Doctor of Philosophy
The interdepartmental, interdisciplinary doctoral program in Information and Media immerses students in advanced graduate training in the field of information and media. Taught by a faculty with backgrounds in advertising and public relations, communication, computer science, economics, human computer interaction, journalism, management, neuroscience, political science, psychology, science and technology studies, sociology, and design, it seeks to empower the next generation of scholars and teachers to pursue innovative and original research.
The program is administered by the College of Communication Arts and Sciences through the program’s Executive Committee and the Director of the Ph.D. Program. Faculty of the three participating academic units, the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, the School of Journalism, and the Department of Media and Information, participate in the governance of the program.
Academic standards for admission and retention, degree requirements, residence, transfer credit and time limit requirements are in accordance with the regulations of the university and of the college.
In addition to the requirements of the university and of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission
Students are admitted to begin fall semester. Exceptional candidates may be admitted without a master's degree. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test are required. Applicants with professional media experience may be given special consideration. All application materials are due in the program office by December 1st. Late applications may be considered. Complete details concerning application may be obtained from the program office in the college or the Web site at https://comartsci.msu.edu/information-media-phd.
Guidance Committee
At least two of the three participating departments must be represented on the student's guidance committee.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Information and Media
The student must meet the requirements specified below:
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Core Courses. Complete all of the following (12 credits): |
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CAS |
921 |
Theories of Media and Information |
3 |
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CAS |
975 |
Introductory Methods |
3 |
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CAS |
991 |
Ways of Knowing |
3 |
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Introduction to Statistics course at the 800-900 level approved by the academic advisor |
3 |
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Advanced Methods or Statistics. (12 credits): |
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Complete 3 credits in a specialized quantitative methods course, 3 credits in a specialized qualitative methods course, and 6 credits in an advanced methods or statistics course at the 800-900 level approved by the student’s academic advisor. |
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Advanced Theory. (3 credits). |
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Complete 3 credits of advanced theory as approved by the student’s academic advisor. |
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Concentration. (15 credits) |
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Complete 15 credits in an area of concentration selected in consultation with the guidance committee. |
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Professionalization Requirement |
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Each semester before the comprehensive examination, students must attend a minimum number of preapproved events intended to provide specific training or opportunities for professionalization, as specified in the program handbook. |
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Completion of a second year project. |
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Successful completion of the comprehensive examination. |
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Complete 24 credits of CAS 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research. |
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| 9. |
Prepare and successfully defend the doctoral dissertation. |
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