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Communication (PhD)

Program overview.

The PhD in Communication provides students with advanced training in media and cultural analysis. Communication academics pursue a range of different inquiries at the crossroads of humanities and social science research. Our faculty members are scholars, artists, and media-makers who have extensive experience in graduate supervision and who have published award-winning books and articles in internationally leading journals, as well as producing innovative projects in time-based media and other non-textual formats. You will study areas as varied as game studies, representations of gender and race, digital media, feminist media studies, and research-creation. You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of research projects and benefit from Montreal’s fertile media arts environment.

Program structure

Degree requirements, degree requirements.

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.

Please see the Communication Studies Courses page for course descriptions.

Communication PhD (90 credits)

Communication phd electives (12 credits), admission requirements, admission requirements.

• MA in Communication or its equivalent.
• A thoroughly articulated research project outline.
• Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
• Language Requirements. Applicants should have a level of competence that would allow them to read technical material and follow lectures and discussions in English. Students may participate in discussions, write reports, examinations and theses in English or French, as they choose.

Application process

Application deadlines.

February 1 (Canadian resident) January 15 (International)

Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.

International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec , we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.

Tuition & funding

Tuition and fees.

Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.

Awards and funding

Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.

The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.

Other programs of interest

Communication studies (grdip) course-based.

Join a diverse body of young scholars and professionals working to expand their personal qualifications with an intensive and hands-on introduction to the field of communication.

Department of Communication Studies

Faculty of Arts & Science

© Concordia University

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Communication and Media Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

The world needs people who understand media and communications. As a student in the Department of Communication, Media and Film, you will develop a critical perspective on how communication, media and film represent and shape our lives. You will also gain marketable research and communication skills.

This thesis-based degree is designed for students who want to pursue a research or scholarly career. Some of our focus areas include: animation studies, Canadian cinema, communication infrastructure, digital media and social movements, internet policy, rhetoric studies, and visual culture studies. We encourage students to develop their own unique programs of study that reach beyond traditional topics and discipline boundaries.

Completing this program

• Core Courses: Students take courses in interdisciplinary approaches to communication and media studies and research methods.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both written and oral candidacy exams.
• Additional Courses: Topics may include critical media studies, communication infrastructure, environmental communication issues, media and politics and more.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Academic careers; private sector: communication/media/film related companies, companies dependent on digital media, wifi services; public sector: non-profit organizations, government positions dependent on digital communication.

A PhD in communication and media studies is usually considered a final degree.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Three core courses and three electives.

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Four years full-time; six years maximum

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree. Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.

Charlene Elliott

Jessalynn Keller

Tamara Shepherd

Tania S. Smith

Paul Stortz

Gregory Taylor

Charles Tepperman

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A completed Master's degree in Communications Studies or related field.

Work samples

Two samples of written work.

• A statement of research intent (500-1000 words)
• A detailed curriculum vitae

Reference letters

Test scores, english language proficiency (elp).

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iB T including TOEFL iBT Home Edition)  minimum score of 86 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 6.5 (with no section less than 6.0).
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 180.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 59 or higher
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  overall score of 70 (no section less than 60).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  minimum of B+ in each course.
• Duolingo English Test  obtaining a minimum score of 125 (with no sub-score below 105).

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

For admission on September 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Dec. 1 application deadline
• International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, department of communication, media and film.

Social Sciences Building, Room 320 618 Campus Place NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Thesis-based MA

Course-based MA

Thesis-based PhD

Political Science

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PhD Program in Communication, New Media & Cultural Studies

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is an innovative transdisciplinary joint program between the Departments of Communication Studies and Media Arts (CSMA) and the Department of English and Cultural Studies (ECS).

Humanities degrees allow you maximum flexibility in your potential career options

Marie Nash '11

Honours BA in Communications with a minor in Political Science

I was greeted with a nurturing love of reading and learning. It was the ability to sit down, focus and construct an argument or opinion. Reading is a superpower.

