university of texas communication phd

Radio, Television and Film

Phd media studies, doctorate with concentration in media studies.

The doctoral program in Radio-Television-Film emphasizes critical and contextual approaches to the study of media objects, industries, and cultures. With globally recognized faculty specializing in a wide array of media studies subfields, you will study and research in your chosen field and be prepared to enter into a rapidly evolving media landscape. You will be trained in an interdisciplinary array of media studies methods centered in pedagogical and professional development.

Expert Faculty Mentors

Affordable Tuition and Fees

Graduate Student Support

Program of study.

The PhD with concentration in Media Studies is a scholarly degree incorporating coursework, comprehensive exams, and research culminating in a dissertation. Students are expected to present their work at conferences and produce original work that is worthy of publication. Students admitted to this program must have already earned an M.A. degree.

Learn more about the Program of Work .

Teaching and Research Areas

Digital Media

Analyze interactive and emergent media texts and platforms, participatory digital cultures, social media, and algorithmic culture.

Global Media

Study media texts, audiences, industries, and cultures from transnational, national, regional and diasporic perspectives.

History and Criticism

Examine the sociohistorical contexts of film and media and engage in aesthetic and critical analysis.

Identity and Representation

Explore media's impact on culture and identity through interdisciplinary courses that examine the politics of representation through gender, race, sexuality, citizenship, and more.

Media Industries

Engage in topics relating to creative labor, production, distribution, infrastructures, regulation, and exhibition.

Supporting Your Success

• Structured timeline for successful program completion
• Faculty mentorship
• Annual Review with detailed, constructive feedback
• High rate of success in job placement in the academy
• Pedagogy seminars and workshops
• Opportunities to teach stand-alone courses
• Internships with local media industry, festivals, policy institutions and cultural organizations
• Biannual professional development workshops
• Harry Ransom Center Film Research Collections
• Vast RTF resources at UT Libraries
• Editorial and organization roles for department-based journals
• Interdisciplinary and portfolio program  options (in areas such as African and African Diaspora Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, and more) 

Admissions Information

Meet our students, meet our faculty, see faculty books, program contacts.

Area Head Media Studies

Suzanne Scott

Graduate Advisor

Madhavi Mallapragada

Graduate Coordinator

Teresa Warner

Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-471-4071

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Communication studies, for more information, facilities for graduate work, areas of study, graduate studies committee, admission requirements.

Master of Arts Doctor of Philosophy

Campus address: Jesse H. Jones Communication Center (Academic) (CMA) A7.112, phone (512) 471-1942, fax (512) 471-3504; campus mail code: A1105

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Program, Department of Communication Studies, 2504 Whitis Avenue A1105, Austin TX 78712

E-mail: [email protected]

URL: http://commstudies.utexas.edu/

The graduate program provides students with a designated computer lab and access to a departmental printer. The Robert Hopper Lab is equipped with multi-platform computers (two Apple and two PC), statistical software packages, storage space, study space, lounge space, and research and collaboration space. Audio and video equipment is available to check out from the Moody College of Communication.  A Research Participation Software system is provided for graduate students to recruit undergraduate participants for research studies.   The program provides all students with cubicle or office space within the Moody College of Communication complex. In addition, facilities are available for testing, defenses, research, virtual interviews, and various graduate student needs.

The traditional master’s (Option I) and doctoral degree programs in communication studies provide training in the following areas: interpersonal communication, organizational communication and technology, and rhetoric, language, and political communication.

The Option III master's degree in communication studies provides training in strategic communication.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in communication studies is a research degree; doctoral students can expect opportunities to work closely with the faculty on research and to participate in the publication of research findings. All doctoral students are expected to achieve mastery of research design principles and methods appropriate to their program of study.

The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) in the spring 2023 semester.

Entering students must have a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited institution, and their undergraduate preparation should include at least nine semester hours of upper-division coursework in communication studies. All applicants must meet the Graduate School's  admission requirements .

Satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Each applicant’s credentials are scrutinized by each faculty member in the program. No single criterion, such as grade point average or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score, is given undue weight in the decision process; every attempt is made to assess the special strengths that the applicant might bring to the program.

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2023-2024 General Information Catalog

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Journalism and Media

Welcome to the school of journalism, starting here, changing the world, turn your talents into tools designed for the ever-changing world of new media..

We offer a modern blend of fundamental basics, such as writing and reporting, along with an innovative curriculum to prepare upcoming investigative reporters, social media editors, and data analysts.

Journalism has never been more important than it is today, and the University of Texas at Austin is at the forefront of educating students who want to uncover and tell stories that matter.

We have a strong track record of placing students in top internships and launching graduates into choice jobs across the media landscape. Our school benefits from a committed, well-placed network of alumni and friends. Graduates and faculty, past and present, have won more than 25 Pulitzer Prizes.

Whether you're planning to become a journalist or prepare yourself for the world of digital communication, our school is here to serve and challenge you.

Upcoming Events

Undergraduate Programs

We offer a curriculum designed to equip our students with the powerful new tools of the digital age while teaching critical thinking, writing skills, and journalistic sensibility to make those tools worth using.

Graduate Programs

The Journalism and Media graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin is among the premier graduate programs in the country. It offers three distinct degrees: a Ph.D. degree, a Master's Research and Theory degree, and a Journalism Pro-track Master's degree.

Speech, Language, and Hearing Science

Phd program overview, ph.d. program.

The doctoral program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is an individualized, mentored, and interdisciplinary research degree aimed at developing leaders in research, teaching, and professional service.  The SLHS Department strives to provide a comprehensive program of scholarship and education that will advance the understanding of normal processes in human communication sciences and related disorders across the life span. The aim of the program is to prepare PhD students for responsible and productive careers as teacher-scholars by enabling them to gain the necessary knowledge and skills in the primary disciplines of speech, language and hearing sciences. Faculty in the department as well as in other departments of the University make the program particularly appealing for students interested in communication sciences and disorders.  The program of study is guided by the major advisor and an advisory committee prior to candidacy. Post-candidacy, the dissertation is guided by the major advisor and a dissertation committee.

