Knowing the best PhDs in Communication to help you advance your career is a smart place to start. This is especially because a doctorate is the highest form of academic achievement. It encourages you to practice critical thinking and come up with creative solutions needed for higher-level roles. In this article, we’ll go through the top universities offering communication PhD programs and the high-paying communication jobs you can get once you complete your degree.
What is a PhD in Communication?
A PhD in Communication is a social science degree program that requires extensive research on communication processes and outcomes. It provides students with advanced training in media and cultural analysis. Students of this doctoral degree learn to ask important questions about different communication issues and address them in their research problems.
How to Get Into a Communication PhD Program: Admission Requirements
The requirements to get into a communication PhD program are a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Communication or related fields, official transcripts, and a minimum GPA score, specified by the school. Applicants are also required to provide a statement of purpose, academic writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Some schools require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
PhD in Communication Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Communication or related fields
- Official transcripts
- Minimum GPA
- GRE Score
- Statement of purpose/interest
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic writing samples
Communication PhD Acceptance Rates: How Hard Is It to Get Into a PhD Program in Communication?
It’s hard to get into a PhD program in communication. For example, in 2020, University of Washington received 140 applications from graduate students but only 14 were offered admission.
How to Get Into the Best Universities
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Best PhDs in Communication: In Brief
| School | Program | Online Option |
|---|---|---|
| American University | PhD in Communication | Yes |
| Clemson University | PhD in Rhetoric, Communication, and Information Design | Yes |
| Drexel University | PhD in Communication, Culture & Media | No |
| George Mason University | PhD in Communication | No |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | PhD in Media and Communication Studies | Yes |
| Michigan State University | PhD in Communication | No |
| North Dakota State University | PhD in Communication | Yes |
| Syracuse University | PhD in Mass Communication | No |
| Rutgers University | PhD in Communication, Information and Media | No |
| Temple University | PhD in Media and Communication | No |
Best Universities for Communication PhDs: Where to Get a PhD in Communication
In this section, we list the best universities for communication PhDs. We also provide an overview of the best PhD in Communication programs and the requirements for admission.
Can You Get a PhD in Communication Online?
Yes, you can get a PhD in Communication online. As the world is going digital, there are a few prestigious universities already offering online communication PhD programs. We list a few of these universities below.
Best Online PhD Programs in Communication
| School | Program | Length |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State University | Online PhD in Communication | 4 years |
| Liberty University | Online PhD in Communication Studies | 8 weeks |
| Regent University | Online PhD in Communication | 2 years |
| Robert Morris University | Online PhD in Information Systems and Communications | 3 years |
| Texas Tech University | Online PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric | 3 years |
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Communication?
It takes four to seven years to get a PhD in Communication. It’s a multidisciplinary field of study that attempts to understand human communication with social, cultural, economic, and political institutions. Thus, the program requires sufficient time for in-depth study and research.
The curriculum is split into four phases. In the first year, students learn the foundations of communication studies. Then, they are introduced to three to six core classes. After completing core classes, students continue with specialization coursework. In the last stage, students set up a committee to work on their dissertations, and they also get ready for the qualifying exams.
Is a PhD in Communication Hard?
Yes, a PhD in Communication is hard because you’ll have rigorous research experience. The program aims to prepare you for a career as a professor, teacher, researcher, or administrator.
A communications PhD means that you can have a significant impact on the real world by conducting meaningful research. It also means that you’re open to a multitude of career options.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a PhD in Communication?
It costs an average of $19,314 per year to get a PhD in Communication. Tuition costs differ between public and private universities, as well as for in-state and out-of-state residents. Public universities are estimated to have $12,171 for graduate tuition while attending private universities costs $25,929.
How to Pay For a PhD in Communication: PhD Funding Options
The PhD funding options that students can use to pay for the best PhD in Communication programs include scholarships, graduate assistantships, and tuition waivers. Students may also apply for student research funding, grants, and fellowship programs.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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What is the Difference Between a Communication Master’s Degree and PhD?
The difference between a communication master’s degree and a PhD is research extensiveness. A master’s degree in communication is for professionals who want to advance their careers by learning more about principles, theories, and strategies in communication.
A communication PhD equips students with advanced knowledge and communication skills needed to conduct academic research. The aim of the research is to solve questions around communication. It also prepares them for professional and leadership roles in journalism, advertising, corporate communication, and government and non-profit organizations.
Master’s vs PhD in Communication Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment with a master’s degree in communication is expected to grow by nearly 17 percent from 2016 to 2026. This is the fastest of all education levels. Employment with a PhD in Communication is expected to grow by about 13 percent, which is faster than the seven percent average for all occupations.
Difference in Salary for Communication Master’s vs PhD
The difference in salary between a Communication Master’s and PhD program is around $7,000 per year. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Master’s in Communication is $67,000 per year. In comparison, the average salary for a PhD in Communication is $74,000 per year.
