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
2024-25 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 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit a Graduate Degree 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. The paper should be uploaded to regent.edu/items.
Step 4: Submit Your 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.
Step 5: Faculty Interview
Interviews for the Ph.D. in Communication are by invitation only after review of the completed application. These required interviews are conducted online, and you must have both a webcam and microphone to participate. Faculty will provide information regarding interview days/times for you to register once your file is complete.
Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The School of Communication & the Arts reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission to the program.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
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 Film & Television Production (MFA) | $700 | 6 | $4,200 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $1,070 | 6 | $6,420 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $970 | 3 | $2,910 |
| Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $970 | 3 | $2,910 |
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 Film & Television Production (MFA) | $700 | 9 | $6,300 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA) | $1,070 | 9 | $9,630 |
| Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD) | $970 | 6 | $5,820 |
| Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC) | $970 | 6 | $5,820 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
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 Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 6 | $4,020 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (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 Film & Television Production (MFA) | $670 | 9 | $6,030 |
| Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (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 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Summer 2025
June 2-6, 2025
COM 700 – Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication (Ph.D.)
COM 730 – Academic Writing for Publication (Ph.D.)
June 9-13, 2025
COM 785 – Doctoral Seminar: International Business Communication (Ph.D.)
COM 703 – Qualitative Methods (Ph.D.)
Fall 2025
October 27-31, 2025
COM 700 – Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication (Ph.D.)
Spring 2026
No residencies.
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.
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