Kent State University

Program Information

Degree Offered

Ph.D. in Communication and Information

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University provides students with a foundation in communication and information. The curriculum begins with interdisciplinary core courses, and then becomes individually tailored to allow specialization in depth according to each student’s developing areas of expertise and research. This Ph.D. program is a logical extension of the convergence of the communication and information disciplines taking place within the college as well as in the academic, commercial and professional world.

Some areas of study within the program include:

* interpersonal communication
* health communication
* mass communication
* mediated communication
* library and information science
* user experience design
* knowledge management

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is research-oriented. The goal of the Ph.D. program in Communication and Information is to develop doctoral scholars' ability to generate knowledge by conducting and publishing research in their areas of expertise.

Accreditation:

Kent State University is an affiliate of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants are normally accepted for admission only for the fall semester, and the deadline for all application materials is Feb. 1.
* Completion of the academic requirements of a master's degree in one of the disciplines represented in the College of Communication and Information or in a discipline related to the applicant's proposed course of study.
* A minimum 3.3 (where A=4.0) graduate GPA (GPA above 3.5 strongly recommended).
* A Verbal score of 600 and a Quantitative score of 600 on the Graduate Record Examination.
* Superior letters of recommendation from those in a position to evaluate graduate academic performance and potential.
* A statement of academic goals and intended topics of study that are compatible with the focus of the college's doctoral program.
* A sample of superior scholarly writing (published paper, major term paper, thesis chapter, etc.)

International Student Requirements:

International applicants normally are expected to achieve a minimum score of 590 on the paper-based TOEFL examination or the equivalent in another testing format.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Large Suburb

Size & Settings: 20,000 and above