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Areas of Study
Although graduate study in communication at OSU is very flexible and tailored to the individual, coursework and individual study will take place within the context of theoretical perspectives grounded in empirical social science. OSU's School of Communication is one of the top-3 graduate programs in communication in the country, and is also top ranked in many of its specialty areas.
Program Fundamentals: Theory and Methods
One cannot understand current thinking about the nature of communication without an understanding of a range of theoretical approaches and the methods used to test and refine theories. The OSU School of Communication is top-ranked in the study of communication theory and is a top-ten program in the study of communication methods. Both the master's and Ph.D. programs begin with an examination of the basic research methods and theories that serve to guide students in selection of a particular area of study and the choice of an adviser. This set of courses provides students with an understanding of contemporary theory and methods that span the broad field of communication. After gaining a foothold in the current state of the field, students specialize in the area of their choice. Faculty in the Graduate Program of the School of Communication offer particular expertise in one or more specializations: Communication Technology, Health Communication and Social Influence, Mass Communication, Political Communication and Public Opinion. After mastering the basic research methods and theory courses, students begin to develop their own expertise and knowledge through specialization in a particular area.
Teaching and research in these areas are centered on the complex relationships between audiences, communicators and media.
Master's students focus on the social and psychological processes involved in communication and/or the relationship between communication and society. In addition to courses directly related to their communication interests, students may take some courses in sociology, psychology or other social sciences. Many of our M.A. students pursue a Ph.D. after the completion of their M.A. Learn more about the M.A. program.
Doctoral students focus on the theoretical and methodological study of communication, including understanding communication processes and effects by individuals and organizations. Most doctoral students in this area enter academic careers and go on to teach and research in communication programs around the world. Some enter media or entertainment industries as research directors, and some work in government agencies as communication specialists. Learn more about the Ph.D. program.
Communication Technology and Society
The study of audience interactions with traditional and developing communication media provides a context and theoretical framework for understanding the current communication environment in addition to developing skills needed for communication specialists in the new century. OSU's School of Communication is one of the top programs in the country for the study of communication technology. For more information about research at the School in this area, visit the CATS blog.
A number of faculty members are interested in the study of communication and technology, including Professors Appiah, David, Dervin, Dimmick, Eveland, Garrett, Kline, Knoblock-Westerwick, Mahood, Pingree, Sohn, Van der Hiede, Wang, and Westerwick.
Health Communication and Social Influence
Health Communication and Social Influence includes the study of efforts to change personal and social behaviors through use of the mass and interpersonal means, media effects on health behavior (including advertising, news, new media and entertainment), provider-patient communication, social support, media and health policy, patient disclosure and compliance, and health information-seeking, among other topics. OSU's School of Communication is a top-ten graduate program in the areas of health communication, advertising, and persuasion. For more information about research at the School in this area, visit the CHASSIS blog.
Faculty who typically work with students in this area include Appiah, David, Ewoldsen, Kam, Kline, Lee, Powers, Raup-Krieger, Rios-Morrison, Slater, and Sohn.
Mass Communication Uses and Effects
Mass Communication includes work on all forms of mass media, including television, print media, movies, video games and music for both entertainment as well as informational and persuasive purposes. Students learn about the media selection process, motivations for using media and selecting one media form or content over another, and the individual and societal level effects of media use. OSU's School of Communication is highly ranked in the study of broadcasting & media, television, and children and media, For more information about research at the School in this area, visit the ATM blog.
Faculty who typically work with students in this area include Dimmick, Ewoldsen, Eveland, Holbert, Knobloch-Westerwick, Lee, Mahood, McCluskey, McDonald, Moyer-Guse, Nathanson, Nisbet, Ortiz, Ross, and Wang.
Political Communication and Public Opinion
Research and course work in this area focus on the the role of communication, both mass and interpersonal, in civic and political life. Students will explore political and social contexts for understanding the nature and impacts of aggregate opinion as well as the perception and expression of those opinions. The will learn to evaluate the role of mediated and interpersonal processes for the health of democracy in the U.S. and abroad. OSU's School of Communication is a highly-ranked program in the study of newspapers, news, public opinion, politics & government, democracy, and political elections. For more information about research at the School in this area, visit the COPS blog.
Faculty who typically work with students interested in political communication and public opinion include Eveland, Garrett, Glynn, Hayes, Holbert, Kosicki, McCluskey, Nisbet, and Pingree.
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