Drexel’s Communication, Culture & Media doctoral (PhD) degree program builds on a highly collegial culture. Faculty regard students as junior colleagues who teach their own courses and co-write conference papers, articles, and even books. The students carry this culture one-step further: On their own initiative, they collaboratively write professional papers. While students are always invited to participate in faculties’ ongoing projects, they may also develop their own original research projects with the support and guidance of faculty. An active graduate student association places student representatives on faculty committees.
Program Format
- Full-time, 90 credit program.
- 90 credit hours post-bachelor's.
- 45 credit hours post-master's.
Program Deadlines
The deadlines below are the dates by which applications must be submitted and all application requirements received.
- Fall (Domestic/International) – December 1
- No Spring or Summer intake.
Quicklinks
Program Overview
The PhD coursework is structured around a set of core courses; a set of seminars with rotating topics; and electives in lecture courses, independent study work and dissertation credit. Students are encouraged to take additional seminar courses, as they enable collaborative relationships with professors and introduce students to our scholarly community. The communication PhD program requires 90.0 credits in total, and is full time only.
Research Areas
Research in Drexel University's Department of Communication examines how communication, media, and emerging technologies shape culture, organizations, public life, and human relationships. Faculty investigate topics ranging from journalism, public relations, and media institutions to digital platforms, artificial intelligence, identity, and civic participation.
Research covers a wide range of topics. Some work on consumer culture and commodification, while others study health communication and political topics involving conflict and collective morality. A number work on projects affiliated with Drexel’s Center for Mobilities Research and Policy. New media studies is a common critical focus in research. In terms of research approaches, our communication graduate programs favor mixed methodologies. While some faculty conduct content, network and other statistical analyses, other are more qualitatively oriented, engaged in discourse analysis, in-depth interviews and ethnography.
Students work alongside internationally recognized faculty researchers with expertise in the following areas:
- Digital Media, Platforms and Public Culture
- Public Relations and Strategic Communication
- Journalism, Media Institutions and Democracy
- Discourse, Power and Identity
Communication Department Research
Recent Communication Publications
Recent Dissertations
Communication, Culture & Media (CCM) doctoral students complete dissertations on a wide range of topics. We proudly invite prospective students to review recent dissertations authored by our PhD in CCM degree recipients.
Recent Dissertations
Drexel Library: Theses, Dissertations and Projects