The doctoral program trains candidates to do research on a broad array of interdisciplinary questions related to communication and society. The school features faculty and coursework that explore the cultural, economic and political analysis of communication and society. Four overlapping areas of faculty and program strength are: media institutions; ethics, law, and policy; international communication; and communication and diversity. The Ph.D. program emphasizes an appreciation of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, we also place a strong emphasis on preparation for teaching in the context of higher education. Faculty in departments and schools outside Journalism and Communication have complementary areas of conceptual and methodological expertise to assist in guiding doctoral research.

Course Requirements
Candidates for the Ph.D. degree typically take about 80 graduate-level credits of course work beyond the master’s degree; the exact number of credits depends on the student’s prior graduate study experience. The program concludes with a dissertation. Specific requirements are:

1. Core sequence. Within the first three terms of study, students complete the core sequence of courses: Introduction to the Faculty (J625), Proseminar I (J640), Qualitative Research Methods (J641) and Quantitative Research Methods (J642). Proseminar II (J643) is taken during the first term of the second year of study after completion of Prosem I.
2. Methodology Courses. At least two additional methodology courses must be taken. These courses may be  taken outside the School.
3. Communication Specialty. Each student must specify an area of expertise within the SOJC. An area of specialization may coincide with the current areas of faculty expertise or may represent another area within the field of communication. The area of specialization must be supported with relevant course work, which typically includes 4-5 courses in the SOJC, although courses outside the school may also be appropriate.
4. Outside Field. In close consultation with their adviser, each student designs an integrated outside-related field component (18 credits minimum) for his or her course of study. The Ph.D. program stresses the interconnectedness of communication with other disciplines; therefore, the 18-credit outside field may involve more than one outside department.
5. Methodological Tool Requirement. The student’s committee may require additional methods courses depending on the student’s specific research aims within and/or outside the SOJC.
6. University Teaching. A seminar in teaching is required of all Ph.D. students. After completing this course, appropriate teaching experience in the SOJC will be arranged and coordinated by the Graduate Affairs Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.
7. Comprehensive Examination. After course work is complete, the student, the adviser, and the student’s comprehensive examination committee will schedule an examination that synthesizes what the student has learned. The student must pass the comprehensive examination before advancing to canidacy and beginning work on the dissertation.
8. Dissertation. A dissertation is the final step in the doctoral program. Students must enroll for at least 18 credits of J603 after passing the comprehensive exam.  Though students must maintain continuous enrollment in the University from entry to degree completion, only 18 credits of J603 will be counted 1towards the dissertation requirement.  (An incomplete will be recorded for all J603 credits until the dissertation is completed.)  The dissertation is a professionally central experience in the design, conduct, and dissemination of original research.  It is written after the student’s dissertation proposal is approved in writing by dissertation committee members.
9. The Graduate School requires that doctoral students spend at least one academic year (three consecutive terms of full-time study with a minimum of 9 completed graduate credits per term) in residence on the Eugene campus after being accepted into a doctoral program.  All coursework leading to the doctoral degree must be completed within seven years.