• Prospective Students

PhD Program Guide 2020-2021

General regulations.

A major portion of a graduate student's degree program must be completed under the supervision of the Graduate Faculty at The University of Texas at Austin. Each degree candidate must spend a minimum of three long semesters in residence at The University of Texas at Austin.

If a student plans not to be enrolled in a long semester, he or she must apply for a leave of absence. To re-enter, she/he must apply to the University for permission. The re-entry form is available from the Graduate Advisor. The application should be submitted as soon as possible after the student has made a decision to re-enter, especially if he/she has taken courses at another school in the interim.

If a student registers and withdraws before the 12th class day, he/she must reapply for admission to Graduate School or have his/her original admission extended by petition from the Graduate Advisor to the Dean of the Graduate School. If a student withdraws after the 12th class day of the first semester of graduate work and does not enroll for the following semester, he/she must see the Dean of Graduate Studies before registering again.

Credit is given for the grades of A, B, and C. Within the overall grade point average, a B average in all upper division and graduate courses in the major and minor fields of study is required. No major course with a grade of C or lower may be included on a work program.

No official time limit has been imposed for finishing the doctoral degree. However, all completed course work that is included on a student's degree program at the time of admission to candidacy must have been taken within the previous six years (exclusive of a maximum three years of military service). The dissertation defense must take place within three years of the student's admission to candidacy. If the student has not completed the dissertation within that time frame, the GSC and the Graduate School will conduct a review of the student's status at the three-year point and yearly thereafter to ensure that progress toward completion of the degree is being made.

General and specific requirements for degrees in the Graduate School are sometimes altered in successive catalogs. The student is bound by the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of admission. However, the student may choose to fulfill the requirements of a subsequent catalog in effect in any year in which he/she is enrolled in the Graduate School, within the six-year limit for courses included on the work program.

(NOTE: For Graduate School degree regulations, please see The Graduate Guide published by the Council of Graduate Students, or The Graduate School Catalog.)

Students are responsible for insuring that all relevant documentation is present in his or her advisor's file. Each student will provide his or her faculty advisor with copies of all papers written for courses (including those completed for courses outside the Department) in order to help the advisory committee monitor the student's development of academic writing skills.

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NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

University of texas, department of communication studies.

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Texas seeks to understand communication and to improve its practice in a variety of relationships. The department maintains graduate programs that are ranked in the top five nationally and maintain high standards for both graduate and undergraduate teaching.

Areas of Study

• Interpersonal Communication
• Organizational Communication & Technology
• Rhetoric, Language, and Political Communication

QS World University Rankings — Communication & Media Studies 

•  #5 of 200 World Universities 

URAP University Rankings — Language, Communication, & Culture

• #2 of 300 World Universities

Admission Requirements

• Official transcript(s) 
• Statement of purpose
• Brief essay of research questions
• CV or resume
• Writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation 

Graduate Faculty

• Associate Professor Dawna Ballard, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
• Professor Michael Butterworth, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Professor René Dailey, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
• Professor John Daly, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Associate Professor Erin Donovan, Ph.D., University of Illinois
• Professor Shiv Ganesh, Ph.D, Purdue University
• Professor Joshua Gunn, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
• Professor Roderick Hart, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
• Associate Professor Johanna Hartelius, Ph.D, University of Texas at Austin
• Professor Sharon Jarvis, Ph.D., University of Texas
• Professor Matthew McGlone, Ph.D., Princeton University
• Assistant Professor Roselia Mendez Murillo, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
• Professor Nik Palomares, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
• Assistant Professor, Ashwin Rajadesingan, Ph.D., University of Michigan
• Professor Craig Scott, Ph.D, Arizona State University
• Assistant Professor Samantha Shorey, Ph.D, University of Washington
• Professor Stacey Sowards, Ph.D., University of Kansas
• Professor Keri Stephens, Ph.D., University of Texas
• Professor Jürgen Streeck, Ph.D., Free University of Berlin
• Professor Natalie Jomini Stroud, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
• Associate Professor Scott Stroud, Ph.D., Temple University
• Professor Anita Vangelisti, Ph.D., University of Texas

NCA Awards Received by Faculty and Students, 2000-present

• Diamond Anniversary Book Award, 2012
• Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2016
• Knapp Award for Interpersonal Communication, 2016

Communication Studies

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Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences PhD

The PhD degree offers advanced study for students pursuing a research career in academic, industry, government or other laboratory settings

The PhD program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) offers advanced study and research training for students who will become leading scientists and scholars. Research in the program concerns all aspects of human communication including studies of speech, language, and hearing in individuals with and without communication disorders.

As part of training the next generation of scientists in speech, language, and hearing, the SLHS PhD program offers the opportunity for additional specialization in allied fields (e.g., cognitive neuroscience, systems neuroscience, psychology, and engineering). There are also opportunities for collaborative training at the UTSW Medical Center. State-of-the-art research and clinical facilities are housed in both the urban and suburban Callier Centers for Communication Disorders. The Callier clinics see over 4000 different patients annually and thus afford the opportunity for training in clinical and translational research. PhD students are fully funded for up to 5 years, with training that incorporates research milestones, including opportunities and support for extramural grant proposals. UTD boasts a supportive and inclusive environment for students and faculty, as well as opportunities to conduct research incorporating diverse populations and themes.

