Ph.D. in Communication

2023-24 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

Admissions Process:

Step 1: Application

Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Graduate Program Academic Paper

Please submit a five-page minimum scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master’s thesis (or a portion of it, plus bibliography) or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. Please submit to regent.edu/items.

Step 3: Submit your Unofficial College Transcripts

We are able to examine and view your unofficial transcripts from U.S.-based schools, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, in order to review you for an admissions decision. Please submit your unofficial transcript to regent.edu/items.

Non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES-approved company. For further details, please review the International Admissions Checklist on the International Students Admissions page.

International Applicants: Please visit the International Students Admissions page for a more detailed explanation of the Regent University application information and to determine whether or not you qualify as an international student.

*Upon conditional acceptance to the program by review of unofficial transcripts, Regent University’s Admissions Office will attempt to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institutions, which indicate successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. We will notify you if your previous institutions will not release transcripts directly to us.

Step 4: Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

2023-24 Residency Dates

Fall 2023

• October 23-27, 2023 – COM 700 Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication

Spring 2024

No residencies

Summer 2024

• June 3-7, 2024 – COM 700 Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication & COM 730 Academic Writing for Publication

• June 10-14, 2024 – COM 785 Doctoral Seminar: Rhetoric & COM 703 Qualitative Methods

Residency Requirements

Residency is a necessary component to building academic fellowship and camaraderie among a community of scholars. Each academic year prior to admission to candidacy, doctoral students are required to take at least one class that is offered for residency. Residencies are typically offered during fall break and in the first two weeks of June on the Virginia Beach campus. All doctoral students must attend a 3-credit hour on-campus course, COM 700 Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Communication, scheduled for one week in the student’s first semester of study. This week is a daily, intensive reading/lecture/writing course in the field of communication studies. The course is also designed to orient students to the doctoral program, the School’s faculty, and doctoral-level study in the communication field.

Doctoral students have a seven-year limit within which they are expected to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Doctoral course offerings are normally on a 12-month rotation so that full-time students can complete their required coursework in a 24 to 36 month time period.

As a Regent University doctoral student, you will complete original research supervised by a faculty member of your school. You will reach milestones for your dissertation as you complete your coursework for the Ph.D. in Communication program.

These milestones include:

• Exploring a dissertation topic
• Crafting a proposal
• Drafting your dissertation
• Implementing your dissertation design
• Defense of your dissertation

Discover previous dissertations submitted for the Ph.D. in Communication.

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

• B.A. in Communication Studies
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Advertising-Public Relations
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Internet & Social Media
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Journalism
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Organizational Communication
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Professional & Technical Writing
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Rhetoric & Public Culture
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Strategic Communication
• B.A. in Communication Studies – Undeclared
• B.A. in English
• B.A. in English – Communication
• BFA in Acting
• BFA in Graphic Design
• B.S. in Business – Marketing
• B.S. in Professional Studies – Communication Studies
• B.S. in Professional Studies – English
• Certificate of Graduate Studies in Theatre Practices
• Doctor of Strategic Communication
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)
• M.A. in Communication
• M.A. in Communication – Media & Arts Management & Promotion
• M.A. in Communication – Political Communication
• M.A. in Communication – Strategic Communication
• M.A. in Journalism
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Human Resource Development
• Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership – Organizational Leadership