Communication and Media Studies - PhD

The world needs people who understand media and communications. As a student in the Department of Communication, Media and Film, you will develop a critical perspective on how communication, media and film represent and shape our lives. You will also gain marketable research and communication skills.

This thesis-based degree is designed for students who want to pursue a research or scholarly career. Some of our focus areas include: animation studies, Canadian cinema, communication infrastructure, digital media and social movements, internet policy, rhetoric studies, and visual culture studies. We encourage students to develop their own unique programs of study that reach beyond traditional topics and discipline boundaries.

Completing this program

• Core Courses: Students take courses in interdisciplinary approaches to communication and media studies and research methods.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both written and oral candidacy exams.
• Additional Courses: Topics may include critical media studies, communication infrastructure, environmental communication issues, media and politics and more.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT including TOEFL iBT Home Edition) minimum score of 86 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 (with no section less than 6.0).
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 180.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59 or higher
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) overall score of 70 (no section less than 60).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) minimum of B+ in each course.
• Duolingo English Test obtaining a minimum score of 125 (with no sub-score below 105).

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Academic careers; private sector: communication/media/film related companies, companies dependent on digital media, wifi services; public sector: non-profit organizations, government positions dependent on digital communication.

A PhD in communication and media studies is usually considered a final degree.