Ph.D. in Communication
Advance Your Communications Career with a Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication is offered online with a one-week summer residency in Virginia Beach. You’ll receive broad interdisciplinary training in your teachings, scholarly writing, and research as you explore communication studies through a Christian worldview. You can become a better communicator and scholar while making a lasting impact whether as a writer, teacher, speaker, or thought leader.
Increase Your Earning Potential
Advance in leadership roles with higher salary opportunities.
Strengthen Your Academic Career
Practice academic writing and presentation of scholarship in conference papers, journals, and books.
Enhance Your Skills Through the Ph.D. in Communication
Gain a comprehensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Deepen Your Understanding
Study how people process and understand mediated global, interpersonal, and organizational communication.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the online Ph.D. in Communication degree, you can:
- Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods of communication research.
- Apply your knowledge of the history of communication and various theories.
- Apply your academic writing skills for publication, including conference papers, academic journals, book chapters, and academic books.
Career Opportunities
- Professorship
- Executive leadership
- Media relations
- Media/market analysis
- Research
- Writing
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.
Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
---|---|---|
Session A | Friday, August 11 | Monday, August 21 |
Session E | Friday, April 26 | Monday, May 6 |
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. Email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SCA Doctoral Application Pieces or fax to 757.352.4725.
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 our Admissions Office by email to apply@regent.edu using the subject line: SCA Doctoral Application Pieces.
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 email a scanned copy or photograph of it to apply@regent.edu with the subject line: Government ID.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Part-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Television & Video Production (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 6 | $5,520 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Television & Video Production (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 9 | $8,280 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Television & Video Production (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 6 | $5,520 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 3 | $2,850 |
Full-Time Students
Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Master of Arts (MA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Television & Video Production (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $920 | 9 | $8,280 |
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $950 | 6 | $5,700 |
Student Fees Per Semester
University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $800 (Fall & Spring) $650 (Summer) |
University Services Fee (Online Students) | $650 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | Summer 2023 | |
---|---|---|---|
COM 700 | October 17-21, 2022 | N/A | June 5-9, 2023 |
COM 703 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
COM 730 | N/A | N/A | June 5-9, 2023 |
COM 785 | N/A | N/A | June 12-16, 2023 July 24-28, 2023 (Schedule TBD) |
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 and/or spring break weeks 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.
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