PhD Program in Communication School of Communication American University

Expansions and Renovations Contribute to the Reputation of American University School of Communication

Located in Washington, D.C., American University (AU) School of Communication (SOC) offers degree-granting programs to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in fields related to media, journalism, public and political communication, film and media arts, and international media. A certificate program in digital media skills is also available. AU School of Communication serves approximately 900 undergraduate and 300 graduate students and has approximately 50 full-time faculty positions.

As communication becomes more prevalent and relevant in twenty-first century society, SOC continues to grow. The school is planning a $20 million renovation project to its main building, and other expansions are taking place across American University. These improvements build on the reputation that SOC enjoys as a top institution for the study of communication-related fields. Location, position, programs, and professors all provide an advantage in educating and preparing leaders for careers in public service.

SOC offers a PhD program in Communication

SOC is dedicated to educating the next generation of communication scholars, professors, leaders, and practitioners for the Digital Age. It fosters scholarship that builds new theory and knowledge, and enhances the ability of institutions, social groups, and professionals to apply that knowledge to undertake salient political and social challenges. Courses will cover a wide spectrum of issues -- addressing the cultural, technological, economic, and policy forces shaping the media system, and emphasizing the role of new media in civil society and democracy, a theme consistent with the core public service mission of American University. With an interdisciplinary course of study solidly rooted in contemporary communications knowledge, theory, research methods, and principles, the program draws from the diverse intellectual resources across the graduate curricula at American University.

The PhD program at American University provides graduate students with knowledge and expertise in the major theories and methodologies of the field. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to create an individualized program of electives. Courses will include communication classes as well as courses from other units on campus, organized around the student's choice of the following thematic concentrations: media, public issues, and engagement; media industries and institutions; or media, technology, and culture.

A renowned and well-connected faculty prepares students for tenure-track faculty positions at institutions of higher education in communication, media studies, public relations, journalism, film and media arts, and related fields. Students will also gain the advanced qualifications for work in public policy, research, communication, marketing, and production positions at media, nonprofit, advocacy, government, and industry organizations.

Washington, D.C., Is One of the World's Media Capitals, an Advantage for SOC Students

One of the notable distinctions of AU School of Communication is its Washington, D.C., location. The school prides itself on being located in one of the media capitals of the world. Each of SOC's programs of study is designed to take full advantage of the city, and accordingly focus on public affairs and public service. SOC takes advantage of urban Washington, D.C. while being located in a residential area of the city. The beautifully landscaped campus has been declared an arboretum.

Cultural Institutions and International Media Organizations Surround the SOC Campus

In addition to being a center of media and government, Washington, D.C., has a rich cultural heritage. It is home to the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Library of Congress. Access to these resources and strategic partnerships with leading local media organizations such as NBC, CBS, Gannett, Inc and the Newseum has helped SOC students supplement their education. There are many professional and internship opportunities available to SOC students; students have worked on the Hill, at lobbying associations, with political communication strategists and campaign executives, all while attending school.

SOC Offers Six Full-Time Graduate Programs in Communication, an Online Graduate Certificate Program and a Doctoral Program

AU School of Communication offers a wide variety of full-time master's degree programs. The Master of Arts in journalism and public affairs is a year-long, intensive, full-time program with tracks in broadcast and print journalism.

SOC also offers an M.A. in public communication, which allows students to concentrate in arts, government, political, and public interest communication, as well as international public communication.

Concentrations in the M.A. in film and video, include film and video production, screenwriting, multimedia, and film history, theory, and criticism.

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree is a terminal degree, and upon completion of this program, SOC graduates are equipped to pursue collegiate-level teaching careers, along with a number of other career options. Alumni of SOC's M.F.A. program won the Student Academy Award for their thesis projects in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The graduate program in international media is offered in collaboration with AU's world renowned School of International Service. This program grants students an M.A. degree and offers a combination of theory, research, and professional production skills to provide students with a global media advantage.

The M.A. in Political Communication is presented in partnership with the University's School of Public Affairs and prepares students for careers as politicians, policy-makers, political communication strategists, and campaign executives.

SOC's newest graduate certificate program is a distance education program designed for professionals and focuses on how to use social networking tools in the digital media landscape.

The Doctorate in Communication degree program prepares students to understand how new media are reshaping many aspects of contemporary society. Students will also be prepared to foster innovation in civic engagement and political activism.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Media Industries And Institutions Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Media, Technology, And Culture Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Media, Public Issues, And Engagement Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? Not reported
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Required and Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• AppliedNot Reported
• AcceptedNot Reported
• Acceptance RateNot Reported
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic Not Reported
• Application Fee - International Not Reported
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline February 1st Not Reported Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesNot Reported
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test, MA with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 600 paper based, TOEFL iBT, IELTS required, IELTS paper based

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$24,264
• Out-of-state tuition *$24,264
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$430.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsFebruary 1
• Types of financial support availableFederal Work-Study, Scholarship and/or loans, Graduate Assistantships