Annenberg is interdisciplinary by design. Members of the faculty and students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including Communication, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, History, and Law. Students are also encouraged to supplement their Communication courses with those offered through one of Penn's 11 other distinguished schools. The result is a vibrant intellectual experience that trains students to apply and adapt diverse theories and methods to the cutting-edge communication issues of the twenty-first century.
All doctoral students are fully funded for up to five years, including tuition and fees, health care, teaching and research fellowships, and dissertation research fellowships. All students also receive yearly research and travel funds, allowing them to develop their research and present it at major national and international conferences. In addition to formal classes, students are able to work with faculty on grant-and center-supported projects, attend and participate in frequent colloquia and workshops, and engage in research and learning opportunities around the globe " all designed to enhance their intellectual growth and professional training.
Annenberg alumni go on to productive and fulfilling careers in academia as well as in research-oriented private and public-sector institutions.
The Annenberg Ph.D. program represents a five-year commitment. In addition to satisfactory completion of the core courses, all students are required to take a noncredit proseminar as well as introductory classes in research methods and statistics. In order to progress to dissertation stage, candidates must complete the following milestones: Qualifications Evaluation, Comprehensive Exams, and Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defense.

