Guidelines for
Ph.D. in Media & Communication
Students seeking the Doctor of Philosophy in Media & Communication at Texas Tech University must follow the guidelines in the Catalog of the Graduate School. Specific guidelines of the College of Media & Communication are described here. Use these guidelines to assist your application, to determine requirements and to monitor your progress through the program.
The Purpose |
A person with a Doctor of Philosophy is a steward of the discipline. He or she is responsible for the creation and transfer of knowledge. The Ph.D. qualifies people to conduct independent research and thereby to contribute to the creation of new knowledge in the field. It is also usually a qualification for a university professorial position. It also prepares graduates for research positions in mass media. The specific goals of Ph.D. study are: |
The Ph.D. in Media & Communication |
The Ph.D. in Media & Communication at Texas Tech focuses on the integration of different approaches to the study of Media & Communication and of all media of Media & Communication. While coursework may concentrate in the areas of advertising, electronic media, journalism or public relations, each student is required to acquire at least some background in all areas of Media & Communication and some familiarity with all media of Media & Communication. You will be required to take at least one course in Integrated Media Campaigns and one in Communications Technology. Many other courses in the curriculum incorporate concepts relevant to integrated communications. In addition to courses in mass communications you will be required to incorporate a minor or cognate area of study into your program. In addition, our program requires that graduate instructors take at least one course in Communications Pedagogy that will help prepare you to teach at the university level. All graduate students in Media & Communication are encouraged to take this course. |
Application |
All students must be accepted for study by both the Graduate College at Texas Tech and the College of Media & Communication. In addition, new students should submit the following to the College of Mass Communications: Students who are currently enrolled in the M.A. program in Media & Communication at Texas Tech must apply in order to transfer to the Ph.D. program. The admission standards for the Ph.D. program are more stringent than for the M.A., and not all M.A. students will be admitted to the Ph.D. program. All other students must apply for admission to the Ph.D. program as a new student. Students who seek selection as a graduate instructor or who seek financial assistance must submit their applications at least three months prior to the date they plan to begin classes. Applicants who have submitted all required material by March 15 will be notified of admission decisions by April first.
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Admission |
Admission to the doctoral program is based on a holistic assessment of the student’s promise for completing requirements for the doctorate and making a contribution to the field of Media & Communication. Materials reviewed include your personal statement, letters of recommendation, GPA and GRE scores. GRE scores neither insure admission nor automatically disqualify an applicant. Students who are most likely to succeed in our program will submit GRE scores above the 70th percentile and GPAs of 3.4 or higher. Also, students with professional experience or extensive internships in mass communications are most likely to succeed in our program. International students must submit TOEFL scores of at least 550. |
Curriculum |
Our doctoral degree requires 75 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree or 48 hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree. In addition, all students must complete at least 12 dissertation hours. For students who begin their Ph.D. immediately after the bachelor’s degree, the program requires a total of 87 hours - 75 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation work. The coursework must include 15 hours in a minor area outside of Media & Communication, 21 hours of core work, and 39 hours of Media & Communication electives. For those students who already have a master’s degree, the program requires a total of 60 hours --- 48 hours of courses and 12 dissertation hours. The 48 hours of coursework must include 15 hours in a minor area outside of Media & Communication, 21 hours of core work, and 12 hours of Media & Communication electives.
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Leveling Work |
Students who hold undergraduate degrees or master’s degrees in fields outside of Media & Communication and/or who do not have professional experience in Media & Communication may be required to complete prerequisite or leveling work that will not be included in the totals described above. Depending on prior coursework and experience, leveling courses may be required from either graduate or undergraduate offerings. |
Degree Plan & |
Each student must submit a degree plan no later than the end of the first year of enrollment. This plan is created in consultation with, and must be approved by, the Graduate Advisor. The plan will describe the courses that must be completed and will identify the committee and dissertation topic. Each doctoral student, upon admission, will be assigned a graduate faculty advisor. This faculty member will help you select classes and advise you on other matters. As your program progresses, you may request a change in advisor based on your academic interests.
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Curriculum Details |
Required core courses (7 courses for 21 hours) Plus39 hours of Media & Communication electives beyond the bachelor’s degree |
Program Examination |
Two examinations and a dissertation will mark your progress through the program.
The first of the examinations is a competency exam that covers mass communications theory and research methods. This exam is used to counsel students and must be taken after completing 12 hours of course work. You may be required to complete additional work in theory or research methods following this examination. The second examination is the qualifying examination, and it is taken at the end of all coursework but before beginning the dissertation. The qualifying examination covers research, theory and your minor area of study. Students who fail this examination are permitted to take it again after four months. Students who fail a second time may be dismissed from the graduate program. |
Dissertation Committee |
After completion of the qualifying examination, you will identify a dissertation committee consisting of four members of the graduate faculty. Three members must be from The College of Media & Communication and one from the student’s minor or cognate area. With the guidance of this committee you must present a dissertation proposal and, after completion of the research, defend the dissertation. |
Scholarships and Financial Aid |
Applications for many scholarships are due December 1 of each year for the following academic year. Applications for some scholarships awarded by the College of Media & Communication must be received at least six months prior to the date you will begin coursework. Scholarship awards of at least $1,000 will waive out-of-state tuition rates for domestic students. Students with this waiver are permitted to pay in-state rates. Also, students who are legal residents of Arkansas, New Mexico or Oklahoma qualify for in-state tuition if they live in counties adjacent to Texas. Students must enroll in 9 hours per semester to qualify for scholarships or assistantships. We strongly encourage students to complete the Free Application for Student Aid because as graduate students you may qualify for Grants. Please look at the Student Financial Aid Web site: www.fina.ttu.edu.
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Graduate Assistantships |
Graduate assistantships provide some financial support for superior students in good academic standing. Students who are awarded assistantships are expected to work 20 hours per week for the College of Mass Communications, are required to be full time students, and may not hold any other employment. Only doctoral students with 18 or more graduate hours in Media & Communication are qualified to serve as Graduate Part Time Instructors. Doctoral level assistants who qualify are typically assigned to teach one course each semester and to provide faculty research assistance. They may be assigned to teach two classes or to work exclusively on research. Assignments are based on student qualifications and College needs. Based on their academic and work performance, Ph.D. level assistants may be reappointed for up to six long semesters. |
More Information |
At our Web site, www.depts.ttu.edu/comc, you will find more information and applications, plus links to Texas Tech’s Graduate School Web site. For the Graduate Catalog and Course Schedule go to www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications. Please print the applications and start preparing them. After you look at the Web site, please contact the Graduate Advisor if you have questions. Coy Callison, Ph.D. |
College of Media & Communication, Box 43082, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
806.742.6500