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About the Department

photo of Burton Hall

Since the inception in the 1920s, the University of Oklahoma Department of Communication has been committed to a social scientific approach to the study of the nature, process and effects of human communicative behavior.

The OU Department of Communication provides a broad-based liberal arts education and promotes communication research and development.

Communication courses explore the process of human interaction in interpersonal, intercultural and political contexts. Graduates from the OU Department of Communication find challenging careers in higher education, management, public relations, consulting and government.

Our graduate program is ranked among the finest in the country and is considered to be one of the major centers of communication research in the world. Our faculty and graduate students take pride in the department's excellent reputation among peer doctoral-granting departments throughout the United States. The department offers both a master of arts program and a doctor of philosophy program.

Through grants, publications, honors, and research projects, the faculty represents the finest combination of excellence in teaching and research. Professors in OU's Department of Communication have won numerous awards, including severaI prestigious university teaching awards. The department also is home to three Fulbright Scholars. OU communication scholars have produced a prolific amount of research, with more than 50 books, nearly 200 journal articles and book chapters, and more than 250 convention papers in the last ten years-ranking them among the top 20 programs in the nation.

To be eligible for enrollment for graduate study in the Department of Communication, the student must be admitted to the University, the Graduate College, and the Department of Communication. Students seeking admission in full standing must meet the admission requirements of the Department of Communication as well as the requirements established by the Graduate College.

Graduate admissions and requirements for the application process are available via the Graduate College's Website.

All admission materials for the Department of Communication must be submitted to the Graduate College's online system available here.

Master of Arts

Master's students may follow one of the two options in planning their program: (1) the non-thesis program requiring a minimum of 32 hours of course work and a comprehensive examination or (2) the thesis program requiring a minimum of 26 hours of course work and a thesis with oral examination. Students are encouraged to take course work outside the department; however, a minimum of 24 hours must be in Communication.

Learn More About Our Master Program Here

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. in the Department of Communication requires at least 96 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. The 96 or more hours must be in a planned course of study approved and overseen by the student's advisory committee. The student's planned program will often contain more than the minimum 96 hours. Additionally, completion of a minimum of six to nine semester hours in each of two research tools normally is required.

Learn More About Our PhD Program Here

The Office of Admissions and Records has charge of all matters pertaining to general admission to the University. Admission and enrollment in the Graduate College are governed by the college's dean, and in most cases, students also must be recommended for admission by the Department of Communication. The application deadline is January 15th of each year for full funding consideration. If January 15th falls on a weekend, materials will be due on the following business day. Funding is unlikely for applications after January 15. You may also apply by April 15 for fall admissions or by October 15 for Spring admissions but with limited opportunities for funding.