Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication

Immerse yourself in a rigorous curriculum that has strong ties to the humanities and social sciences, with the Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication from the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple. Explore the relationship between media and people through a variety of lenses, including cultural, economic, historical and social-psychological. Receive the academic support of an R1-classified research university as you successfully propose, create and defend your dissertation.

The advanced, multidisciplinary Media and Communication PhD provides access to individualized courses of study, faculty guidance and other opportunities that enable you to

  • work with active scholars who boast international reputations;

  • present at conferences and publish work in respected academic journals; and

  • obtain experience in undergraduate teaching.

Comprehensive coursework in communication theory and research characterizes the Media and Communication PhD program, endowing students with the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to make significant contributions in the academic and professional field of mediated communication. You will collaborate with mentors, develop your own research agenda, and graduate with a strong foundation in theory and methodologies that covers several areas of interest, including the following.

Graduates of this PhD program pursue administrative, research and teaching careers in universities and colleges. They also pursue research jobs in media industries, as well as senior-level policy and communications roles in government and nonprofit sectors. If you are hired to teach or conduct research, you will have access to the Temple University Graduate Student Association, the first recognized graduate employee union in Pennsylvania. You will also have the opportunity to request a travel award that provides funds to help cover the cost of presenting your research at scholarly symposiums.

Program Format & Curriculum

The 48-credit Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication is held on Temple’s Main Campus, and can be completed over four years of continuous, full-time study. 

The following courses are required.

  • Communication Theory I and II

  • Doctoral Colloquium I and II

  • Researching Communication I and II

  • Teaching in Higher Education: Communications

The program also requires the completion of preliminary examinations and a doctoral dissertation. Learn more about requirements for the Media and Communication PhD.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,221.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,634.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

CO-MDCM-PHD

Additional Program Information