Doctoral students in the SLHS program work closely with their research mentors and other faculty throughout the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) to tailor their research experiences and course selections to ensure optimal preparation in their areas of interest. Areas of doctoral study encompass the physiological, neurological, and psychological aspects of communication as well as the identification, treatment, and prevention of developmental and acquired communication disorders. SLHS is integrated with the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, with the Callier Clinical Research Center providing a link across research and clinical arms. This relationship affords the implementation of a wide array of clinical and translational research projects. Our close relationship with UT Southwestern Medical Center also allows for close clinical collaboration with medical colleagues.

Areas of programmatic strength include the neurobiology of language, speech, and hearing; assessment methods and diagnostic markers of communication disorders; and innovative treatments and technological supports for people with communication disorders. Within these broad areas, specific research opportunities cover the breadth of the field including basic, clinical, and translational research related to autism, developmental language disorder (DLD), motor speech disorders in children and adults, language learning and poverty, language production and music, brain disease and semantic memory, voice disorders, noise- and drug-induced hearing disorders, tinnitus, hyperacusis and auditory rehabilitation using wireless listening devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Students in the doctoral program benefit from the school’s rich intellectual climate, including weekly lectures and research presentations by students, faculty and visiting scholars. BBS hosts an annual colloquium series presented by internationally known scientists. In addition, the school’s centers and programs offer diverse symposia and workshops that are freely available to doctoral students. All events are posted on the BBS events page . SLHS students routinely attend the Callier Center Friday Seminars in Speech, Language, and Hearing (FLASH), which offers doctoral students the opportunity to gather with faculty, post-doctoral scholars and clinicians to present research at all phases of development and to learn from scientists exploring diverse speech, language, and hearing topics.

The SLHS PhD program is housed within exceptional research facilities at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders , which has locations on both the Richardson campus and in Dallas adjacent to the UT Southwestern Medical School campus. Both Callier Center locations house state-of-the-art laboratories for behavioral, kinematic, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies of speech, language, and hearing in typical and clinical populations of all ages. The Callier Clinical Research Center provides additional core research space and equipment that is available to be reserved for faculty and student research projects.

Each year, the Callier Center serves more than four thousand patients with speech, language or hearing disorders, and Callier-Dallas is home to a nationally accredited child development program for infants and preschoolers. Via an active Research Participant Registry, scientists are provided access to participants within the normal range of function and participants diagnosed with speech, language, hearing, or other disorders affecting communication ability.

Through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics, as well as collaborative arrangements with the UT Southwestern Medical Center, SLHS doctoral students have additional access to laboratories equipped for studies of the neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and neurochemical bases of hearing and access to additional participant populations.

Degree Requirements

Program completion typically takes four to five years.

All PhD students are required to complete a minimum of 75 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students in the SLHS PhD program complete a proseminar with other BBS PhD students, research design and analysis coursework, and doctoral seminars that provide comprehensive exposure to methods and questions within speech, language, and hearing areas. In addition, SLHS students complete doctoral seminars in speech, language, and hearing as well as neuroscience, psychology, or child development courses where additional methodological or theoretical training is relevant. The SLHS curriculum helps students not only obtain deep knowledge within their dissertation area but also broadly prepare for multi-disciplinary research and collaboration through exposure to the breadth of the profession.

During the first two years of the program, each student works closely with the faculty mentor in designing and completing an empirical research project and preparing a manuscript for peer review. In the third year, students advance to PhD candidacy by successfully defending a proposal for their dissertation, an independent and original research project conducted under faculty supervision. Students also complete a grant writing course and prepare a research grant during the third year. Successful public defense of the completed dissertation during year 4 or 5 is the final step in attaining the doctoral degree.

The UT Dallas graduate catalog provides information on degree requirements for the PhD program in SLHS and the PhD student guide provides additional detailed information. For questions about degree requirements, please contact [email protected] . The university’s course look-up site, CourseBook , describes some of the program’s specific courses. The Office of Graduate Studies provides information on academic and other policies .

The PhD in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is a research degree. It is essential that there is a close match between a student’s research interests and the faculty’s expertise. Prospective students should contact faculty with whom they might share research interests. The SLHS admissions committee evaluates applications based on the personal statement, letters of recommendation, prior research and professional experiences, prior GPA, GRE scores, commitment to scholarship, and the availability of faculty mentoring in the stated area of interest.

Completion of an undergraduate degree in a related major is often helpful but is not required. Completion of a clinical degree (e.g., master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Audiology) is not required. Students who are currently enrolled in UTD AuD or SLP MS programs should consult with both their AuD or SLP program head and the PhD program head regarding application to the PhD program after completion of clinical experiences.

Students who enter the PhD program and later decide they wish to pursue clinical education will need to consult the AuD or SLP program head regarding the admissions process; the clinical education programs are highly competitive. PhD students may need to take a leave of absence from the PhD program during clinical foundation years and full-time clinical assignments (e.g., the CFY).

The Application Deadline is December 1

Please see the graduate admission page of the UT Dallas Office of Admission and Enrollment for details on how to submit an application to the PhD program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences .

Completed applications must be received on or before  December 1  for admission the following fall. SLHS does not have spring or summer admissions.

Applications to the PhD program must include official transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of reference from people qualified to evaluate your potential for successful doctoral study, and a statement of purpose detailing your previous research and professional experiences, your current research interests and your career goals. Applicants who wish to be considered for the BBS Scholars Award are required to submit an additional essay.

International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE meeting university minimum requirements . See the list of countries that are exempt from this requirement.

You can check the status of your application using the University’s Orion program .

Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

Financial Aid

Financial support of full-time doctoral students enrolled in the SLHS PhD program is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends and tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial aid. In addition to the salary and tuition and fee scholarship, UT Dallas will provide the cost of health coverage purchased through the university student health insurance program.

Other information on financial aid for graduate students is available on the UT Dallas graduate admissions page.

