Students can be admitted into the Ph.D. program with out without an earned M.A. degree (from UGA or another accredited institution of higher education) You will be admitted as a student of either: (1) Interpersonal and Health Communication or (2) Rhetorical Studies. A. Requirements: Ph.D. Program for Students with an Earned M.A. Degree A typical student enrolled in the Ph.D. program who entered with an existing M.A. degree from an accredited institution of higher education can complete the program in 4 years. All Ph.D. students at UGA must complete a program of study which constitutes a logical whole and should consist of 16 or more hours of 8000- and 9000-level courses in addition to research, dissertation writing, and directed study. No grade below C will be accepted on the program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average on the program of study. Coursework required for the Ph.D. in Communication Studies varies according to area. During the first year of study, students in the Interpersonal & Health track are required to take COMM 8500 (Communication Theory), COMM 8010 or 8011 (Communication Education), COMM 8020 (Introduction to Graduate Studies), an additional seminar in the fall, and COMM 8700 (Empirical Research Methods), plus two additional seminars in the spring. Students in the Rhetorical Studies track are required to take COMM 8200 (Rhetorical Theory), COMM 8010 or 8011 (Communication Education), COMM 8020 (Introduction to Graduate Studies), and an additional seminar during the fall, and COMM 8300 (Rhetorical Criticism) plus two additional seminars in the spring. After the first year, both Interpersonal & Health and Rhetorical Studies students take a variety of seminars based on their research interests and methodological requirements. Students are also required to complete three 1-credit research practicums (COMM 8050) with faculty members during the program of study. The number of hours is set by the major professor and advisory committee. UGA does not transfer graduate credit from other institutions. After the first year, both Interpersonal & Health and Rhetorical Studies students take a variety of seminars based on their research interests and methodological requirements. The number of hours is set by the major professor and advisory committee. UGA does not transfer graduate credit from other institutions. B. Requirements: Ph.D. Program for Students without an Earned M.A. Degree A typical student enrolled in the Ph.D. program who entered without an existing M.A. degree can complete the program in 5 years. Students on this track will take a qualifying exam in the first semester of the second year of study to move from the M.A. level to the Ph.D. degree level. All Ph.D. students at UGA must complete a program of study which constitutes a logical whole. No grade below C will be accepted on the program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average on the program of study. Coursework required for the Ph.D. in Communication Studies varies according to area. During the first year of study, students in the Interpersonal & Health track are required to take COMM 8500 (Communication Theory), COMM 8010 or 8011 (Communication Education), COMM 8020 (Introduction to Graduate Studies), an additional seminar in the fall, and COMM 8700 (Empirical Research Methods), plus two additional seminars in the spring. Students in the Rhetorical Studies track are required to take COMM 8200 (Rhetorical Theory), COMM 8010 or 8011 (Communication Education), COMM 8020 (Introduction to Graduate Studies), and an additional seminar during the fall, and COMM 8300 (Rhetorical Criticism) plus two additional seminars in the spring. After the first year, both Interpersonal & Health and Rhetorical Studies students take a variety of seminars based on their research interests and methodological requirements. Students are also required to complete three 1-credit research practicums (COMM 8050) with faculty members during the program of study. The number of hours is set by the major professor and advisory committee. UGA does not transfer graduate credit from other institutions.
