The PhD in Strategic Communication offers advanced instruction in risk communication, and crisis communication; it prepares students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a successful, advanced career in communication and related fields in both academic and applied settings.
Strategic communication, one of the fastest-growing areas situated within the broader field of communication, is an innovative and unique subfield. It is distinct from other communication subfields in that it is intentionally goal-driven communication wherein communication scholars work in partnership with professionals in the public and private sectors to solve real-world problems.
The Strategic Communication PhD requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree. The zero-hour Doctoral Colloquium will be required in the fall semesters of the first year. This course will introduce students to professional standards and practices associated with doctoral-level training in the field of Strategic Communication.
Total Credit Hours Required: 60 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Master's Degree
Program Prerequisites
An earned master's degree or its equivalent in Communication or a related field. The Director of Graduate Studies will evaluate the suitability and applicability of M.A. or M.S. degrees in other related disciplines for admission purposes.
Degree Requirements
Colloquium
0 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- COM7920 - Doctoral Colloquium (99)
Core Requirements
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- COM7236 - Seminar in Risk and Crisis Communication (3)
- COM7464 - Theory Building for Strategic Communication (3)
- COM7529 - Strategic Communication (3)
- COM7815 - Risk Communication (3)
- COM6401 - Communication Theory (3)
Research Requirements
12 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- COM6303 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication (3)
- COM6304 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication (3)
- COM7325 - Seminar in Research Methods (3)
- SPC7685 - Rhetorical Criticism of Strategic Communication (3)
- Students may substitute a research methods course that supports their specific research program for COM7325 with advisor approval.
- COM7325 is repeatable once, if taken a second time, it will be considered an elective.
- Students without recent research coursework may be required to take COM5312 in addition to the research courses listed above.
Community Engagement Requirement
3 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- COM6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
- COM7528 - Communication and Community Engagement (1 - 99)
- COM 6946 Internship may also be taken
Unrestricted Electives
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- In addition to the courses listed below, special topics courses, study abroad courses, independent study, directed research, internship, and other graduate-level courses may be counted as restricted electives, pending approval by the program director, for up to 6 credit hours total. Note: Non-NSCM courses might not be offered on the Downtown campus and will require students to attend the course at the UCF Main campus.
- Earn at least 15 credits from the following:
- COM5932 - Topics in Communication Theory and Research (3)
- COM6046 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
- COM6121 - Communication Management (3)
- COM6145 - Organizational Communication (3)
- COM6463 - Studies in Intercultural Communication (3)
- COM6467 - Studies in Persuasion (3)
- COM6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
- COM7227 - Seminar in Health Communication (3)
- COM7325 - Seminar in Research Methods (3)
- COM7745 - Current Issues in Communication (3)
- MMC6307 - International Communication (3)
- MMC6567 - New Media (3)
- MMC6600 - Media Effects and Audience Analysis (3)
- MMC6735 - Social Media as Mass Communication (3)
- PUR6005 - Theories of Public Relations (3)
- PUR6215 - Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (3)
- PUR6403 - Crisis Public Relations (3)
- SPC6340 - Teaching Communication (3)
- COM 6946 Internship may also be taken
Dissertation
15 Total Credits
- Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: COM 7980 Dissertation Research
Grand Total Credits: 60
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
