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MISSION STATEMENT
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications, a professional school grounded strongly in
the liberal arts, holds full national accreditation for its graduate and undergraduate programs. In its earliest
mission, the School's "core values" emphasized the education and training of undergraduate students for
careers in print journalism. Beginning in the mid-1960s, the School extended its teaching mission to
encompass graduate study at the master's degree level, preparing recent graduates and those pursuing
mid-career changes for professional careers. The School enrolled its first Ph.D. students in the fall of 1995.
The Ph.D. is designed to meet the needs of outstanding graduate students who wish to prepare for teaching
and research positions in colleges and universities or research positions in the print or electronic media,
advertising agencies, marketing, public relations or opinion research firms, business or government.
Ph.D. PROGRAM
I. Program Purposes and Philosophy
The doctoral program in mass communication is interdisciplinary and is tailored to meet the needs of each
student. Each students course of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the
students faculty adviser and will vary with the background, professional interests and aspirations of each
doctoral candidate.
The doctorate will be awarded only to students who demonstrate (1) a wide variety of research
methodologies applicable to the study of mass communication, (2) an understanding of a substantive
area in mass communication, (3) an understanding of a substantive area in another discipline, and (4) an
ability to develop and conduct independent research.
In most doctoral programs, much of the learning of the subject matter and the norms and expectations of
the academy is accomplished outside the classroom. Doctoral students are expected to work closely with
their faculty advisers and fellow students while in the program. A small, flexible, highly individualized
doctoral program such as this one lends itself to this kind of mentoring. One important objective of such
mentoring is for the faculty adviser to explain to the student just what it takes to succeed in the profession.
Research collaboration with faculty and with other doctoral students is also encouraged.
II. Learning Objectives/Outcomes for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
A. General Statement
The Ph.D. offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South
Carolina is a
resear ch
degree. Doctoral students are expected to engage in research projects while
enrolled in the program and to participate in professional activities such as presenting papers at scholarly
and professional meetings, publishing in journals, and the like. Doctoral students are expected to
become student members of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the
primary professional organization serving the mass communication field, as well as other organizations
related to their field of study. By attending conferences sponsored by such organizations, doctoral
students can meet colleagues with whom they will work throughout their professional careers.
Students will be expected to acquire a wide range of knowledge, to try different projects and work at
different depths of analyzing data. At times, students will work as junior partners in research projects with
their faculty adviser or other faculty members. At other times, a student will be expected to attempt a solo
project, designing, researching and writing independently.