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Why You Should Get a PhD in Communication
You should get a PhD in Communication because it gives you advanced training and broader knowledge of the communication field. A doctorate degree is the highest academic qualification, and having this degree helps you secure top positions in a company, organization, or industry. Listed below are four reasons you should get a PhD in Communication.
Reasons for Getting a PhD in Communication
- You become more knowledgeable. Getting a Doctoral Degree in Communication makes you more knowledgeable, and this knowledge grants you access to higher places. Through research, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of communication and its important role in organizations and society.
- You acquire specialization. With a PhD in Communication, you get to choose a communication area where you want to specialize. Through your dissertation and scholarly work, you can establish yourself as an expert in your chosen specialization.
- You have access to diverse job opportunities. As a PhD student, you have access to teaching opportunities as a professor in an educational institution. You can also build your career in entertainment, journalism, advertising, and marketing.
- You earn more money. A communication PhD degree provides you with valuable knowledge, which leads to firms, institutions, and organizations offering you high-paying jobs. According to PayScale, a person with a Doctorate in Communication receives $74,000 per year on average.
Getting a PhD in Communication: Communication PhD Coursework
To succeed in getting the best PhD in Communication, you need to make the academic process leading up to securing the graduate degree. That is what the communication PhD coursework focuses on. Discussed below are some of the courses required for a PhD in Communication.
Communication Theory
This course introduces students to theory testing and theoretical development in communication. It also teaches students the fundamentals of theory in communication and social science.
Introduction to Communication Research
This course provides an overview of the concepts, methods, and tools by which communication research is designed, conducted, interpreted, and carefully evaluated. It helps students develop skills in collating, organizing, interpreting, and disseminating research information.
Language and Social Interaction
This course studies how language is used for interaction and negotiation in our daily lives. It urges students to carry out critical research and analyze data obtained from different studies and related literature.
Media Effects
This course brings into focus the social and psychological effects of media content and technology on users. It studies the effects of media by evaluating people’s responses to media content through experiments, surveys, and content evaluation.
Political Communication
This course focuses on the role that communication plays in politics, giving students access to political research materials. Topics in this course help them develop an original research piece in the field of politics.
Best Master’s Degrees
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How to Get a PhD in Communication: Doctoral Program Requirements
Getting a PhD in Communication is hard but viable. With the right training and coursework, you’re on your way to obtaining that degree. Discussed below are the steps you’ll need to take to get a PhD in Communication.
Potential Careers with a PhD in Communication
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PhD in Communication Salary and Job Outlook
Following the completion of your communication PhD is the question of what you can do with the degree. In this section, we’ll go through the high-paying jobs, job outlook, and salaries for PhD in Communication roles.
What Can You Do With a PhD In Communication?
A communication PhD means that you have access to career paths in various communication areas, such as journalism, digital media, advertising, and marketing. You can get roles in news broadcast organizations and government agencies.
Best Jobs with a PhD in Communication
- Information Security Officer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising/Promotion Director
- Technical Writer
- Business Reporter
What Is the Average Salary for a PhD in Communication?
The average salary for a PhD in Communication is $74,000 per year. This may change depending on the role. It may also vary depending on the experience level that’s required for the job.
Highest-Paying Jobs for PhD Grads
| Communication PhD Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $135,030 |
| Human Resources Manager | $126,230 |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | $119,860 |
| Technical Writers | $78,060 |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,920 |
Best Communication Jobs with a Doctorate
The best jobs for people with a Doctorate in Communication are typically rewarding and high-paying jobs. Below, we provide more information about these high-paying careers, their average salaries, and their highest-paying states.
Is a PhD in Communication Worth It?
Yes, a PhD in Communication is worth it, as it allows you to specialize in areas such as market research, technical writing, public relations management, and human resources management. It gives you a competitive advantage in the job market, allowing you to be an expert in any field of communication.
Earning a doctorate degree is worth it, as it grants you access to rewarding careers with benefits, such as a very high income and credibility in your chosen profession.
Additional Reading About Communication
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PhD in Communication FAQs
Yes, you can get a PhD in Communication part tine. If you’re looking to get an advanced degree while pursuing a career outside school, there are select universities that allow students to obtain a PhD in Communication with their part-time program.
GRE is an abbreviation for Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardized test that students must take prior to enrollment in a graduate degree program.
Yes, you can get a PhD in Mass Communication. It’s an advanced level of communication study. The program prepares students for academic, teaching, and research professions in media-related fields such as public relations, journalism, advertising, and mass media.
Yes, there are other communication graduate programs. You can get a Master’s Degree in Communication to examine how humans create and share information, both at interpersonal communication and organizational level. The types of communication master’s degrees include Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Commerce (MComm).
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