This advanced degree program is designed to be completed in four years, but students’ paths may differ. Most students take the core sequence in the first year and complete the remainder of their coursework by the end of the second year. After completing comprehensive exams, obtaining dissertation proposal approval, and advancing to candidacy (typically by fall of your third year), you should expect to spend 1.5–2 years researching and writing your dissertation.

You can find an example schedule below, but keep in mind that your program will vary because it will be tailored to your research program and areas of interest.

Fall Term - First Year

• JCOM 612 Media Theory I 5 credits
• JCOM 619 Teaching and Professional Life* 4 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Winter Term - First Year

• JCOM 613 Media Theory II 5 credits
• JCOM 642 Quantitative Research Methods 4 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Spring Term - First Year

• JCOM 641 Qualitative Research Methods 4 credits
• JCOM 617 Media and Identity (600-level media studies speciality course) 4 credits
• JCOM 601 Research* (600-level media studies speciality course) 1 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Fall Term - Second Year**

• JCOM 649 International Communication* (600-level media studies speciality course) 4 credits
• 600-level field course outside SOJC 4 credits
• JCOM 660 Ethnography* (600-level media studies speciality course) 4 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Winter Term - Second Year**

• JCOM 610 History and Theory of New Media* (600-level media studies speciality course) 4 credits
• 600-level field course outside SOJC 4 credits
• 600-level field course outside SOJC 4 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Spring Term - Second Year

• JCOM 543 Advanced Doctoral Seminar (600-level media studies speciality course) 5 credits
• Additional methodology course 4 credits
• Serve as teaching or research assistant for 16 hours per week

Fall Term - Third Year, and beyond

After completing your core coursework (most students do this by the end of the second year), you'll move on to completing comprehensive exams, obtaining dissertation proposal approval, and advancing to candidacy, typically by fall of your third year). You will enroll for at least 9 credits (which may include JCOM 601 Research and/or JCOM 605 Reading) during the term you take exams to maintain eligibility for graduate employment. After advancing to candidacy, you should expect to spend 1.5–2 years researching and writing your dissertation.

* Electives that will vary according to specialization and course availability.

** Consult professors about course expectations when scheduling more than two seminars. Course loads and time commitments can vary. If you wish to add credits to bring your full-time load to the 9 credits required of GEs, consider independent study credits such as JCOM 601, JCOM 605, or similar independent study credits in other UO departments. Obtain professor approval and determine course expectations before registering for independent study under their supervision.

Program Checklist

In addition to your required courses, you’ll need to complete the following tasks between enrollment and graduation, with guidance from your faculty advisor. For more details, consult the SOJC Graduate Student Handbook.

1. Select your faculty advisor. During orientation, the program director will assign you a preliminary faculty advisor. This person will be your first point of contact for academic guidance. As you get to know the faculty, you will have the opportunity to select a permanent advisor (who may be your original advisor) whose research interests align with your own.
2. Prepare your first-year program statement. Toward the end of your first year, you will work with your faculty advisor to prepare a program statement proposing your inside and outside specializations and potential second-year courses and describing your interest area. Submit your statement, signed by you and your advisor, to SOJC Graduate Affairs for review. If changes are needed, you will receive feedback.
3. Complete your core coursework. Most students complete the core sequence in the first year and the rest of their coursework, which includes the final core course and electives relevant to students’ specializations, by the end of the second year. The core courses will give you an understanding of the key theories and methods that define media studies and serve as a starting framework to develop your dissertation.
4. Select your committee. During your second year, you will select a committee consisting of your advisor, two SOJC faculty members, and one tenure-track faculty member from outside the SOJC. This committee will serve as your comprehensive exam committee. Although this committee typically continues as your dissertation committee, you may choose a different committee for your dissertation.
5. Take your comprehensive exams. To maintain satisfactory progress, doctoral students must pass their comprehensive exams by the end of fall term of their third year. Many students take exams toward the end of their second year. You will enroll for at least 9 credits (which may include JCOM 601 Research and/or JCOM 605 Reading) during the term you take exams to maintain eligibility for graduate employment.
6. Submit your dissertation proposal. Prepare this proposal in consultation with your advisor and committee. You will send your proposal to your dissertation committee and schedule a meeting to discuss it. The committee must sign a form indicating they have approved of your proposal. It is best to complete the proposal process no later than the end of fall term of your third year, so you will have time to conduct research during the rest of the year. To maintain satisfactory progress, you must obtain proposal approval by the end of spring term of your third year.
7. Prepare your second-year program statement toward the end of your second year and in consultation with your faculty advisor. This statement updates/revises and finalizes areas of specialization and coursework proposed in your first-year program statement. Submit your statement, signed by you and your advisor, to SOJC Graduate Affairs for review. If changes are needed, you will receive feedback accordingly.
8. Advance to candidacy. Once you have passed your comprehensive exams and your committee has approved your dissertation proposal, the SOJC will notify the Division of Graduate Affairs that you are ready to advance to candidacy. Ideally this will occur by the end of fall term of your third year.
9. Conduct research and write dissertation. After achieving candidacy, register for JCOM 603 Dissertation (1-16 credits). Each student’s dissertation experience is different, depending on such factors as the nature of the research, their relationship with their advisor/chair and committee, and individual work styles and preferences. Work closely with your advisor. Note that some committee members may request to review chapters as you write them. You should discuss your preferences with them. Follow the style guidelines outlined in the UO Thesis and Dissertation Style and Policy Manual.
10. Schedule and complete the oral defense of your dissertation. When your draft is near completion and with advisor approval, it is wise to schedule a tentative oral defense date with committee members to hold the date and time on their schedules. When your advisor agrees your dissertation draft is ready, submit the full draft to your committee. You must allow the committee a minimum of three weeks to review your draft before the oral defense date. Apply for your oral defense in GradWeb, and committee members must agree to attend the defense at least two weeks before your defense date. You must complete the defense by the term’s applicable doctoral degree completion deadline. The defense is intended to be a public meeting, so the defense date will be announced to the school community
11. Apply for graduation. By the second week of the term in which you plan to graduate, fill out the graduation form on GradWeb.
12. Submit your approved dissertation to the Grad School. Upload a PDF of your dissertation and all final approval forms to the UO Division of Graduate Studies within two weeks after your oral defense. You can find the doctoral completion deadlines on the Division of Graduate Studies website.

Questions?

Need some guidance? Here are a few options:

1. Download our graduate handbook for more details about program requirements and resources.
2. Contact our Director of Graduate Affairs and Student Experience with questions about the program, the application process, and admission.

Once you’re admitted, you’ll be matched with a preliminary faculty advisor who will be your first point of contact for academic guidance. As you get to know SOJC faculty and focus your research interests, you may continue with your original advisor or select another advisor.