Communication PhD
Admission Requirements
- MA in Communication or its equivalent.
- A thoroughly articulated research project outline.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
- Language Requirements. Applicants should have a level of competence that would allow them to read technical material and follow lectures and discussions in English. Students may participate in discussions, write reports, examinations and theses in English or French, as they choose.
Additional Admission Requirements
Admission criteria:
- Excellent past academic records.
- Excellence and pertinence of academic background.
- Promise as a scholar.
- Relevance of proposed research to the program.
- Feasibility of proposed research in terms of material and faculty resources.
- Ability to understand English and French.
- Availability of a faculty member to direct the applicant.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.
Please see the Communication Studies Courses page for course descriptions.
Communication PhD (90 credits)
6 | credits of Required Courses:
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12 | credits chosen from Communication PhD Electives |
3 | credits:
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6 | credits:
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63 | credits:
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Communication PhD Electives (12 credits)
Additional Degree Requirements
All students must enrol in COMS 800 in the first term of Year 1; COMS 815, COMS 835 and one additional elective course from among the program's offerings in Year 2; and COMS 890 and COMS 896 in Year 3.
Under normal circumstances, students enrol in the Doctoral Examination (COMS 815) in Year 2 of the program. Normally, the written portion of the examination is defended orally by no later than the end of the Fall Term in Year 2. It is compulsory to finish the examination before registering in COMS 835 .
In the term following the completion of course work (usually the sixth term) students should submit a thesis proposal (COMS 890) to their thesis director. Students must have completed the doctoral examination (COMS 815) before registering for the thesis proposal. The thesis proposal should be completed within three years of the student's first enrolment.
All degree requirements, including the thesis, must be completed within six years of the student's first enrolment for full-time studies and eight years for part-time studies.
Supervision. Students are assigned an academic advisor when they first register. Students are required to choose a thesis director before the end of their third term in the program.
Academic Regulations
- Academic Standing. Please refer to the Academic Standing section of the Calendar for a detailed review of the Academic Regulations.
- Residence. The minimum period of residence is six terms including two summer terms of full-time study, or its equivalent in part-time study. Of this, three terms must be taken consecutively.
- Time Limit. Please refer to the Academic Regulations page for further details regarding the Time Limits.
- Graduation Requirement. In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.