COMMU-PHD - Communication (PhD)

Students who completed graduate coursework at another institution are encouraged to begin the process of transferring course units in the Winter quarter of their first year of doctoral study. Transfer of units will be evaluated by the Director of Graduate Studies on a course by course basis. Graduate work accepted for transfer of residency does not automatically exempt a student from having to complete a course requirement for the degree. University policies related to transfer of  credit for graduate work done elsewhere is located in G.AP 3.2.1 Residency Policy for Graduate Students.

The Department of Communication is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

Students are assigned a temporary advisor upon admission to the department. By the end of the third quarter of the first year, students confirm in writing that they will remain with or change their advisor. The faculty advisor must be an Academic Council member and a member of the Communication department.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

It is the responsibility of the student to meet with their advisor at least once per quarter during the academic year to discuss academic standing and graduate degree progress.

In addition, the Director of Graduate Studies is always available to Ph.D. students for consultation.

Requirements and milestones, as well as more detailed descriptions of the program's expectations of advisors and students, are listed in the "Degree Requirements and Department Procedures for Ph.D. Students and Ph.D. Advisors" available on the department website.