Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D in Public Communication and Technology at Colorado State University's Department of Journalism & Technical Communication will focus on two important concerns:
the role of information in the public’s understanding of contemporary issues, and
the impact of new communication technologies in people’s lives.
Applications and degrees will be considered in the context of this focus.
The department follows the university’s general requirements for admission to graduate studies, which are found in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin on the Graduate School’s Web site. Additional requirements are specified below and on our applications pages: General Ph.D. application information.
Students are expected to demonstrate a superior academic record, evidenced by a minimum 3.0 grade point average for their master’s degree and a strong record of performance in their undergraduate studies.
We will consider your potential for completing the degree based on the following: a completed master’s degree; GRE scores; evidence of scholarly/professional work; three letters of recommendation; statement of career objectives and research interests; résumé; transcripts from bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Exceptions to specified requirements may be made if warranted.
Applications procedures differ for US citizens and international doctoral students. For detailed instructions, please see the guidelines for US citizens or for international students.
Once complete, applicants’ materials will be reviewed by the department’s graduate committee. As part of the admission process, promising applicants will be required to complete a telephone or in-person interview with members of the JTC faculty.
Students are encouraged to visit campus and should consult with the Ph.D. program coordinator (jtcgradstudy@colostate.edu) to make arrangements.
Provisional Admission
Students seeking admission to the Ph.D. program must complete all requirements for a master’s degree by August 15 of the year in which they will begin doctoral studies. Students who have not completed all requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis but must complete their master’s degrees no later than the end of their first year in the program.
Confirmation
Admitted students must confirm their intent to enroll by May 1 or within two weeks following acceptance (if after May 1). Students should then:
Review the Notice of Graduate Admission (Form GS2A) and submit any documents that might be indicated on the notice. A delay in doing so may prevent registration.
Obtain a Colorado State eID (electronic identification) to access university services.
Apply for campus housing, if desired.
Submit completed health/immunization forms.
Apply for additional financial aid/loans.
Adviser
Upon acceptance, students will be assigned to a temporary faculty adviser who will be available to answer questions, coordinate arrangements and provide advice. Students will later select permanent advisers to chair their comprehensive examinations and oversee preparation and defense of their dissertations.
Orientation
Students usually begin the program in the fall semester. Students should plan to arrive on campus by August 15 in order to attend the university orientation for new graduate students, and university and college orientations for new graduate teaching assistants (if applicable). See CSU's Graduate School’s Web site for more information.
To complete the Ph.D. degree, students must do the following:
Submit a program of study form for approval by the student’s graduate committee by the end of the third semester.
Form a five-person comprehensive examination committee, with a chair and two members from inside the JTC department and two members from outside the department.
Pass a written comprehensive examination prepared by the student’s examination committee. The examination will cover questions related to the student’s research and each faculty member’s expertise.
Form a five-person dissertation committee, with the chair and two members from inside the JTC department and two committee members from outside the department. This committee may be same as the comprehensive examination committee.
Write and successfully defend a dissertation research proposal.
Complete the dissertation under the supervision of the student’s adviser and dissertation committee.
Successfully defend the dissertation in an oral examination.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
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