Tristan Toye '14

I was well-positioned to begin my career upon graduating from my program.

Lisa Bifano '13

Honours BA English and Communications

About the Program

The challenges we face today—social and environmental injustice, climate change, precarious work, surveillance and a shrinking public sphere—are complex and multifaceted. Among their many other dimensions, they are questions of communication and culture, which demand urgent engagement. The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is for creative students who embrace complexity, love difficult questions and believe that the problems we face today are, fundamentally, problems of communication and culture. Learning to read , critique and create culture, media and communication is critical to seeing things, and doing things, in new ways.

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is a joint program between the Departments of Communication Studies and Media Arts (CSMA) and the Department of English and Cultural Studies (ECS) . Our many complementary strengths are in areas including new media arts, performance, policy, visual culture, digital culture, music/sound, gender and sexuality, critical race studies, Indigenous studies, postcolonial and diasporic studies, transnational culture and international communications, critical environmental studies, political economy, professional communication, and media analysis and strategy. The program draws faculty members from CSMA and ECS as well as other departments in the Humanities to act as supervisors of CNMCS doctoral students.

Admission Requirements

The PhD Degree Program normally entails four years of study. The admission requirement is a completed MA, MSc, MFA or Master of Communication Management (MCM.) degree in a relevant field (e.g. Communication Studies, Cultural Studies, New Media, etc.). We also welcome applications from students with a Master’s degree in a related field (e.g. Music, Digital Humanities, Visual Culture, Visual and Fine Arts, Sociology, Anthropology, Women’s and Gender Studies, English, Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies, etc.) who have focused on research germane to the program and can demonstrate, in their letters of application, how their graduate work to date has prepared them for a PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies. While students must have expertise in at least one of New Media, Communication or Cultural Studies, the committee will look particularly favourably on students who have demonstrated fluency in two or more program areas. A successful applicant from an MA program with a coursework component will have grades of at least A- in two-thirds of their courses. Students whose training has not included graded coursework are encouraged to submit a dossier of work completed during their Master’s program.

Language Requirements

For applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program whose language of instruction was English, you will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computerized test, and 100 on the Internet-based test is required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a score of 7 is required.

Application Process

The deadline for submission of completed applications (including supporting documentation) for September entry into the PhD program is January 14th. The online application system will open on November 15th for September admission. Application fees are not refundable.

Only completed applications (including supporting documentation) will be reviewed. Your application materials and supporting documents must be uploaded to the application system. Supporting documents can also be sent directly to the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts via email to the Graduate Administrator at [email protected] .  If sending supporting documentation directly to the Department, please send them as PDF files in one email per the instructions listed below with the subject line “Last Name, First Name: Supporting Documents” (your name should be listed as it appears in your online application).  Alternatively, you may mail your application materials to the following address (DO NOT USE STAPLES):

Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts

c/o Graduate Administrative Assistant

Togo Salmon Hall 332

McMaster University

1280 Main Street West

Hamilton, ON  L8S 4M2

Documents Required:

• A completed Online Application
• Application Fee (submitted during the online application process). This fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian dollars by means of a credit or debit card payment.
• Two (2) academic recommendations from instructors most familiar with your work . Recommendations may be submitted directly via email from the referees to [email protected] , or provided via the online application system. If submitting the references by postal mail or in person, please ensure that referees have signed across the seal of the envelope. NOTE: THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM WILL PROMPT YOUR REFEREES TO SUBMIT REFERENCES. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOUR REFERENCES ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE, AND TO REQUEST THOSE LETTERS PERSONALLY, IN TIME FOR LETTERS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE.  PLEASE REQUEST ALL LETTERS WELL BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
• One ( 1 ) official transcript of all academic work completed to date (including undergraduate and graduate if applicable). Upload a scan of your transcript to the application system, and arrange to have an official transcript sent directly to the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts from the issuing institution.  If you have had the transcripts mailed to you, or you picked them up yourself from the issuing institution, they must come in a sealed envelope with the  original university seal .  If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.  Please submit your official sealed transcripts by mail to the address listed above, or by secure e-transcript from the issuing institution to [email protected]. 
• A 500-word (two pages, double-spaced) statement of interest. The statement of interest plays an important role in our assessment of your application.  It is an opportunity to outline the thesis you propose to undertake and to present your theoretical interests, areas of critical or creative engagement, and your particular fields of emerging expertise. Your statement of interest should include the following:
• The thesis model you propose to produce;
• A traditional thesis , which will normally be between 200 and 250 pages (not including bibliography);
• A research-creation or project-based thesis , which will consist of a body of work and written commentary on that work of between 100 and 150 pages; such a thesis may involve arts based research, or it may involve the creation of such things as tool kits, social interventions, learning platforms, databases, new media archives, documentary films or podcasts; or
• A sandwich thesis , which, in accordance with McMaster’s Thesis Preparation Guide, must consist of a minimum of three scholarly works on a unified theme, either previously published or exhibited, submitted for peer-review, or prepared for publication/exhibition but not yet submitted (in CNMCS, these works may include journal articles submitted for peer review, or art/media/performance pieces submitted for peer-adjudication); these works must be accompanied by substantial introductory and concluding chapters, addressing the methodologies, theories and approaches that unify and inform the research. If the sandwich thesis is used for a series of research creation projects, the student will present an explanatory narrative that connects the projects and argues for their significance. The typical length of a sandwich thesis will be about 200 pages, plus bibliography.
• The objectives of your critical or creative research, including the question, problem, or issue you are interested in addressing;
• The critical debates, theoretical frameworks, creative models, artistic concepts, primary works and/or methodological approaches that will inform your thesis;
• One or more faculty members who you think might be suitable supervisors for your thesis; a list of eligible faculty members can be found here. 
• A brief reflection upon activities or experiences relevant to your research and to contributing to an engaged and engaging PhD program (i.e. community engagement activities, knowledge mobilization activities, previous experience as a research assistant or teaching assistant);
• Your motivations to pursue this program.
• Important: please list the names of your two referees and their email addresses at the end of your statement. Please submit your statement of interest to the online application system. You may also send your statement of interest as a PDF file via email to [email protected] .
• A sample of your academic writing. You should submit a copy of an academic essay that you’ve written for a graduate course; the essay should demonstrate your writing abilities and your ideas. Ideally, it should be no longer than 20 pages double-spaced. Please submit your sample of writing to the online application system. You may also submit your sample of writing as a PDF file via email to [email protected] .
• A sample (or samples) of your multimedia work (if applicable). Students with a Media Arts background are strongly encouraged to submit a sample of their creative work. P lease upload your sample or work or links to your sample of work to the application system. You may also submit links to your samples of work in one PDF file to [email protected] . 
• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV), preferably no longer than 2 pages.
• Evidence of competency in English: Applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computerized test, and 100 on the Internet-based test is required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a score of 7.0 is required. Please upload your unofficial result to the application system and arrange to have your official score report sent by mail to the address listed above.

Please note the availability of both McMaster and External scholarships. The deadlines for some scholarships may fall significantly before the deadline for application for admission.  For more information, see “McMaster Scholarships & Funding” and “External Scholarships” tabs below.  We encourage applicants to apply for scholarships for which they are eligible.

For any additional information about the application process, contact us at [email protected] .

Program Timelines & Milestones

Students of the program must complete 18 units of approved coursework by the end of the second year, including: 4 courses, for a total of 12 units, to be completed in year 1; and two 3-unit doctoral seminars, taken in year 1 and year 2. As part of the 4 courses to be completed in year 1, students must take at least one of either CULTR ST 732 or CMST&MM 700 (unless they have taken either course or a direct equivalent during a previous degree program). With the permission of the CNMCS Ph.D. Advisory Committee, students may take 3 units of electives from graduate courses offered by programs other than CNMCS.