Funding & Awards

SLHS students complete a grant writing course and write a grant as part of their PhD program. SLHS students have been successful in obtaining external funding.

SLHS students routinely present their research at conferences and many SLHS students have received awards in recognition of their meritorious research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in speech, language, and hearing sciences is awarded through teaching or research assistantships which include a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver. Admitted students are automatically considered for these sources of financial support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial aid for PhD students.

The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the  top 30 in the nation for ethnic diversity . Total enrollment at UT Dallas is approximately 30,000, with more than 8,000 graduate students. UT Dallas’ main campus is in Richardson, Texas, about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas; some of the centers affiliated with UT Dallas are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical School. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant communities, with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with excellent symphony, opera, and art museums, five professional sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Some doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson; other classes may be held in Dallas, at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, the Center for Brain Health, or the Center for Vital Longevity. Your duties as a teaching assistant or research assistant may take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas, and locations of classes and duties may change over semesters.

Many students choose to live in areas between Richardson and Dallas for easy access to both Richardson and Dallas facilities. Public transportation is available, but most students find a car to be extremely helpful.

Student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, including apartments that are available to both undergraduate and graduate students and limited family housing for students with spouses and children. You can use online search engines to find housing options that fit your price range and target location. The program office can also provide information and recommendations from current doctoral students.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors before applying. The fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty – and the willingness and ability of the proposed mentor or mentoring team to accept new PhD student supervision responsibilities – is very important for the success of the applicant within any graduate program. In addition, the admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including prior GPA and GRE scores, letters of recommendation and personal statements.

Completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee in December, and interviews are scheduled in January and/or February. Interviews may be scheduled via a video conferencing platform. Admissions decisions are made based on application materials, interviews, input from potential mentors, and availability of funding. Students offered admission to UTD are invited to visit UT Dallas to meet with prospective faculty mentors and to tour the facilities. Remote open house events are also used as needed to provide information to applicants. 

Yes. We strongly encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and to contact them about current opportunities for admission. 

Admissions decisions are made mid- to late February.

Around 25 to 30 students are typically enrolled in the speech, language, and hearing sciences PhD program at any one time. The program includes three tracks (speech science, language science and hearing science) and the number of students admitted into each track varies as a function of student interests, mentor availability and funding for student support.

Although many students have a background in speech, language, and hearing sciences, the program welcomes students from a variety of related fields including psychology, linguistics, biology, and engineering. Some students enter directly from their undergraduate program, while others join following completion of a masters degree or clinical doctorate, or after several years of professional experience.

Our graduates are prepared to advance the field within diverse work settings. Over the last seven years, SLHS graduates have gone on to post-doctoral, tenure-track, or clinical or research faculty positions at universities, hospitals and industry settings. 

Our Speech, Language, and Hearing Science PhD program is physically housed in the renowned Callier Center for Communication Disorders, which has locations in Richardson and Dallas. The Callier Center houses state-of the-art research space in addition to its comprehensive patient care facilities and classroom and conference spaces. Together, our doctoral program offers rich opportunities for collaboration with clinicians committed to evidence-based patient care and a large cohort of clinician scientists interested in normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing. In addition to dedicated laboratories managed by principal investigators with diverse interests, PhD students have access to fully equipped Research Core facilities and receive training with diverse technologies housed in the Callier Clinical Research Center (CCRC). Recruitment of participants is facilitated by the CCRC research registry, which automatically registers all Callier patients for recruitment into relevant research studies (with an opt-out option for patients who do not wish to be contacted).

Faculty associated with the Speech, Language, and Hearing Science PhD program are outstanding mentors who help students develop individualized educational programs consistent with their overall interests and goals. Faculty mentor student publications and student grants as part of the PhD program milestone plan.

The School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences is unique in its multi-disciplinary integration of Neuroscience, Psychology, Child Development, and Speech, Language, and Hearing. This combination facilitates unique expertise, such as in the neurobiology of speech, language, and hearing and the psychosocial impact of communication disorders, and lifespan brain and behavioral development. Students enrolled in the PhD program in speech, language, and hearing sciences routinely complete doctoral coursework associated with the graduate programs in cognition and neuroscience and psychology and often have mentors from these programs who contribute to breadth of experience. Students can study communication disorders using the techniques and instrumentation of cognitive neuroscience and developmental psychology, and work with bioengineers in the development of assistive technology.

The SLP master’s degree and AuD programs provide clinical training for certification and licensure in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology. The PhD program provides research immersion for students who are interested in academic and other research careers in speech, language, and hearing sciences. The PhD degree at UT Dallas is not an advanced clinical degree.

Students who are enrolled in MS or AuD clinical education programs often become interested in academic or research careers as they learn the current boundaries of clinical knowledge. Students enrolled in clinical degree programs are eligible to apply for admission to the PhD program after completion of core clinical coursework and should contact the PhD program head for additional information. Applicants who have completed clinical education prior to PhD program admission are encouraged to apply.

Program Contacts

Program head.

Edward Lobarinas, PhD [email protected]

Program Mailing Address

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Doctoral Program School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR41 Richardson, TX 75080 [email protected]

PhD Student Guide

The PhD student guide provides information on policies and procedures in the PhD programs in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.

PhD Student Forms and Information

Degree Plan Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Registration and Related Forms Graduate Change of Program Register, Add, Drop, Withdraw Repeated Course Grade Adjustment Transfer of Credit Request

Milestones and Annual Reporting Forms Milestones Agreement Form Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Annual Report Doctoral Student Feedback Form Request for Extension Year 1 Prospectus Year 1 Proposal Year 2 Project Manuscript Proposal Grant Application Public Presentation of Research Project

Dissertation Committee Appointment Form Dissertation Proposal Meeting Public Presentation of Dissertation Proposal Request for Final Oral Exam In Absentia Registration Memo – Absent Committee Member Memo – Committee Member Attending Remotely Checklist for Final Submission of Doctoral Dissertation UTDPP1052

Teaching and Research Assistantship Forms and FAQs UTDPP1075

Requests for Student Travel and Dissertation Support Student Request for Travel Support PhD Research Small Grants Program Application

Program Resources

Please visit the Office of Graduate Studies for additional information on academic policies , PhD deadlines , PhD forms , guidelines for preparing dissertations , and a profile of characteristics of doctoral programs at UT Dallas.

