Graduate Journalism Courses
Graduate Telecommunications Courses

The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism and the School of Telecommunications jointly offer a doctoral program in mass communication. Students may work toward a Ph.D. in mass communication with an emphasis on telecommunications or journalism.

There are differences in the doctoral programs offered by the two schools. The School of Telecommunications emphasizes the study of international media, new technology and culture, media management and policy, and media studies. The School of Journalism focuses on international; legal and historical studies; visual communication; media management and public policy; and theory and empirical research.

Before applying you are urged to consult the Web sites of both schools to see which program might be most appropriate to your interests.

In your application you must select one of the two schools; in the appropriate line on the Ohio University application form, you should specify either "mass communication--telecommunications" or "mass communication--journalism." Combined applications are not permitted. The minimum requirements are a total of 135 quarter hours of graduate work, including up to 50 hours of previous work on the graduate level for the School of Journalism, or up to 60 hours for the School of Telecommunications, that have been accepted for transfer by the relevant school. The total hours include up to 15 quarter hours of credit for the dissertation; a major of at least 54 quarter hours (other than the dissertation) in mass communication; at least 18 quarter hours in a related area outside the College of Communication. The remaining hours are distributed among courses selected with the approval of a program committee that advises the doctoral candidate on the program of study that will serve the student's personal and career goals. For Journalism, students must take four tool skills courses that do not count for graduation. There is a similar requirement in Telecommunications. In this case a minimum of 12-15 credit hours of research tools courses are required. These hours also do not count toward the total hours needed for the degree.

In the School of Telecommunications new doctoral students are only admitted at the beginning of the fall quarter due to the sequence in which courses are offered. In the School of Journalism, those admitted for fall may start in summer. The application deadline for both schools is February 1 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, or December 31 for international applicants. This earlier deadline for international applicants is to allow time for international transcripts to be received and evaluated. Even earlier submission of materials is strongly encouraged.