School of
Communication Studies

All students in the PhD program are required to take a series of core courses. These courses are:

COMS 7000 – Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Pedagogy
The professional seminar serves to orient students to graduate school and provide forums to discuss what it means to be a scholar, teacher, citizen, and/or communication practitioner.

COMS 7001 – Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Scholarly Writing
The professional seminar serves to orient students to graduate school and provide forums to discuss what it means to be a scholar, teacher, citizen, and/or communication practitioner.

COMS 7002 – Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Service
The professional seminar serves to orient students to graduate school and provide forums to discuss what it means to be a scholar, teacher, citizen, and/or communication practitioner.

COMS 7020 – Integrated Theory in Communications Studies I
COMS 7020 (and its companion course, 7030) will provide students with a broad-based introduction to, and critical examination of, the historical foundations as well as the contemporary theoretical investigations of the communication discipline. Students will read primary source materials coupled with contemporary texts extending these works in developing, applying and testing communication theory.

COMS 7030 – Integrated Theory in Communications Studies II
COMS 7030 (and its companion course, 7020) will provide students with a broad-based introduction to, and critical examination of, the historical foundations of communication theory, as well as the contemporary texts extending these works in developing, applying, and testing communication theory.

COMS 7040 – Research Design and Analysis I
COMS7040 (and its companion course COMS 7050) introduces students to fundamental principles of research design and analysis and serves as a foundation for other courses in the program. Students will learn theoretical principles and research skills associated with four content areas: (a) metatheoretical assumptions, (b) quantitative design and analysis, (c) qualitative design and analysis, and (d) mixed-method design.

COMS 7050 – Research and Design and Analysis II
COMS 7050 (and its companion course COMS 7040) introduces students to fundamental principles of research design and analysis and serves as a foundation for other courses in the program. Students will learn theoretical principles and research skills associated with four content areas: (a) metatheoretical assumptions, (b) quantitative design and analysis, (c) qualitative design and analysis, and (d) mixed-method design.