Graduate Program - Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Communication and Mass Communication

Application Due: December 15th
Start your application online here.
Download (.pdf) our graduate brochure to learn more about our programs and curriculum.

Graduate Students I.Ph.D. Admission Process

December 15th: Application materials are due.

A select committee will decide on a short list of applicants for whom we will help assemble a five faculty advisory committee (a Graduate School requirement for all I.Ph.D. applicants).

Required Materials:

Application materials are sent to the graduate school and must include a completed Graduate School application form, three letters or recommendation, official transcripts of completed coursework, official GRE scores, an official TOEFL score(if necessary), and a writing sample. I.Ph.D. applicants also must provide a cover letter that states:

1. The track and concentration desired (e.g. Mass Communication with a concentration in History);
2. A rationale for the applicant to pursue a degree that synthesizes these disciplines (i.e., answer “Why Mass Comm. & History?” and indicate the kind of research projects the applicant wishes to pursue, including possible topics and approaches);
3. An explanation of the applicant’s background in his or her major track and in the concentration.

Please contact the Graduate Coordinator as soon as you have an interest in the I.Ph.D. to help with your letter and application.

January 15th: Once advisory committees have been assembled, the full CMJ graduate faculty will decide who is admitted. Funding decisions will follow. You are responsible for monitoring the completion of your application in a timely manner.

Advisory Committee

An I.Ph.D student has a 5 faculty advisory person committee, typically consisting of 3 faculty from CMJ and 2 from his or her area of concentration. Committees are assembled before admission, under the direction of the CMJ graduate coordinator. A student may change his or her committee membership with the advice and consent of his or her advisor.

I.Ph.D. Program Requirements

Graduate Students A student must take a minimum of 90 hours of graduate coursework (including his or her Masters degree), with at least 60 hours beyond the Masters. At least 48 of those 90 hours must be in primary Communication or Mass Communication graduate courses, and at least 18 hours must be in an external concentration area. Across the major and concentration, students are also required to take a minimum of 12-15 credit hours each in appropriate theory and methods coursework, to complete a comprehensive examination, and to write a dissertation that draws on and synthesizes the program coursework.

There are two ways to break down the credit hours for your I.Ph.D. One way is by major and concentration. Note that the 66 minimum hours of coursework includes up to 30 hours from your MA degree.

Coursework by Degree & Discipline

The second way to break down the credit hours for the I.Ph.D. is by course type. Note that students are required to take an appropriate number of theory and methods courses in their concentration so as to be conversant and competent in the forms of research particular to that concentration. The student’s advisory committee will help determine what “appropriate” means in his or her case.

Coursework by Course Type

You can view a sample program of study here.

Doctoral Concentrations

English — The English Department has a substantial graduate program that offers specializations in Composition/Pedagogy, Gender & Literature, Poetry & Poetics, and Creative Writing.

Disability Studies — The Graduate Interdisciplinary Concentration in Disability Studies provides the opportunity for advanced study of theory, research, policy, and practice relevant to the lives of individuals and groups with disabilities.

History — The History Department offers both an M.A. and a Ph.D. Communication and Mass Communication students may develop a concentration in geographic areas such American, Asian, Canadian, European, or Latin American history, and they may develop a topical concentration.

Psychology — The Psychology Department offers programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in three broad areas: clinical psychology, developmental psychology and psycho-logical sciences. Students may blend areas as well.

Women’s Studies — The Women’s Studies Program offers a graduate concentration designed to enhance masters and doctoral programs. Students are mentored toward a richer understanding of the social construction of gender and its influence on women’s roles, contributions, and experiences.

More . . . the Department of Communication & Journalism is developing additional graduate concentrations, please inquire about your area of interest.

Questions about our graduate programs?

Please contact:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Communication and Journalism
5724 Dunn Hall, Room 420
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469

E-mail: comgrad@maine.edu

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