Principles and Procedures

We encourage our doctoral students to think about their dissertation research before they arrive and we ask that applicants to the PhD program submit essays that state a clear and concise research agenda that matches with those supported and initiated by our faculty members.

Upon entry into the doctoral program, we urge our doctoral students to begin exploring literature and methodologies pertinent to their particular research interests and to begin identifying specific faculty members, both in and out of the department, who can serve as their dissertation committee members.

We recognize that extremely advanced coursework in our department, as well as in departments throughout the School and the University, contribute to the students’ intellectual development, and help to give students actual experiences in carrying out their research projects.

Our faculty have determined that two years of full-time coursework study, beyond a master’s degree or the equivalent, is sufficient, so that students move quickly toward pursuing their dissertation work more exclusively in the third year of study, accompanied by teaching and research opportunities that will help prepare them for academic positions that require them to teach and conduct research in the general field of media, culture, and communication.

Students admitted to the PhD program in Media, Culture, and Communication without an MA degree may be asked to complete up to six more credits of coursework toward degree fulfillment.

Coursework Requirements

Total Credits: 48  (54 for students without a master's degree)

Doctoral Seminars (12 credits)

• MCC-GE 3100 Doctoral Core Seminar I, 4 credits
• MCC-GE 3200 Doctoral Core Seminar II, 4 credits
• MCC-GE 3101 Intro to Communication Research, 4 credits

Theoretical or Disciplinary Foundational Study (outside Department)

• 12 credits by advisement

Research and Method Electives (inside or outside Department)

• 10-12 credits by advisement*

Specialized Elective Courses (inside Department)

• 12-14 credits by advisement*

* Note: 2 credits may vary between Research/Method and Specialized Electives

Click here for full descriptions of all doctoral course work requirements.

Advancing Toward the Degree: Suggested Guidelines

1^st year

• MCC-GE 3100 Doctoral Core Seminar I, 4 credits (fall semester)
• MCC-GE 3101 Intro to Communication Research, 4 credits (fall or spring semester)
• MCC-GE 3200 Doctoral Core Seminar II, 4 credits (spring semester)
• Additional 12 credits by advisement (12 credits total per semester)
• First-year General Theories Exam: (May or June)

2^nd year

• 24 credits by advisement (12 credits per semester)

3^rd year

• MCC-GE 3201 Dissertation Proposal Seminar, 1 credit (fall semester)
• Dissertation Specialization Exam (in student’s research specialization areas) is taken in the beginning of the third year and is a prerequisite to dissertation proposal review
• Completion of remaining credits (if any) by advisement
• Completion of dissertation proposal and advancing to candidacy

4^th and 5^th years

• Completion of dissertation
• Final Oral Examination

See the department PhD Handbook for a checklist to track completion of specific requirements.

The Office of Graduate Studies in NYU Steinhardt provides a Handbook for Doctoral Study, which is a general guide to policies and procedures. In some instances, the Steinhardt Bulletin should be consulted for more detailed information.

Note: Media, Culture, and Communication students have different coursework requirements than those listed in the school’s handbook. However, all other school-wide policies and procedures do apply to students in Media, Culture, and Communication.