Comprehensive Examination

Students in the program will be required to take the Comprehensive Examination in the area of their intended thesis research. This will involve writing two papers, a Field Survey and a Topic Paper, and defending both in an oral examination. The Field Survey should show broad expertise in the wider field of knowledge the candidate’s research will engage, i.e. one or more of the fields of Communication Studies, Cultural Studies or New Media/Media Arts. The Topic Paper describes how the candidate’s thesis intervenes in the chosen field(s) and the particular contribution it will make. Both papers are to be researched and written concurrently by the candidate, are to be between 25 and 30 double-spaced pages in length, and are due in February of the second year of study. The Oral Examination of both papers will follow within 10 days of submission. The candidate’s mark in the Comprehensive Examination will be calculated on the average of the grades for the Field Survey, the Topic Paper and the Oral Examination.

Qualifying Dossier

Over the course of their graduate study, students in the program will develop a qualifying dossier in consultation with their supervisory committee. Possible components of the qualifying dossier, of which the student will complete at least six, include:

• a grant application;
• presentation of a conference paper or artist talk;
• a revision and submission of an article or artistic piece for peer-reviewed publication or juried exhibition;
• a research ethics proposal;
• a syllabus and a teaching philosophy statement;
• an op-ed or other knowledge translation project (e.g., a blog, performance, artwork, website, new media project, etc.)
• Education 751 (offered by McMaster’s MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching)
• participation in four professionalization workshops (academic or non-academic), offered by ECS, CSMA, or the Faculty of Humanities
• a published book review/exhibition review in a scholarly journal
• a community-engagement project
• a guest lecture
• participation in conference organizing

Work completed as part of course requirements may be included in the dossier at the discretion of the supervisory committee.

The candidate will complete a thesis in one of the following forms:

• A traditional thesis , which will normally be between 200 and 250 pages (not including bibliography).
• A research-creation or project-based thesis , which will consist of a body of work and written commentary on that work of between 100 and 150 pages; such a thesis may involve arts-based research, or it may involve the creation of such things as tool kits, social interventions, learning platforms, databases, new media archives, documentary films, or podcasts;
• By March 1 of year 1 of the program, students will submit a short proposal (1000 words plus bibliography) for the thesis, identifying the area of their intended thesis research, for the approval of the Admissions and Review Committee. 
• With the guidance of their supervisory committee and their peers in the year 2 doctoral seminar, students will develop a long proposal (10-15 pages plus bibliography), to be submitted for approval by August 31 of year 2.  
• Years 3 and 4 of the degree will be dedicated to the completion of the thesis, which must be defended in an oral examination.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in Communication and New Media with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER GRAD STUDENTS

Learn about our PhD program students.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PhD Course Listings

The following is a list of all courses included as potential offerings in CNMCS. Aside from the required courses, course offerings change regularly from one academic year to the next.

