The Ph.D. program in mass communication is designed to prepare students for college teaching and research positions or research careers in mass communication industries, advertising agencies, market- or opinion-research firms, business or government.

The program is small and selective. Eight to 10 new students are admitted each year. Enrollment in the program – which normally takes three to four years to complete – totals about 40 students.

Once admitted, collegial faculty members work closely with each student to develop a program of study that is both interdisciplinary, allowing the student to take full advantage of the University's rich academic offerings, and tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of the student. The goal of the program is to produce outstanding scholars who are highly knowledgeable about mass communication and highly skilled as researchers.

Recent graduates have taken jobs as professors at colleges and universities including:

- Appalachian State University
- Auburn University
- The American University in Cairo
- Bradley University
- Colorado State University
- DePaul University
- Elon University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Louisiana State University
- Northern Iowa University
- Northwestern University
- Ohio University
- Radford University
- Southern Illinois University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas Tech University
- University of Denver
- University of Florida
- University of Miami
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- University of North Florida
- University of South Carolina
- University of Utah
- Virginia Tech University
- West Virginia University

Other Ph.D. graduates also hold top management positions in research, advertising and marketing firms. Some hold public sector positions, and several have started their own companies. Among the non-academic positions Ph.D. graduates have taken are:

- Assistant vice president for commerce, Sun Trust, Atlanta
- Management and program analyst, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Director of research, TRAC Media Services
- Owner and director, Medical Marketing Management
- Director of polling, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Managing partner, Yankelovich Partners Inc.
- Director of research, Miller/Huber Relationship Agency
- Editor, Government Video magazine
- Director of development, N.C. Museum of Life and Sciences

All applicants to the Ph.D. program must have completed a master's degree or a J.D.

Admissions decisions are based not only on the standard criteria — GRE scores, grade averages and letters of recommendation — but also on a determination of whether the applicant's interests and goals fit with those of the program and faculty. For that reason, the statement of purpose and statement of research interests that must accompany an application are extremely important, and applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible in outlining their research interests and career goals.

Contact Francesca Dillman Carpentier, Ph.D. program director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .