of dissertation research (maximum of 30 credits of dissertation research are applicable to degree requirements)
Dissertation Defense and Publication of Manuscript on OhioLINK
All requirements must be completed within eight years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.