Academic Calendar Academic Catalogs Campus Map Career Center CourseBook Community Health

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Mailing Address

School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences GR41 | 800 W Campbell Road | Richardson, TX 75080-3021

College of Media & Communication

• Graduate Programs
• Ph.D. in Media & Communication
• Ph.D. Program Application

Ph.D. in Media & Communication Application Process

Here are the steps you need to follow to apply to the Ph.D. Program :

Fill out the graduate school application at https://ttugradschool.force.com/admissions/ApplicationLogin .

• Cover letter stating your interest in applying and outlining your background. This letter can be short.
• Personal Statement (250 words to 500 words) describing why you want to pursue a Ph.D. degree, why you are interested in Texas Tech, and what you would outline as your area of research interests and the faculty members at TTU with whom you share that interest .
• Samples of academic / professional work in communication (if you have any)
• Ask three current or former professors/employers to recommend you to the program. The online system will ask you to enter the email addresses of the recommenders. They will have the opportunity to evaluate you on a set of scales, and they will also be asked to upload a letter of recommendation. The recommenders should not send their letter to the CoMC graduate director; the letters must be uploaded into the system.
• GRE scores are not required of Ph.D. applicants at this time.
• Language proficiency scores are required for some international students. Check online for Language Proficiency Proof on the International Undergraduate Admissions webpage to see if you need to upload scores and what scores are acceptable. 
• Official transcripts from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended.

Please Note!

• You may also be prompted to mail some materials in to the Graduate School. The application portal will provide details.
• We do not require that applicants contact a potential faculty supervisor before applying. Applicants should review graduate faculty profiles on our website and determine their fit with faculty research agendas.
• All full-time Ph.D. students are fully funded. Tuition and fees are covered by funding, and students earn a monthly stipend and scholarships in addition. International students are required to purchase health insurance. 

Ph.D. Program Application Deadline

The official application deadline is January 1 for a fall semester start. We encourage you to submit a completed application by this deadline to receive full consideration for admissions and funding.

Applications received after January 1 will only be considered if funding is still available. If you have missed the deadline and would like to apply, contact the director of the doctoral program Coy Callison, Ph.D. ( 806.834.5344 ) Media & Communication Building, Room 158.

Funding Information

All applicants who apply will be considered for the full funding package. Applicants do not need to submit a separate application for funding.

• All full-time PhD students are fully funded.
• Tuition and fees are covered by funding, and students earn a monthly stipend and scholarships in addition.
• International students are required to purchase health insurance. 

Texas Tech M.A. Students Applying to the Ph.D. Program

Students who are currently enrolled in an M.A. program in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech must apply in order to transfer to the Ph.D. program. The admission standards for the Ph.D. program are more stringent than for the M.A., and not all M.A. students will be admitted to the Ph.D. program. 

Expected Background of Ph.D. Applicants

The CoMC graduate faculty believe that students with a variety of academic backgrounds are well qualified to pursue a Ph.D. in Media & Communication. While the majority of students in the program have a bachelor's or master's degree or both in a media and/or communication area, many students also come from extensive backgrounds in areas such as psychology, marketing, sociology, etc.

We do not require that applicants contact a potential faculty supervisor before applying. Applicants should review graduate faculty profiles on our website and determine their fit with faculty research agendas. 

GRE Score Requirements (WAIVED until further notice) 

All Ph.D. program applicants must submit recent GRE scores (on the new scale of 130-170 per section). While GRE scores are not in and of themselves the most important part of your application, the CoMC graduate faculty does consider GRE scores in evaluating applicants.    Successful applicants generally have a minimum combined score of 300 on the Quantitative Reasoning and the Verbal Reasoning Sections and a minimum of a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing Sections. Applicants with scores below these levels may still be accepted into the program depending on the overall strength of the remainder of the application. Scores above these levels do not guarantee acceptance.  

Most Ph.D. students begin the program in the fall semester of each year. Under special circumstances, an incoming student may be allowed to begin matriculation in the summer. It is very rare for a student to be allowed to begin the program in the spring semester.

For International Applicants

TTU accepts seven different English proficiency tests from which the student can choose. Find important information for international students. 

All international students must submit English proficiency scores UNLESS the students is a citizen of one of these English proficiency-exempt countries . 

Texas Tech mandates that international students purchase mandatory health insurance. The insurance costs roughly $3,000 per year. The College of Media & Communication does not cover this expense. It will be deducted automatically from a funded student's stipend.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication

Program description.

The PhD program in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) is designed for those who wish to engage in deep scholarship or to develop artistic, cultural or commercial applications of digital technology and emerging media. With a diverse group of faculty and a curriculum that integrates scholarly study with creative practice, ATEC cultivates creative scholars, scholarly practitioners and interdisciplinary researchers.

ATEC PhD students have backgrounds in a variety of relevant fields and are grouped into transdisciplinary cohorts for their first year of coursework, where they investigate foundational theories, questions and methods that underlie the study of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication. Additional coursework is used to practice methods and explore individual interests, including up to 15 hours in courses from other schools at UT Dallas.

PhD students are expected to participate in the rich, intellectual life of ATEC, including the Dean’s Colloquium speaker series and a vibrant lab and studio culture.

