Knowledge Bytes Online PhD in Mass Communication Admission 2024-25, Check Eligibility, Result, Entrance Exams

Online PhD in Mass Communication,Highlights, Entrance Exam, admission, Eligibility, Duration, Selection Criteria, How to Apply, Application Form, Application Process, fee, Syllabus,Salary and Jobs,career opportunities

A PhD in Mass Communication is a rigorous and research-oriented program that aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of mass communication theories, methods, and practices. This program is suitable for students who are interested in pursuing a career in academia or research, as well as for those who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of mass communication.

Highlights of Online PhD in Mass Communication:

The program is usually offered by universities or colleges and can be completed entirely online.

The course is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of mass communication, including theories and research methods.

The curriculum typically includes courses in mass communication theory, research methodology, media ethics, media law, and media management.

Students are required to conduct independent research and complete a dissertation on a topic of their choice.

The program takes around 3-5 years to complete, depending on the institution and the student's pace of study.

Eligibility for Online PhD in Mass Communication:

Candidates must have a master's degree in mass communication or a related field from a recognized university.

Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent.

Candidates must have strong research skills and demonstrate a high level of academic ability.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Entrance Exam:

Many universities require candidates to take an entrance exam, which may include a written test and an interview.

The entrance exam may also test the candidate's knowledge in mass communication theories and research methods.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Admission and Selection Criteria:

Candidates are selected based on their academic performance, research experience, and potential for scholarly contribution to the field of mass communication.

Candidates may be required to submit letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample.

Some universities may also require candidates to complete an interview or a research proposal.

Online PhD in Mass Communication How to Apply:

Candidates can apply to universities that offer an online PhD in Mass Communication by submitting an online application form.

The application form may require candidates to provide personal and academic information, as well as supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Application Process:

Candidates should research the requirements and application deadlines for the universities they are interested in before submitting an application.

Candidates should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and provide all required documents.

Candidates should follow the instructions provided by the university for submitting the application form and supporting documents.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Fee:

The fee for an online PhD in Mass Communication varies depending on the institution.

Candidates should research the fee structure of the universities they are interested in before applying.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Syllabus:

The syllabus for an online PhD in Mass Communication may vary depending on the institution.

The curriculum typically includes courses in mass communication theory, research methodology, media ethics, media law, and media management.

The syllabus may also include specialized courses in areas such as journalism, public relations, advertising, and digital media.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Salary and Jobs:

The salary and job opportunities for graduates of an online PhD in Mass Communication vary depending on the industry and the job role.

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in academia, research, media organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

The average salary for a professor of communication is around $70,000 per year, while the average salary for a media manager is around $60,000 per year.

Online PhD in Mass Communication Career Opportunities:

Academia: Graduates of an online PhD in Mass Communication can pursue careers as professors or researchers in universities and colleges.

Media Organizations: Graduates can work in media organizations as editors, journalists, producers, or media managers.

Government Agencies: Graduates can work in government agencies as media analysts, communication specialists, or public relations officers.

Non-Profit Organizations: Graduates can work in non-profit organizations as communication managers, development directors, or public relations specialists.

ONLINE PhD IN MASS COMMUNICATION

Mass communication(s) is a broad field, spanning traditional media to the contemporary, technology-driven new media (e.g. web and social media). At its core, mass communication is the messaging that is created for, delivered to and consumed by large audiences. A comprehensive academic discipline, the study of mass communication considers the function and effects of the media in its various forms and how it is shaped by and impacts social, cultural, political, and social institutions.

Whether it is the study of how media influences social activities and trends or how consumer behavior informs advertising methods, doctoral-level studies in mass communication integrate communications theory, research methods, and critical analysis. The Ph.D. in mass communication prepares candidates to become academics, teachers, and researchers, but may also offer them pathways to careers in the media-related industries, such as public relations, journalism, advertising, and mass media.

Admissions Information for PhD in Mass Communication Programs

Candidates to doctoral programs in mass communication are usually expected to have a demonstrated interest in communication research by completing a master’s degree in communications or a related field. However, depending on the communication research specializations (e.g. science, politics), some programs may accept students with a graduate degree in other fields, such as biology or political science. Candidates should note that some PhD programs require applicants to have completed the thesis as part of their master’s program as opposed to an applied project or passing comprehensive exams.

There are some PhD programs in mass communication that accept post-baccalaureate students without a master’s degree. However, these programs are not as common as the traditional PhD programs in mass communication that require a master’s degree for admission. Programs that admit students with only a bachelor’s degree typically require applicants to enroll in a master’s-level curricula plan, comprised of master’s level courses that the students would have taken had they completed a master’s degree in mass communication. Once they complete this foundational coursework, students take the qualifying examination to gain entrance into the doctoral program. If they fail that examination, students earn a master’s degree and exit the communications program.

Although admission requirements vary, most mass communications programs share common admission elements, including the following: 

• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced degree (bachelor’s degree for schools that offer the post-baccalaureate PhD program)
• Minimum GPA requirements (typically a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale) in the master’s-level study
• Statement of purpose or personal essay
• GRE scores (typically within the past four to the five years)
• Official transcripts
• CV or resume
• Letters of recommendation (usually three letters)
• TOEFL or IELTS, if international
• Academic writing sample. 

COURSES:

The list below highlights example courses students may encounter while completing the PhD in mass communication. 

• Quantitative Methodology: An advanced examination of the research methodologies, statistical software, and analysis used in the social sciences, including experiments and surveys.
• Classical Rhetorical Theory: The study of the historical rhetorical theory, covering the major historical figures of antiquity (e.g. Plato, Aristotle) and later influences (e.g. St. Augustine).
• Communication Theory: A review of the communication theory’s role across communication research, including how theoretical concepts shape and inform research in the different domains, such as mass, intercultural, and health communications.
• Teaching Communication: An overview of educational best practices in communication education, teaching candidates how to design syllabi, master in-classroom instructional techniques, and conduct grading assessments.
• Analysis of Mass Media: An introduction to the various literary, sociological, cultural, and historical methods used to analyze media, including an assessment of how various communication theories have be influenced modern media.
• New Media Technology: The study of emerging communication forms (e.g. social media and the internet), exploring how they are shaping the economic, social, cultural and political dimensions of the contemporary media. 

Through their PhD programs, students can specialize their academic studies in the diverse areas, such as the following: 

• Advertising and marketing
• Civic and political communications
• Health and environmental communication
• Information technology
• Intercultural or international communication
• Journalism studies
• Media law and ethics
• Public relation
• Sports and media 

TOP UNIVERSITIES:

• The University of Iowa
• University of Minnesota
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Georgia
• University of Southern Mississippi