Communication Ph.D. (Ithaca)

Field of Study

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.

Contact Information

452 Mann Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY  14853

Concentrations by Subject

• communication
• human-computer interaction
• language and communication
• media communication and society
• organizational communication
• science, environment and health communication
• social psychology communication

Tuition

$20,800

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadlines:

Fall, Dec. 1; no spring admission

Note: The application deadline is December 1, by which all application materials must be submitted (including test scores). Letters of recommendation are due by December 15.

Requirements Summary:

Applicants are expected to have some competence in at least one area of communication or be willing to spend time beyond the normal degree requirements to gain competence. Persons with experience in communication are encouraged to apply; evidence of superior performance in the professional field will be considered in combination with academic records. 

• all Graduate School Requirements, including the TOEFL Exam or IELTS for Non-Native English Applicants
• only online submission of application materials; no hardcopy materials will be accepted
• academic statement of purpose
• personal statement
• transcripts
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• further application information available here

In light of both recent concerns about the availability of the GRE for students across the globe related to COVID-19, and broader concerns about the inequities inherent in this standardized test, Cornell's Graduate Field of Communication will not accept GRE scores from applicants. We will review all applications blinded for GRE scores. Please do not make any reference to a GRE score in your personal statement or academic statement of purpose. We will review all applications for such references and will not accept statements that make reference to this test anywhere in the application.

Learning Outcomes

Make an original and substantial contribution to the field

• Advance communication theory

Think originally and independently

• Identify new research opportunities within the field

Demonstrate advanced research skills

• Critically evaluate one’s own findings and those of others  
• Synthesizing existing knowledge 
• Identifying and accessing appropriate resources

Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship

• Keeping abreast of advances within one’s field and related areas
• Showing commitment to professional development via professional societies, publication, and knowledge transfer
• Supporting learning via teaching, mentoring, and demonstration 

Demonstrate professional skills by adhering to ethical standards in the discipline, and by listening to, giving and receiving feedback effectively