Requirements for the Doctorate of Philosophy
The University Graduate School Bulletin, which is republished annually, details your degree requirements.
The following degree requirements apply to the Ph.D.:
- Complete the following courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-M503 Media Theories (three credit hours) or MSCH-M504 Media Theories (three credit hours)
- MSCH-M555 Media Pedagogy (three credit hours)
- Three semesters of MSCH-M600 Media Arts and Science Colloquium (1 credit hour per semester)
- Either:
- For students fulfilling the 2019-20 bulletin requirements: Epistemologies of Media (MSCH-M500 or MSCH-C792) (three credit hours), OR
- For students fulfilling bulletin requirements from prior to 2019-20: MSCH-M502 Media Research (three credit hours)
- Complete six to 12 credit hours of methods/foreign language courses, as approved by the student's advisory committee.
- Complete an official minor as required by the minor department (typically 12-15 credit hours).
- No more than six credit hours of MSCH-J804 (independent study) may be counted toward the degree.
- A minimum of 24 credit hours must be taken within The Media School.
- A program of study listing all courses toward the degree, approved by the student’s committee.
- All courses taken must be of the 500 level and above to count for credit toward graduate degrees.
Critical steps for the Ph.D.
Processes and links to Media School, College and University Graduate School forms are included in the below sections.
- Working with the director of graduate studies, select first semester courses (core courses as available: M500, M503, M555 and M600 are required).
- Complete federal I-9 information, which will be emailed to you.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Attend orientation.
- Orientation: Bring passport or other ID to the graduate office to complete federal I-9 filing.
- Check with graduate office to make sure we have a final, official copy of your master's degree transcript.
- Name a faculty advisor who will serve as the chair of your advisory committee. You should name a faculty advisor by February 15.
- Appoint your advisory committee
- Create and submit your program of study with assistance from your advisory committee by April 15.
- Enroll in courses noted for third semester on program of study.
- Submit any requests for transfer of graduate credit (up to 30 hours from your master's degree program).
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Enroll in courses noted for fourth semester on your plan of study.
- If you have not done so yet, appoint your advisory committee.
- Enroll in courses noted for fifth semester on your plan of study.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Continue coursework, or:
- Schedule and take your Ph.D. exam. (Your committee chair should submit the result of your exam via this form.)
- Initiate and submit your Nomination to Candidacy. For instructions on filling out your candidacy form, please contact the graduate studies administrative associate. Make sure to have completed your transfer of credits before submitting your nomination to candidacy.
- Schedule and take your Ph.D. exam. (Your committee chair should submit the result of your exam via this form.)
- Initiate and submit your Nomination to Candidacy. For instructions on filling out your candidacy form, please contact the graduate studies administrative associate.
OR
- Defend your dissertation prospectus and initiate and submit your Nomination of Research Committee.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- If you have not defended your dissertation prospectus and initiated and submitted your Nomination of Research Committee, do so now.
- If applicable, initiate and submit your Ph.D. Commencement Participation Application. This form must be approved by Sept. 25 for December commencement and Feb. 25 for May commencement.
- If applicable, initiate and submit your Ph.D. Defense Announcement at least 40 days before you plan to defend. Defend your dissertation.
- Upon successful defense of your dissertation, submit it to the University Graduate School. Electronic submission through ProQuest6 is the preferred method.
Questions?
Contact Leah Wolfe, graduate studies administrative associate.