Located in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building, ATEC is home to a number of research labs and studios embracing the service of creating new knowledge and identifying new horizons of research and creative practice. ATEC research teams and laboratories are engaged in innovative practices in the domains of: cultural sciences, data visualization and representation, modeling and simulation, virtual environments, emerging media and communication, game studies and sound design.

Career Opportunities

While academia represents an important professional avenue for ATEC PhD graduates, industry presents numerous career opportunities in such fields as design, research and development for new media, education, communication and information technologies.

The program leading to the PhD in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication is designed both for students wishing to teach arts-and-technology-related courses in colleges and universities and those who wish to develop new artistic, cultural or commercial applications of digital technology/emerging media. This program emphasizes the fusion of creative with critical thinking and theory with practice. Students seeking a PhD in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication will normally complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (42 semester credit hours in coursework and 18 semester credit hours in dissertation) beyond a master’s degree, pass doctoral field examinations and complete a dissertation.

For complete admission and degree requirements, view the Graduate Catalog at  catalog.utdallas.edu .

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Visit the  Apply Now  webpage to begin the application process.  

Applicants to the Doctoral degree program should have: 

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with either the BA or MA in a related discipline.
• Normally, a 3.3 GPA from previous coursework.
• 3 letters of recommendation.
• A statement of purpose/essay.
• A 10- to 20-page writing sample.
• Any other evidence of scholarly or creative endeavors you would like to provide.
• Each application is considered holistically on its individual merits.
• The Graduate Record Examination is not required. 

Deadline:  The application deadline is Jan. 15. All applications completed by the deadline will be reviewed for admission. Applications submitted or completed after Jan. 15 may be reviewed for admission only if spaces remain within the upcoming cohort and will be reviewed in order by the date the application file became complete.

Contact Information

Graduate Admissions Phone: 972-883-2756 Request Bass School Graduate Program Information

Graduate Advising Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology The University of Texas at Dallas, JO31 800 W. Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75080-3021 Phone: 972-883-2756 or 972-883-4706 Email:  [email protected]

Bass School Graduate Degrees

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Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology

ATEC Doctoral Programs

The PhD in ATEC trains students in academic disciplines and research traditions related to technology and media.

The PhD program in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication is designed for those who wish to engage in deep scholarship or to develop artistic, cultural, or commercial applications of digital technology and emerging media. With a diverse group of faculty and a curriculum that integrates scholarly study with creative practice, ATEC cultivates creative scholars, scholarly practitioners, and interdisciplinary researchers. The PhD in ATEC additionally prepares students to teach arts- and technology-related courses in colleges and universities. Students seeking a PhD in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication will normally complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (42 semester credit hours in coursework and 18 semester credit hours in dissertation) beyond a master’s degree or its equivalent, pass doctoral field examinations, submit a dissertation proposal, and complete and defend a dissertation.

Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication

The ATEC PhD program is a unique doctoral program, one of the few of its kind in the US. Our faculty bring to the program different areas of expertise, including in games studies, arts education, global media studies, science and technology studies, critical media studies, and animation studies­­. No matter their field of expertise, they all share a focus on media, arts, and technology. Our students, who arrive with MA degrees in such diverse fields as literature, film studies, computer science, game studies, and art history and with MFA degrees in the visual and the digital arts, bring to the program their own extensive knowledge of culture, technology, the arts, and knowledge production.

This variety of interests and expertise produces ATEC’s distinct culture of collaborative and generative research and production practices. With ATEC’s 19 labs and studios for collaborative exploration, a weekly ATEC research colloquium event, opportunities to engage with faculty and students in other UT Dallas schools, and a well-developed graduate professional development program, ATEC’s PhD provides robust support for doctoral students’ intellectual, career, and creative goals, including through opportunities to expand their pedagogical skills as instructor of record. Our graduates have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral and faculty positions in higher ed.

ATEC PhD students are grouped into transdisciplinary cohorts for their first year of coursework, where they investigate foundational theories and methods that underlie the study of technology, media, communication, and the arts. Additional coursework on interdisciplinary topics (e.g., surveillance studies, global media studies, interactive arts, culture jamming, and intersectional approaches to media studies, among others) allows students to deepen their knowledge of specific fields, while the program also allows for up to 15 hours in courses from other UT Dallas schools (e.g., Interdisciplinary Studies, EPPS). The typical time to completion is four years, with at least the last year dedicated to working on the dissertation. Our ATEC PhD program offers four years of funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships to all who are admitted. To learn more, visit the  List of Graduate Degree Program Policies and Procedures.

We also invite you to attend an online Graduate Studies Overview Session. At these events, our academic advisors provide an overview of our programs, the application and admissions process, funding opportunities, and answer your individual questions.

Applications to the PhD program must be started no later than January 1 and turned in no later than January 15 for consideration for admission. Students are admitted for a fall semester start.

Meet Professors You Will Never Forget

ATEC Faculty  include world-renowned artists, scholars, and creative practitioners. Their diverse areas of expertise ensure that graduate students gain knowledge of breadth and depth. Our professors publish with the nation’s leading academic presses, work with top animation studios, hold patents in design, and are recognized as pioneers by peers in their field.

Areas of Faculty Work & Exhibition

3D computer animation; 3D modeling; 3D printing and projection mapping; digital fabrication; digital media and interactive art; documentary; games; new media art; photography and contemporary art; simulations

Areas of Faculty Research & Publishing

Applied media studies and remix culture; border studies; critical ethnic and race studies; critical making; digital humanities, including digital health humanities; disability and crip studies; feminist studies; game studies; infrastructure studies; literary studies; media studies and cinema studies; mobile media; new media arts and new media arts and education

Art-Based Research & Creative Practice

We believe if you can imagine it, we can make it. Our lab and studio culture blends art, technology, design, engineering, science, and the humanities to create an incubative environment rich with possibilities. Collaboration is the heart of the Bass School. Learn how faculty, students, art-based research, and creative practice are connected.

