Graduate Programs
The graduate programs in the School of Media & Communication at Bowling Green State University offers students a variety of options to aid them in their academic and professional pursuits. The School offers both a PhD and an MA program through which students learn to teach and conduct research from highly accomplished faculty. The School prides itself in providing a collaborative environment where multiple perspectives and approaches to the study of media and communication thrive and contribute to mutual enrichment. We offer professional development programs for our students such as the colloquium series. As one of the nation’s most diverse graduate programs in media & communication, our graduate programs are founded on the principle of inclusiveness, which further enhances both the quantity and quality of scholarly activities. Learn more about SMC graduate programs via the LinkedIn Alumni Group.
As you explore our website, you will learn more about our mission, subject areas and research approaches utilized by our graduate faculty and students. I invite you to get to know us better by browsing this website, connecting with us through social media, contacting individual faculty members, and/or visiting us right here on the BGSU main campus.
Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you.
Louisa Ha, Ph.D.
Professor of Research Excellence, Interim Graduate Coordinator
School of Media & Communication
Bowling Green State University
PhD program
The PhD program allows for students to emphasize in one of the following areas of emphasis: Critical Media Studies & Rhetoric, Interpersonal Communication, and Media Audiences & Processes. Students who take part in the PhD program will work along world-class research faculty in the recently renovated Kuhlin Center.
In addition to the excellent facilities and areas of emphasis, we offer graduate assistantships to a select number of incoming students each year. Our GA assignments allow for PhD students to gain valuable experience in the classroom, teaching a variety of courses and assisting faculty in the classroom. First year GAs primarily teach the public speaking course. As they grow and develop they may advance to teach or assist other courses, like Communication Theory or Media Production. The assistantships entail scholarships that cover the instructional and non-residency fees, as well as a stipend that is quite competitive given that the cost of living in Bowling Green is 15% below the national average.
MA Program Specializations:
Master of Arts in Media and Communication (Generalist)
Only students in the non-online full-time MA programs may be eligible for graduate assistantship. Only a small group of master students will be selected for graduate assistantships.
Application Process
Application deadline for all SMC full-time non-online graduate programs:
October 15: Spring admission
January 15: Summer and Fall admissions (1st round, with higher chance of graduate assistantship offers)
April 30: Summer and Fall admissions (2nd round, with possibility of graduate assistantship offers)
To learn about application requirements, please click the following:
Media and Communications Application Process
If you have any questions about the program or assistantships, feel free to contact me by email (louisah@bgsu.edu) or telephone (419-372-9103). We look forward to hearing from you!
Contact Information
Louisa Ha, Interim Graduate Coordinator
306 Kuhlin Center
School of Media & Communication
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403
419-372-9103
louisah@bgsu.edu
Learning Outcomes – Doctor of Philosophy
Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students in Media and Communication are expected to be able to:
1. First year doctoral students can understand the following:
- History of the field, as well as the areas of emphasis within SMC.
- One method for conducting academic research.
- Some important theories related to Media & Communication.
2. Second year doctoral students can evaluate theories and research methods appropriate to test theories.
3. Third-year doctoral students can design theoretically driven research questions and propose new ways to obtain answers to the questions.
4. Fourth-year doctoral students can conduct research independently and compose a quality report based on it.
Learning Outcomes – Master of Arts
Upon completion of the Master's degree, students in Media and Communication are expected to be able to:
Thesis & Research Project Students:
1. MA students can understand the following:
- History of the field, as well as the areas of emphasis within SMC.
- Social science research methods or Humanistic research methods.
2. MA students can develop theoretically driven research questions and propose competent projects to answer those questions.
3. MA students can conduct a research project and compose a quality report based on it.
Upon completion of the Master's degree, Media and Communication students in the comprehensive exam option are expected to be able to understand the following:
- History of the field, as well as the areas of emphasis within SMC.
- Social science research methods or Humanistic research methods.
- Important theories related to Media and Communication
Upon completion of the Online Master's degree in Media and Communication with a specialization in strategic communication and social media, students are expected to be able to:
- Explain the discipline of strategic communication, including its relevant history and theories;
- Explain and apply at least one research method and its application in strategic planning;
- Describe the elements and activities that comprise strategic communication and social media campaigns, and
- Explain how strategic communication contributes to organizational success.
Accreditation and/or Program/Cluster Review
Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
The Media and Communication program is currently undergoing Program/Cluster Review.
Professional Licensure (If applicable)
Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.
Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Media and Communication program does not lead to professional licensure.
Updated: 03/28/2023 02:16PM