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I.1 Program Overview

Handbook 2026–2027 I. Program Overview

I.1.1 Major Areas of Graduate Training The following represent major areas of graduate study offered in our program. These scholarly foci originate in our department's founding and represent prominent sub-disciplines in the field of communication. One of the ...

II.1 Introduction

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

Completion of the PhD requires that the student first obtain a Master of Arts (MA) degree. Students admitted to the MA/PhD track earn their MA degree at UCSB as outlined in this section.

II.2 Time to MA Degree

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

Time to Degree is the number of years considered to be reasonable by the faculty of an individual department for completion of an MA degree by a full-time student in that program. In the Department of Communication, full time students are expected to complete ...

II.3 MA Degree Requirements

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

To earn an MA degree students must: Complete a minimum of 44 units in the MA portion of the program Complete course requirements Successful defense of a Master’s thesis II.3.1 Degree Milestones & Good Progress Deadlines Milestone Recommended by Required ...

II.4 MA Coursework Requirements

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

For more detail on specific courses see the UCSB Course Catalog. Also see more information about III.5 Opt-out of Required Courses. II.4.1 Required Coursework Students entering the MA/PhD program must successfully complete the following 4 core courses during ...

II.5 Sample Progress & Progress Benchmarks

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

The plan below shows one way to complete the MA portion of the program on time. It is illustrative, not prescriptive — the order of electives and the survey course is flexible, and students should build an actual plan with their MA advisor and confirm it with ...

II.6 MA Advisor & MA Committee

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

II.6.1 MA Advisor’s Role MA students must select a ladder faculty advisor who will guide their plan of study, oversee their degree progress and research, and chair their MA committee. See V.1 Advising for more detail on advising policy and norms. See VI.5 APP...

II.7 MA Thesis

Handbook 2026–2027 II. Master of Arts Degree

II.7.1 Nature and Scope The thesis is typically an empirical research project that addresses an important issue in communication. It may be based on data gathered by the student or on data available from other sources. The thesis is typically a collaborative ...

III.1 Introduction

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The PhD in the Department of Communication is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, and the ability to conduct rigorous and meaningful original research. All students must first obtain a thesis-based MA degree from UCSB or another accredited...

III.2 Time to PhD Degree

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Time to Degree is the number of years considered to be reasonable by the faculty of an individual department for completion of a PhD by a full-time student in that program. Students with an MA from UCSB are expected to complete the PhD in three years Students...

III.3 PhD Degree Requirements

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

To earn an PhD degree students must: Complete a minimum of 66 units beyond the MA (students entering with a UCSB MA) or 86 units (students entering with an MA from another institution) Complete course requirements listed below Successfully defend a PhD Disser...

III.4 PhD Coursework Requirements

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

For more detail on specific courses see the UCSB Course Catalog. Also see more information about III.5 Opt-out of Required Courses. III.4.1 Required Coursework Students must successfully complete the following 5 core courses during the Phd portion of their de...

III.5 Opt-out of Required Courses

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Who Can Opt-Out? Students can petition to opt out of the following courses under the following circumstances: Those students entering UCSB with an MA who have previous comparable or advanced training in research methods/statistics and wish to opt-out of COMM ...

III.6 Sample Programs of Study

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

There is no single way to progress through the program. As long as all requirements are completed in a timely fashion, the order in which courses are taken is up to the student and their advisor. The plans below are illustrative, not prescriptive. Two versions...

III.7 Interdisciplinary Emphases

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

Several interdisciplinary programs are available for doctoral students to obtain cross-training in the theories and methods of other disciplines that approach the same area of study, but from different perspectives. Please contact the Graduate Director for whi...

III.8 PhD Advisor & Committee

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

III.8.1 Deadlines for Selecting Advisor and Committee Members Ideally, the PhD advisor should be chosen by: MA/PhD students: end of the Spring quarter of year 1 in the doctoral phase of their program PhD students: end of Spring quarter in year 1 of the prog...

III.9 Qualifying Examination

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

III.9.1 Purpose of the Qualifying Exam The qualifying exam process is designed to serve several purposes. To test a student's conceptual mastery of influential theories and research within the student's chosen area of study: interpersonal, organizational, or...

III.10 Doctoral Dissertation

Handbook 2026–2027 III. Doctor of Philosophy Degree

III.10.1 Nature and Scope The dissertation represents the culmination of a student's intellectual and scholarly growth. The dissertation should be an original piece of research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge within the field of communicati...