NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

The Department of Communication at the University of Maryland takes as its intellectual focus the strategic use of discourse in the public sphere. The Department encourages applications for graduate study from students wishing to pursue interests identified with one or more of its research foci. The graduate program in Communication is designed for students whose educational objective is the Ph.D. degree. Most graduates of the doctoral program pursue academic careers; however, some work in public policy research and other professions requiring highly developed research skills. The Ph.D. degree is research-oriented rather than applied. The graduate curriculum treats disciplinary methods of inquiry, communication concepts and theories, and specialized research problems, and all graduate students engage in independent research projects, including the Ph.D. dissertation.

Admission Requirements  

• Transcripts
• Demonstrated Proficiency in English (for international applicants)
• Statement of Purpose
• Description of Research Interests
• A Writing Sample
• CV/Resume
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Graduate Faculty  

• Professor Linda Aldoory, Ph.D., Syracuse University
• Associate Professor Lindsey B. Anderson, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Assistant Professor Nicholas Joyce, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Research Professor Kathleen E. Kendall, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Associate Professor Sahar Khamis, Ph.D., University of Manchester, UK
• Assistant Professor Jiyoun Kim, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
• Assistant Professor Sun Young Lee, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
• Professor Brooke Fisher Liu, Ph.D., University of North Carolina 
• Associate Professor Kristy Maddux, Ph.D., University of Georgia
• Associate Professor Kang Namkoong, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
• Professor Xiaoli Nan, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
• Professor Shawn J. Parry-Giles, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Professor Trevor Parry-Giles, Ph.D., Indiana University
• Associate Professor Damien Smith Pfister, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
• Associate Professor Anita Atwell Seate, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Associate Professor Erich Sommerfeldt, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
• Assistant Professor Catherine Knight Steele, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Chicago
• Professor Emerita Elizabeth L. Toth, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Principal Lecturer Leah Waks, Ph.D., University of Michigan
• Professor Andrew D. Wolvin, Ph.D., Purdue University
• Associate Professor Carly S. Woods, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

NCA Awards Received by Faculty and Students, 2000-present  

• Diamond Anniversary Book Award, 2007
• Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2017
• Golden Outstanding Student Essay in Rhetoric Award, 2007
• Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar Award, 2013
• Lucas Debut Publication Award, 2017