NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

Since the doctoral program began in the late 1950s, over 350 men and women have completed their Ph.D. in Communication at Michigan State University. The alumni hold faculty positions in many leading universities, and as well as research and consultative positions in government and industry. Graduates provide leadership in academic and professional fields in many countries throughout the world. The Communication doctoral program features outstanding faculty who are prolific researchers and effective advisors.

Admission Requirements 

• Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic or professional work and are willing to assess your aptitude for graduate work.
• Academic Statement - The University Graduate Application Academic Statement will automatically populate in GIMS but you can edit this statement in GIMS if desired.
• Personal Statement - The University Graduate Application Personal Statement will automatically populate in GIMS but you can edit this statement in GIMS if desired.
• Please complete the research interests section.
• Please complete the essay (approximately 400 words) answering the following question, "Discuss an experience in your life where you had to overcome a significant challenge or adversity."
• Resume or vita including listings of conference presentations and/or publications.
• GRE Scores.
• TOEFL Scores (for international applicants).

Graduate Faculty 

• Professor Gary Bente, Ph.D., University of Trier
• Associate Professor Daniel E. Bergan, Ph.D., Northwestern University
• Professor Franklin J. Boster, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Professor Mary Bresnahan, Ph.D., University of Michigan
• Assistant Professor Dustin Carnahan, Ph.D., Ohio State University
• Professor James W. Dearing, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Professor William A. Donohue, Ph.D., Ohio State University
• Assistant Professor Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Assistant Professor Allison Eden, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Professor David Ewoldsen, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Associate Professor Amanda Holmstrom, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Professor Maria Lapinski, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Assistant Professor Jingbo Meng, Ph.D., University of Southern California 
• Professor Vernon Miller, Ph.D., University of Texas
• Associate Professor Tai-Quan "Winson" Peng, Ph.D., City University of Hong Kong
• Associate Professor Nancy Rhodes, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
• Assistant Professor Ralf Schmäelzle, Ph.D., University of Konstantz (Germany)
• Associate Professor John L. Sherry, Ph.D., Michigan State University 
• Professor Kami Silk, Ph.D., University of Georgia
• Professor Sandi Smith, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Professor Ron Tamborini, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Associate Professor Brandon Van Der Heide, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Associate Professor Gwen Wittenbaum, Ph.D., Miami University

NCA Awards to Faculty and Students, 2000-present  

• Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education, 2013