• JOUR 601 – Public Communication Theory or JOUR elective if student has already satisfied the equivalent of JOUR 601 – 3 credits
• JOUR 610 – Journalism History – 3 credits
• JOUR 800 – Introduction to Doctoral Studies – 3 credits
• JOUR 801 – Advanced Media Theory – 3 credits
• JOUR 802 – Contemporary Issues in Journalism – 3 credits
• JOUR 819? – Seminar in Journalism Practices, e.g. Contemporary Problems in Journalism Ethics – NEW COURSE, or JOUR elective

II. Research Methods: 9 credits

• JOUR 770 – Principles of Research Methods – 3 credits
• JOUR 775 – Quantitative Methods or JOUR 776 – Qualitative Methods – 3 credits
• Research methods course (a statistics course does not satisfy this requirement) in any department, chosen in consultation with one’s advisor – 3 credits

III. Cognate: 9 credits

Each doctoral candidate will examine a discipline outside of the College. Through this process, the student will ideally develop a mentoring relationship with a faculty member who can write and review the student’s cognate examination and hopefully serve on the student’s dissertation committee.

IV. Semester One-Credit Colloquia: 4 credits

• JOUR 808a – First-semester colloquium exploring faculty areas of expertise; design individual cognate – 1 credit
• JOUR 808b – Exploring Teaching colloquium where students examine components of teaching – from course objects, to syllabi construction, to content delivery, to evaluation – 1 credit
• JOUR 808c – Beginning their second year, students will convene with various faculty as they explore building a common ground of journalism thought and inquiry – 1 credit
• JOUR 808d – Comprehensive Examination colloquium where students would be guided by a faculty member in identifying appropriate reading lists, discussing critical areas, and – in collaboration with the students’ advisors – providing individual guidance to students as they prepare for their examinations – 1 credit

The Theory Core exam will test a candidate's comprehension of the theoretical canons of media literature introduced in JOUR 601 and 801 courses.

The Research Methods exam will test a candidate's comprehension of research methodologies and ability to complete his or her dissertation and conduct future research. JOUR 770, JOUR 77? and additional methods coursework. This exam would be individualized for each student.

The Journalism exam will test a candidate's expertise in his or her JOUR courses (but not including JOUR 601, JOUR 801 and the student's JOUR methodology courses)

The Cognate exam will test the student’s area of expertise developed outside of journalism. It will be written and reviewed by a faculty member outside of the College, in collaboration with the student’s exam committee. This exam would be individualized for each student.