Contact Information

Shilyh Warren Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Phone: 972-883-6316 Email:  [email protected] Office: JO 4.510A

Bee Yan Goh Graduate Academic Advisor Phone: 972-883-4814 Email:  [email protected] Office: ATC 1.606

Graduate Advising Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology The University of Texas at Dallas, JO31 800 W. Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75080-3021 Phone: 972-883-4706 Email:  [email protected]

Office of Admission and Enrollment 800 W. Campbell Road Richardson, TX 75080-3021 972-883-2270 or 1-800-889-2443 [email protected] utdallas.edu/enroll

PhD Application Deadlines

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Find the Support You Need

At the Bass School, we believe graduate study is a big step, and we are here to help along the way. The best way to get to know the Bass School is to attend a Graduate Studies Overview session and learn more about our programs. Make an appointment to speak with a graduate advisor about your program of interest. Ask about the many resources available to you. You will find that the Bass School at UT Dallas is student-centered and provides services designed to help you thrive as a graduate student.

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Reach out to us  to get more information about your program of interest.

Review the Bass School’s  graduate application process and requirements.

Moody College of Communication

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The Moody College of Communication believes in diverse, talented people and their collective power to change the world through communication.

Undergraduate and graduate students, numbering over 5,000, master the foundations and pursue the innovations of advertising, communication and leadership, communication studies, journalism and media, public relations, radio-television-film and speech, language, and hearing sciences.

Moody experiences

Alison eakle, chief content officer for shondaland, will deliver keynote at 2024 moody college graduation.

Nearly 1,100 students are expected to walk the stage

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Learn how her communication and leadership degree helped

Total Students

Alumni worldwide, building square footage.

Life after Moody

Wendy Rodriguez, Communication and Leadership Class of 2020, discusses her time at Moody and gives advice for current students

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Grad Programs Get High Marks in U.S. Rankings; Audiology No. 3

The University of Texas at Dallas’ Doctor of Audiology program in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences ranks third in the nation in the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings, released April 9 by U.S. News & World Report .

Dr. Colleen Le Prell , the Emilie and Phil Schepps Distinguished Professor of Hearing Science and department head of  speech, language, and hearing , said the program provides a highly supportive learning environment.

“Our students develop clinical competencies through exposure to evidence-based patient care at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders and additional clinical placements with our valued clinical partners across the DFW metro area,” she said. “Under the leadership of program head Dr. Carol Cokely , clinical professor of speech, language, and hearing, multiple faculty and peer mentoring programs have been developed; innovative simulation technologies have been incorporated into the curriculum; interprofessional education opportunities have been identified and offered to students; and the long tradition of novel service-based learning opportunities for audiology doctoral students has been expanded.”

Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Callier Center Executive Director, said that Callier is one of a few select centers in the nation that conduct treatment, graduate training and research in communication disorders. The integration of those three elements has helped propel both the audiology program and the speech-language pathology program , which ranks 21st in the U.S., into the top graduate programs in the country.

“The mission of the Callier Center — to transform the lives of individuals and families impacted by speech, language and hearing difficulties — is accomplished through provision of leading-edge clinical services, innovative research into new treatments and technologies, and training of the next generation of compassionate and skilled audiologists and speech-language pathologists,” Shoup said. “Through the UT Dallas Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, and the Callier Center’s commitment to excellence in clinical education and training, we strive to ensure that access to necessary clinical services and advances in health care efficiency and efficacy continue in perpetuity.”

The  Naveen Jindal School of Management  ranks 38th among full-time graduate business schools in the nation, while its part-time Master of Business Administration program is No. 13 nationally and second among Texas universities. The business analytics program ranks No. 25 in the country.

In the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences , the public affairs program climbed six spots to No. 57 and is third among Texas public universities. The public and nonprofit management program ranks 24th.

In the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science , the computer science program is No. 64. Rankings for the engineering graduate programs will be released at a later date.

“Rankings are but one way of evaluating universities and their programs,” said Dr. Inga H. Musselman , provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership. “And while we are proud that our programs are so well regarded by our peers, we are equally proud of our students and the tremendous successes they achieve after graduation. That success is a testament to our superb faculty, as well as to the dedication and drive of the students themselves.”

Each year, U.S. News & World Report ranks professional school programs in a rotating range of fields based on expert opinions about program status, as well as statistical indicators of the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students and their postgraduate outcomes.

This information comes from surveys sent to graduate program administrators and from reputation surveys sent to academicians and professionals in the disciplines.

Media Contact: Stephen Fontenot, UT Dallas, 972-883-4405, [email protected] , or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected] .

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National Science Foundation Announces 2024 Graduate Fellowship Awardees

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently announced the 2024 award winners for its Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), a prestigious and competitive fellowship that supports outstanding graduate research across the country. 

NSF Fellows are anticipated to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals are crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation’s technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well-being of society at large.

Fellows receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 as well as a cost-of-education allowance of $16,000 to conduct research at any accredited U.S. graduate school. 

Of the many deserving awardees, an impressive 31 are currently graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, the NSF acknowledged 28 UT students with an honorable mention.

