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An alumna: Regent University offers a PhD in Communications online.

Ph.D. in Communication

Advance Your Communications Career with a Ph.D.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication is offered online with a one-week summer residency in Virginia Beach. You’ll receive broad interdisciplinary training in your teachings, scholarly writing, and research as you explore communication studies through a Christian worldview. You can become a better communicator and scholar while making a lasting impact whether as a writer, teacher, speaker, or thought leader.

Online w/ Residency
64+
May 12, 2025
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Increase Your Earning Potential

Advance in leadership roles with higher salary opportunities.

Strengthen Your Academic Career

Practice academic writing and presentation of scholarship in conference papers, journals, and books.

Enhance Your Skills Through the Ph.D. in Communication

Gain a comprehensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Deepen Your Understanding

Study how people process and understand mediated global, interpersonal, and organizational communication.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the online Ph.D. in Communication degree, you can:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods of communication research.
  • Apply your knowledge of the history of communication and various theories.
  • Apply your academic writing skills for publication, including conference papers, academic journals, book chapters, and academic books.

Career Opportunities

  • Professorship
  • Executive leadership
  • Media relations
  • Media/market analysis
  • Research
  • Writing
$85Thousand
Approximate mean annual wage for communications teachers, postsecondary, 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Featured Courses
COM 685Masters Seminar3
Special topics courses focusing on specific subdisciplines or involving broad interdisciplinary study. May be taken more than once under varying titles. Taught online unless part of a required residency.
COM 700Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Communication3
Residency Course. Provides overview of the historical roots, methodological grounding and trends in the communication field with particular attention to its specialized vocabulary, important writers and works, and significant scholarly journals. Computer literary sessions for distance learning, library resources for distance learning and graduate-level writing style form are included.
COM 701Communication Research: Historical/Critical Methodologies3
An in-depth survey, analysis and practice of current humanities and arts research approaches and methodologies used in the study of communication and the arts.
COM 702Communication Research: Quantitative Methodologies3
Advanced study of classic and contemporary social science research methodologies and statistics utilized in the study of communication. Students must have previously had a graduate-level social science methods course at another institution, COM 601 or another equivalent experience.
COM 703Communication Research: Qualitative Methodologies3
Advanced study of ethnography, focus group interview techniques, participant observation, in-depth personal interview and other methodologies currently employed in the communication field.
COM 704Communication Research: Applied Methods3
Advanced application of social science research methods and statistics, qualitative research methods, or historical-critical research methods to communication study. Focus on conducting original research using one of these three methodologies in preparation for dissertation work and producing scholarship. May be repeated for credit one time. Prerequisites: Two of the following courses: COM 701, COM 702, COM 703.
COM 705Advanced Communication Theory3
An interdisciplinary examination of the most current theories, scholarship, published research and trends and issues in all areas within the communication and arts fields.
COM 708History of Communication3
Interdisciplinary analysis of communication history, with special focus on the emergence and influence of communication systems and technologies on societies and cultures observed through a biblical lens.
COM 709Theology & Communication3
The ontological, epistemological and axiological dimensions of the process of communication are examined and critiqued from a theological perspective. Prerequisite: COM 705.
COM 730Academic Writing for Publication2-3
Residency Course. Academic writing and presentation of scholarship in the field of communication study, including preparation of conference papers, program proposals, academic journals, book chapters, and academic books. Prerequisites: COM 701, COM 702, or COM 703. May be repeated for credit one time for up to 4 credit hours total.
COM 797Qualifying Examination3
Doctoral students will register for three credit hours in the semester in which they first take both the written and oral portions of the qualifying examination. This course does not apply to the coursework (pre-qualifying examination) aspect of the individual degree program. Pass/No Pass.
COM 799Continuing Dissertation Credit1-6
Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation. After passing qualifying examination, the doctoral candidate must remain registered with three (3) continuing dissertation credits every academic semester until the dissertation manuscript is successfully defended. All students must complete a minimum of nine credits over three semesters (not including summer terms).

