Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD
If you're interested in a deeper examination of the role and influence of media and technology in today's increasingly complex world, this program can help you build the theoretical, methodological and professional skills you need to become a thought leader and educator.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in journalism and mass communication is a highly individualized program that is well-suited whether you are a seasoned media professional transitioning to academia; or a recent graduate of master's degree-level programs in journalism and communication, social and behavioral sciences, or the humanities.
You have access to the resources, training and mentorship you need to answer critical questions that challenge the fields of journalism, digital and social media, strategic communication and audience studies, and global mass communication.
The program is designed around core values of inclusive excellence, collaboration and mentoring, transdisciplinarity and original research.
You are able to develop individual programs of study, taking coursework and drawing on knowledge and methodologies from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication. Examples include political science, film, computer and data sciences, sociology and anthropology.
Within the Cronkite School, you work closely with faculty mentors and fellow students on collaborative projects, develop your own research programs, and benefit from the advice and examples of senior scholars for personalized guidance.
The goal of the program is to train you to be a scholar capable of identifying key questions, designing appropriate studies to investigate those questions, and conducting independent and impactful research. You are exposed to a wide variety of theories and methods, enabling you to forge your own scholarly identity based on interests and aptitudes.
The Cronkite School is committed to creating an environment in which everyone feels they are represented, their experience is equitable, they are fully accepted for who they are and they are valued. The school strives daily to be a welcoming place for all members of the community, where the importance and contribution of each individual are valued and respected.
Why earn your journalism and mass communication PhD at ASU?
This program offers individualized pathways of study that allow you to tailor coursework and research to your specific scholarly interests. You have access to opportunities to present research at conferences, publish scholarly work and engage with academic communities.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (18 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Other Requirements (24 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Dissertation (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students entering the program with a master's degree in journalism or mass communication or a related field must complete 60 credit hours of coursework. Students who are admitted to the program without a master's degree are required to complete an additional 24 credit hours of coursework.
previous master's degree or additional hours approved by the supervisory committee (24)
Students should see the academic unit for an approved course list.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Critically evaluate existing scholarship from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication.
- Conduct original scholarly research in their discipline and subdisciplines.
- Effectively and publicly communicate their original research findings to peers and colleagues.
Critically evaluate existing scholarship from diverse fields that have a bearing on questions within mass communication.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 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 a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The personal statement of interest should be approximately 1,000-1,500 words and explain why the student wants to pursue a doctorate in mass communication as well as why the Cronkite School program fits their career and personal aims. The statement of research goals should indicate at least two Cronkite research faculty members with whom the student would like to work, supported by relevant citations of the faculty members' scholarly publications. Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms. Applicants must meet all deadlines and application requirements to be considered. The Cronkite School's doctoral committee reviews complete applications. Recommendations for admission are made to Graduate Admission Services, where the final admission decisions are made.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applicants should have a TOEFL iBT® score of at least 5, or a score of 100 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026. Students with a Duolingo score of 120 are also considered.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
The Cronkite doctorate program is multicultural, with students and alumni hailing from all over the world and bringing their experiences into seminar discussions and research. There are also opportunities to work on international grant-funded research projects led by Cronkite faculty to broaden students' perspective on issues within the discipline.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this journalism and mass communication PhD degree prepares you for
Graduates with a doctorate in journalism and mass communication are prepared for a number of career opportunities. Those with professional expertise in mass media and communications are in especially high demand as universities and institutions train the next generation of media professionals. Career examples include:
- industry researcher or trainer
- media analyst
- media consultant
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm
|
CRONK 302
cronkitegrad@asu.edu
602-496-5555
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