The 2024 GRFP awardees currently attending UT and their fields of study are:

• Luisa Marie Velasco,   Mathematical Sciences 
• Kyle Anthony Trojahn, Political Science
• Kara Elizabeth Samuel, Mechanical Engineering
• Anakaren Romero Lozano, Biomedical Engineering
• Elizabeth A. Recker, Chemical Engineering
• Audrick Moses Pyronneau, Topology
• Shankar Padmanabhan, Natural Language Processing
• Leo Orshansky, Unconventional Computing, Quantum Computing
• Sara Nixon, Chemistry of Life Processes
• Lacie Larschan Levy, Chemical Oceanography
• Alexandra Lee, Condensed Matter Physics
• Rebecca Lee, Chemical Engineering
• Rosemary Lach, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Mathea Kurtz-Shaw,    Geosciences 
• Pamela Hernandez, Sociology
• Stephane Hatgis-Kessell, Artificial Intelligence
• Ethan Sumner Hartzell, Linguistics
• Kobe Grismore, Chemical Engineering
• Samuel T. Freer, Biomedical Engineering
• Claudia Katrina Fierro, Civil Engineering
• Jennie Elizabeth DeVore, Animal Behavior
• Hailey A. Currie, Physics of Living Systems
• Morgan Alexandria Carrington, Geomorphology
• Alyssa Riley Brown, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Jason R. Boynewicz, Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Marcus S. Benyamin, Chemical Engineering
• Cole Raymond Barnett, Biomedical Engineering
• Claire K. Baldus, Environmental Engineering
• Duaa N. Ansari, Chemistry of Life Processes
• Hollis B. Akins, Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Nora Agah, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The 2024 Honorable Mentions and their field of study are: 

• Grace N Bechtel, Biomedical Engineering
• Jacob Levi Block, Machine Learning
• Alexandra Boville, Evolutionary Biology
• Benjamin G. Broekhuis, Materials Engineering
• Nicole Lauren Ferrie, Geochemistry
• Elijah Stephan Garcia, Chemistry of Life Processes
• Tynan Gardner, Systems and Molecular Biology
• Arturo Hernandez, Manufacturing Engineering
• Jason Ho, Computer Architecture
• Eric Hu, Mechanical Engineering
• Ravi K. Koka, Nuclear Physics
• Zachary Lee, Mathematical Sciences
• Crystal B. Li, Human Development & Family Sciences
• Harrison Lippie, Chemical Engineering
• Lan H. Nguyen, Environmental Engineering
• Rachel A Paddock, Mechanical Engineering
• Connor A. Painter, Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Harsha Ramya Rajesh, Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
• Livia Raulinaitis, Ecology
• Tamara Margarita Rivera, Marine Biology
• Allison Jane Segapeli, Chemical Engineering
• Abhishek Shivkumar,   Topology
• Kathleen E. Taylor, Chemical Engineering
• Michael H. Updike, Theoretical Physics
• Yanran Wang,   Chemical Engineering
• Eric Wang, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Daniel Wu, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Arthur King Zhang, Robotics

To learn more about the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, visit their website .

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Is communication around climate change just hot air?

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By Joe Arney Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm’18)

As an undergraduate student, Emily King Kinsey most enjoyed professors who brought work experience to the classroom.

That’s not the only reason she sought professional experience before enrolling in the doctoral program at the University of Colorado Boulder’s College of Media, Communication and Information. But when it comes to the impact her work is having, especially as a researcher, that professional experience is every bit as valuable as she expected it would be.

“I like being able to share those connections I’ve developed—to be able to show some of my own work and talk about my own experiences, and to help students as they prepare for their own professional journeys,” she said.

“I got to see this whole other decision-making component that has to do with how you set policies, how you get people on board with them, how you get the public to understand why these advancements and policies are important.” Emily King Kinsey

Her own scholarly journey is rooted in the intersection between political science and public relations. After completing her master’s in communication at the University of Tennessee, King Kinsey worked at a prominent materials science research group, where she got to see up close the technical advancements needed to create things like lightweight cars or recyclable wind turbines that could help stabilize climate change.

But those developments weren’t the whole story.

“I got to see this whole other decision-making component that has to do with how you set policies, how you get people on board with them, how you get the public to understand why these advancements and policies are important,” she said.

Creating meaningful impact

As growing public pressure mounts on businesses to take a more active role for their responsibility for the changing climate, King Kinsey is interested in understanding how corporations and governments can effectively set policies to create meaningful impact. Finding that intersection of environmental matters, corporate governance and public diplomacy will help her create the impact she seeks, according to her advisor.

“In a grad program, you shouldn’t just be a replica of your advisor. You should be your own person, your own scholar, and she is able to do that because she has that dedication and sense of direction.”

King Kinsey made her program her own by taking political sciences classes outside of CMCI, which helped her bring an international flair to her public relations focus in a way that PhD programs elsewhere didn’t readily offer.

That focus has helped her build on her experience in materials science and innovation to do research with global impact. Her dissertation incorporates renewable energy and climate change as it’s playing out in larger competition between the United States and China.

‘Saying things just to say them’

Both states, she said, are investing in renewable energy development worldwide; in Indonesia, both have poured billions of dollars—China significantly more—into these projects. King Kinsey looks at the consistency of messaging being shared around such investments to better understand the role communication plays in influencing public diplomacy around climate change.

Fisher said mentoring students is her favorite part of being a CMCI professor, and she said King Kinsey’s experiences beyond work—including pursuing a PhD during COVID-19 lockdowns and having a daughter part way through her degree—will make her “a fantastic role model for her students.”

“One thing I admire about Emily is she is figuring out how to find balance—she’s a great parent, she’s doing this intensive research work and she’s navigating a job search,” Fisher said. “That’s so hard for PhD students, especially women, and her experience navigating these things and staying true to herself will make her a great mentor one day. I’m excited to see where she goes and what she does—and I’m excited to keep learning from her.”  

Becoming a parent while pursuing a PhD is a daunting proposition. Spend a few minutes in her company, though, and it’s clear that when King Kinsey sets her heart on something, she’s going to achieve it.

In her case, it will be getting to hug her daughter after she is hooded at commencement in May.

“My advisor and the faculty at CMCI were really supportive of me and advocated for me throughout my journey,” she said. “I’m very motivated to get things done, and they matched that, were supportive and helped me get things done.”

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