Ph.D. Timeline
Fall Semester 1
COURSES
Required:
- Media & Communication Research Methods
- Media & Communication Theory
Elective:
- Media & Communication Elective (Pedagogy encouraged)
- Selected Research Methods (if qualified)
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Try to survive.
- Realize that it is going to be stressful.
- Remember that coursework is only one component of earning a PhD.
- Develop the mindset of a researcher.
- International Graduate Student Research Conference
- AEJMC Midwinter (Deadline December)
Spring Semester 1
COURSES
Required:
- Data Analysis
- Advanced Theories
Elective:
- Selected Research Methods
- Integrated Communication
- Other Grad Elective
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Begin to solidify your research agenda.
- Prepare a conference paper to meet the April 1 AEJMC deadline.
- Learn to balance your research, your coursework and teaching (if you are)
- Work with faculty on research beyond course assignments.
- Think about TEACH program
Summer Semesters 1
COURSES
Elective:
- Outside Statistics Course
- Cognate Course
- Selected Research Methods
- COMC Grad Elective
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Take Tools Exam in June
- Continue to evolve as a researcher
- Take a short break
Fall Semester 2
COURSES
Elective:
- Selected Research Methods
- Contemporary Issues in Comm. Technology
- COMC Grad Elective
- Cognate Course
- Pedagogy (If not taken in a previous semester)
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Research, research, research.
- Plan your conference papers for the year.
- Nov. 1 ICA Deadline
Spring Semester 2
COURSES
Elective:
- Selected Research Methods
- Contemporary Issues in Comm. Technology (If not taken in a previous semester)
- COMC Grad Elective
- Cognate Course
- Integrated Communication
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- This should be your last semester of classes. You may have one or two classes left to take in the summer though.
- In March, you need to begin plans for taking your comprehensive exam.
- First, select a graduate faculty member to chair your comps committee.
- With the help of the professor, you can select the remainder of your committee, which must include one professor from outside of MCOM.
- The goal should be to take your comprehensive exams in July.
Summer Semesters 2
COURSES
Elective:
- Outside Statistics Course
- Cognate Course
- Selected Research Methods
- COMC Grad Elective
- Any coursework remaining
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Spend June prepping for your comprehensive exam.
- Plan to take the exam in July.
- During times that you are tired of studying, you should be putting together a dissertation proposal.
- When you have passed your comps, finish your dissertation proposal.
- The goal is to defend your proposal before the end of September.
- Enroll in the AEJMC job fair.
- Attend AEJMC conference.
Fall Semester 3
COURSES
- Take 9 hours of dissertation with your advisor.
- You may want to take 6 dissertation hours and 3 hours of independent study.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- Defend proposal in September.
- Secure IRB approval by Oct. 15.
- Collect data before the semester ends.
- Make campus visits for job interviews.
Spring Semester 3
COURSES
- Take 9 hours of dissertation with your advisor.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- File Intent to Graduate Form
- Write dissertation.
- If you want to graduate in May, you will need to defend by the middle of March.
- Make campus visits for job interviews.
Summer Semester 3
COURSES
- Take 3 hours of dissertation with your advisor.
OUTSIDE OF CLASS
- You will not have any opportunity for any form of funding if you have not defended your proposal before June 1.
- Finish your dissertation and defend before approximately June 20 so that you will graduate in August.
Fall Semester 4
- Begin new life as new faculty member trying to earn tenure.
- Find out that graduate school was much less stressful than getting tenure.
College of Media & Communication
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Address
Texas Tech University, Box 43082, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.6500