The Ph.D. program emphasizes communication as a social science. Graduates are prepared for university positions and careers in government, the media and other organizations as researchers, consultants and policy makers. Students must demonstrate general knowledge of communication theory and research methods, as well as competence in a core area of specialization. Current core areas include communication and information systems, health communication, interpersonal communication, risk and crisis communication, and mass communication.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Communication at the University of Kentucky requires all students to complete at least 45 credit hours. Credit hour guidelines for the doctoral program are as follows:
| Minimum of Required Post-M.A. Hours | ||
| Theory and Contexts: | 12 credits | |
| * CI 651 Communication Theory * CI 751 Advanced Topics in Communication Theory Construction * CI 631 Proseminar Interpersonal Communication or CI 645 Proseminar in Mass Communication |
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| Area of Specialization | 12 credits | |
| Research Methods/Statistics: | 12 credits | |
| * CI 664 Qualitative Methods in Communication Research * CI 665 Quantitative Methods in Communication Research * STA 570 Basic Graduate Statistics Analysis (or approved equivalent by DGS) |
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| 3 credits | ||
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| Cognate | 6 credits | |
| Dissertation Residency Credit | 4 credits | |
| TOTAL 49 credits | ||
| * required courses | ||