2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Communication, PhD


Banner Code: LA-PHD-COM

Web: communication.gmu.edu

The doctor of philosophy degree in communication at Mason examines the powerful roles performed by communication in contemporary society. The program has two major areas of emphasis: health and strategic communication.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Communication. 

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies   chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements


Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission chapter of this catalog. Applicants to the PhD in communication must already have earned a master’s degree in a relevant field.

For information specific to the PhD in communication, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

Reduction of Credit


Students must have a master’s degree before being admitted to the PhD in communication. Most students receive a reduction of study of 30 credits based on their previous master’s degree.

Degree Requirements


To receive the PhD in communication, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits beyond the master’s degree, including core courses in theory and research methods, course work in substantive fields of study, and a research practicum. Following completion of all required course work, students must pass a written qualifying examination and an oral defense of it, after which they are advanced to candidacy by the dean and complete a dissertation, an original and independent research project.

If specific requirements are waived, students must complete substitutions, which are recorded on their Program of Study. All substitutions to degree requirements must be approved by the graduate committee.

Four theory courses (12 credits)


Three research methods courses (9 credits)


One required methods course


One qualitative methods course


Students may take COMM 725  or another course at 700-level or above as approved by the graduate committee.

One additional research methods course at the 700-level or above


This course should be chosen to help prepare for the dissertation and must be approved by the graduate committee.

Six courses (18 credits) in one of the following substantive fields of study:


Health communication:


Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen with approval of the advisor and director

Strategic communication:


Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen with approval of the advisor and director

One research practicum (3 credits) chosen from:


Dissertation (18 credits)


Once enrolled in 998, students in this degree program must maintain continuous registration for at least 1 credit. Once enrolled in 999, student must maintain continuous registration each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Libraries. Once enrolled in 999, students must follow the university’s continuous registration policy as specified in the Academic Policies  chapter of the catalog. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of 999.

Students may apply to this degree a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits of 998 and a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 credits of 999. They may apply a maximum of 18 dissertation credits (998 and 999 combined) to the degree. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.

Total: 90 credits


Advancement to Candidacy


To advance to candidacy, students must complete all course work required on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully pass a written qualifying exam and an oral qualifying exam. In addition, students must have a dissertation committee appointed by the Dean’s Office as well as an approved proposal. Evidence of the approved proposal must be on file in the Dean’s Office before a student can advance to candidacy.