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit a Graduate Degree Paper

Please submit a five-page minimum scholarly or published writing sample that demonstrates your research, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. This writing sample may include either a copy of your master’s thesis (or a portion of it, plus bibliography) or a formal paper or report. Research skills mean both the skill to utilize a writing style manual (e.g., APA) and the skill of integrating published research into an academic paper or report. The paper should be uploaded to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Faculty Interview

Interviews for the Ph.D. in Communication are by invitation only after review of the completed application. These required interviews are conducted online, and you must have both a webcam and microphone to participate. Your admissions counselor will provide information regarding interview days/times for you to register once your file is complete.

Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The School of Communication & the Arts reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission to the program.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA)$9206$5,520
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)$9503$2,850
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC)$9503$2,850

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA)$9209$8,280
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)$9506$5,700
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC)$9506$5,700

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA)$6706$4,020
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA)$9206$5,520
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)$9503$2,850
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC)$9503$2,850

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production (MFA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting (MFA)$6709$6,030
Master of Fine Arts in Acting (MFA)$9209$8,280
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)$9506$5,700
Doctor of Strategic Communication (DSC)$9506$5,700

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Fall 2024

October 21-25, 2024
COM 700 – Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication (Ph.D.)

Spring 2025

No residencies.

Summer 2025

June 2-6, 2025
COM 700 – Intro to Doctoral Studies in Communication (Ph.D.)
COM 730 – Academic Writing for Publication (Ph.D.)

June 9-13, 2025
COM 785 – Doctoral Seminar: International Business Communication (Ph.D.)
COM 703 – Qualitative Methods (Ph.D.)

Residency Requirements

Residency is a necessary component to building academic fellowship and camaraderie among a community of scholars. Each academic year prior to admission to candidacy, doctoral students are required to take at least one class that is offered for residency. Residencies are typically offered during fall break and in the first two weeks of June on the Virginia Beach campus. All doctoral students must attend a 3-credit hour on-campus course, COM 700 Introduction to Doctoral Studies in Communication, scheduled for one week in the student’s first semester of study. This week is a daily, intensive reading/lecture/writing course in the field of communication studies. The course is also designed to orient students to the doctoral program, the School’s faculty, and doctoral-level study in the communication field.

Doctoral students have a seven-year limit within which they are expected to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Doctoral course offerings are normally on a 12-month rotation so that full-time students can complete their required coursework in a 24 to 36 month time period.

As a Regent University doctoral student, you will complete original research supervised by a faculty member of your school. You will reach milestones for your dissertation as you complete your coursework for the Ph.D. in Communication program.

These milestones include:

  • Exploring a dissertation topic
  • Crafting a proposal
  • Drafting your dissertation
  • Implementing your dissertation design
  • Defense of your dissertation

Discover previous dissertations submitted for the Ph.D. in Communication.

Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.

“I took a trip to the campus and was blown away by the beauty of the school. What actually won me over to finally pursue an advanced degree was the professional resources offered by the School of Communication & the Arts, as well as the curriculum.”
Jonathan Santiago, M.A., 2012 Digital Media
“Your time in school, and certainly at Regent, molds how you think, molds how you approach things … Regent offers a serious academic environment that provides for growth in those areas.”
Chris Connelly, M.A. in Public Policy, 1998; Ph.D. in Communication, 2020 Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler
“I truly believe God called me to be a journalist. Perhaps one of the most important lessons that I learned from Regent is to tell stories as best as I can through the lens of God. ”
Ashley Smith, M.A. in Journalism, 2013 Daybreak Anchor and Traffic/News Reporter, 13News Now (WVEC)
“When I started my master's in Summer 2017, I had no idea what was ahead. I'm thankful for everything I was able to learn during my time at Regent and know it will open doors.”
Amber Huckaby, M.A. in Film-Television, 2020