Graduate Field
Communication
Program Description
The Cornell University Ph.D. in Communication is designed to assist students in proposing, testing, and refining communication theories; in practicing skilled research; and in becoming knowledgeable about communication. It is the number two communication Ph.D. program in the country.
The Ph.D. degree is a research degree. Cornell's doctoral program is designed to be a small, high quality program that will encourage students' interests in academic work as well as prepare them for nonacademic job opportunities. Doctoral students focus on developing communication theory based on empirical social science research. Program graduates will be able to compete successfully for teaching and research positions at colleges and universities, work at consulting firms, or conduct research and contribute to policy in government and private organizations.
Concentrations
- Communication
- Human-computer interaction
- Language and communication
- Media communication and society
- Organizational communication
- Science, environment and health communication
- Social psychology communication
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 60
Program Requirements
- 12 credits of required first year courses, completed before Qualifying Exam (Q Exam)
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 8
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: First Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Before seventh semester begins
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Usually summer of fourth or fifth year
Field Specific Milestones
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): Fall of third year
- Field progress reviews in December and May of every year
- Presentation of Second-Year project in the fall of the third year
- Two semesters of teaching assistantship required
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 (Fall)
Year 1 (Spring)
- COMM 6810 Advanced Communication Theory
- COMM 6830 Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
Year 2
- COMM 7990 Graduate Research or COMM 7970 Graduate Independent Study
- Coursework outside of COMM
Year 3
Year 4
All subsequent terms
- COMM 9900 Doctoral-Level Dissertation Research
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
