NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

University of South Carolina, School of Journalism and Mass Communications

The University of South Carolina's Ph.D. program in Mass Communication is designed for students looking for a career in teaching and research at the highest levels, or research and management with mass media companies. This program is small and selective, giving students substantial flexibility to tailor their coursework and area of study to their particular career goals. 

Carnegie "Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity"

 

Communication doctorates conferred between 2010-19: 41

 

Areas of Study

  • Health, Risk and Environmental Communications
  • Theory, History and Criticism of Media Institutions
  • Media, Data and Society
  • Strategic Communication, Advertising and Social Media Marketing 
  • Processes and Effects of Mediated Communication 
  • Law and Ethics of Media
  • Public Opinion and Political Communication

Rankings

URAP University Rankings—Language, Communication & Culture 

  • #255 of 300 World Universities

Admission Requirements

  • A completed online application.
  • Academic record, especially work done at the master's level.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Written statement explaining why you want to pursue this degree, with career hopes and expectations.
  • Resume showing professional experience.
  • Writing sample(s).
  • A completed master's degree or one close to completion. It doesn't have to be in journalism or mass communications, although if not, additional coursework might be required.
  • Starting in the Fall 2024 term, a score report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional.

Graduate Faculty

  • Professor Shannon A. Bowen, Ph.D., University of Maryland
  • Associate Professor Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Professor Shirley Staples Carter, Ph.D., University of Missouri
  • Assistant Professor Candice L. Edrington, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
  • Assistant Professor Jabari Miles Evans, Ph.D., Northwestern University
  • Professor Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Temple University
  • Professor August E. Grant, Ph.D., University of Southern California
  • Associate Professor Sabrina H. Habib, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • Associate Professor Kevin Hull, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • Associate Professor Jungmi Jun, Ph.D., George Mason University
  • Professor Sei-Hill Kim, Ph.D., Cornell University
  • Assistant Professor Jacob Long, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
  • Assistant Professor Carmen Maye, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
  • Associate Professor Tara Marie Mortensen, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
  • Professor Leigh Moscowitz, Ph.D., Indiana University
  • Professor Tom Reichert, Ph.D., University of Arizona
  • Assistant Professor Brett W. Robertson, Ph.D., University of Texas
  • Associate Professor Eric P. Robinson, Ph.D., Louisiana State University
  • Professor Andrea Tanner, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
  • Professor Damion Waymer, Ph.D., Purdue University
  • Associate Professor Taylor Wen, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • Associate Professor Linwan Wu, Ph.D., University of Florida
  • Assistant Professor Anli Xiao, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University