PhD Communication at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Hugh Downs School of Human Communication offers you a transdisciplinary graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in communication. This program provides coursework and resources spanning multiple approaches to human communication scholarship (critical, social scientific, performance) and domains of inquiry (relationships, organizations, global societies, cultures). You customize your training around core courses in communication theory and research methodology, plus multiple areas of emphasis.

What you will study

96 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (6 credit hours) COM 604 Theory Construction in Communication (3) Choose one: COM 607 Contemporary Rhetorical Methods (3) COM 608 Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Data in Communication (3) COM 609 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Communication (3) Electives (48 credit hours) Other Requirements (24 credit hours) COM 691 Seminar (24) Research (6 credit hours) COM 792 Research (6) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) COM 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree; 66 credit hours are required beyond an appropriate master's degree.

Career pathways

A doctoral degree in communication opens doors to a variety of careers in research, teaching, training and consulting. Graduates typically obtain jobs in research and teaching institutions that range from large research universities to four-year teaching schools and community colleges.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts resume or curriculum vitae statement of goals three letters of recommendation writing sample proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Most commonly, students enter with a research-based Master of Arts in which they have completed a master's thesis.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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