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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

Website: https://cals.cornell.edu/communication
Email: communication@cornell.edu
Phone: 607 255-2112

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

Visit the Graduate School's Tuition Rates page.

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.

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. 

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

  • Synthesize existing knowledge
  • Identify and access appropriate resources
  • Rigorously employ appropriate methods
  • Critically evaluate one’s own findings and those of others  

Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship

  • Keep abreast of developments within one’s field and related areas
  • Show commitment to professional development via professional societies, publication, and knowledge transfer
  • Supporting learning through teaching, mentoring, and demonstration 

Demonstrate professional skills by adhering to ethical standards in the discipline

  • Apply for Institutional Review Board approval when appropriate
  • Adhere to the field’s professional associations’ ethics codes of conduct, such as ICA, SIGCHI, SCMS, AoIR, NCA, and SRA
  • Comply with Cornell’s academic integrity policies such as Responsible Conduct of Research and CITI’s human subjects training

Give and receive feedback effectively

  • Be responsive to feedback on academic assignments and progress
  • Respectfully communicate in classes and colloquia
  • Be responsive to feedback as a TA and/or RA