• CNMCS 700 / Doctoral Seminar in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies 1 (required)
• CNMCS 701 / Doctoral Seminar in Communication, New Media, and Cultural Studies 2 (required)
• CMST&MM 702 / Media and Social Issues
• CMST&MM 703 / New Media Studio Topics
• CMST&MM 705 / Digital Media and Cultural Exchange
• CMST&MM 706 / Technologies of Communication
• CMST&MM 707 / Theoretical Issues in Media, Culture and Communication
• CMST&MM 708 / Selected Topics in Communication and New Media
• CMST&MM 710 / International Communication
• CMST&MM 714 / Feminism, Technology and Science
• CMST&MM 715 / Cultural Memory, the Media, and “Us”
• CMST&MM 716 / Critical Perspectives on Documentary
• CMST&MM 717 / Youth, New Media and Culture
• CMST&MM 718 / Critical Approaches to Communication Policy & Law
• CMST&MM 719 / Media and Mimesis: Installation and Performance Media
• CMST&MM 720 / Data Cultures
• CMST&MM 721 / Alternative Media Forms in Africa
• CMST&MM 722 / Beyoncé Studies: Creativity, Celebrity, and Activism
• CMST&MM 723 / Islam, Feminisms and Global Media
• CMST&MM 724 / Visions of Extinction: What the End Looks Like From Here
• CMST&MM 725 / Theory, Race, and Power
• CMST&MM 726 / Media, Sustainability, and Climate Justice
• CMST&MM 727 / Cultural Production and the Environment
• CMST&MM 728 / Critical Hope in Times of Protracted Crises
• CMST&MM 731 / Crisis Management and Communication
• CULTR ST 708 / Selfie/Culture
• CULTR ST 710 / Decolonial, Anti-Racist, and Anti-Oppressive Pedagogies: Teaching and Learning Otherwise
• CULTR ST 711 / Celebrity/Culture
• CULTR ST 712 / Queer, Two-Spirit, & Trans- Indigenous Writings
• CULTR ST 716 / Bob Dylan and American Culture: Memory, Consciousness and Meaning
• CULTR ST 717 / Global Sex
• CULTR ST 721 / Writing, Land, and Place
• CULTR ST 725 / Romanticism, War, and Peace
• CULTR ST 729 / Cultural Studies and the Politics of Cultural Pedagogy
• CULTR ST 730 / Indigenous Literature of North America
• CULTR ST 731 / Anxiety Disorders: The Cultural Politics of Risk
• CULTR ST 734 / Appropriation and Canadian Literature: History, Theory, Controversies
• CULTR ST 742 / Mapping South Asian Masculinities
• CULTR ST 743 / Reimagining Nature: Science and Empire in the Long Eighteenth Century
• CULTR ST 746 / American Counterculture Literature, 1950-1990: Beat, Hippie, Punk
• CULTR ST 747 / Discourses of Empire 1700-1820
• CULTR ST 748 / Last Things: Life and Death in the Anthropocenes
• CULTR ST 749 / Getting and Spending: The Birth of Consumer Culture
• CULTR ST 750 / Gothic, Sensation and Victorian Discourses of the Body
• CULTR ST 752 / Trans-Atlantic Indigeneity: Indigenous Literary Presence in Europe
• CULTR ST 755 / Neoliberalism and the Limits of the Social
• CULTR ST 756 / The Secret Life of Things in the Eighteenth Century
• CULTR ST 757 / Gender, Civility, and Courtliness in Early Modern Europe
• CULTR ST 758 / Literature as Witness
• CULTR ST 759 / Victorian Natures
• CULTR ST 761 / Framing CanLit
• CULTR ST 762 / Queer Historicisms and British Cultural Memory
• CULTR ST 765 / Biopolitics: An Introduction
• CULTR ST 767 / Regarding Animals: Theories of Non-Human Life
• CULTR ST 770 / Queer Caribbean Writing: Sex, Gender, Politics
• CULTR ST 773 / “Revolt and Remember”: Resilience in the Postcolonial Environmental Humanities
• CULTR ST 775 / Topics in South Asian Literature and Culture
• CULTR ST 776 / Community Engaged Narrative Arts
• CULTR ST 779 / The Times We Live In
• CULTR ST 780 / Engendering the (Queer, Trans, Non-Binary) Transnational Early Modern Stage: Then and Now
• CULTR ST 781 / Public Mourning in Canada: What Makes a Life Grievable?
• CULTR ST 782 / Seed Stories of Black and Indigenous Survivance
• CULTR ST 785 / Migratory Routes: Indian Diasporic Fiction and Film
• CULTR ST 791 / Rethinking Politics: Thinking Past War, Democracy, and Terror

Course Outlines

Graduate course outlines will be posted at the beginning of the semester, where possible. In cases where current outlines are not available, outlines from previous offerings have been posted. Please note that the content and format of a course may vary significantly from one semester to another. Course offerings rotate regularly and therefore some elective courses may not have recent course outlines available.

Graduate Course Timetables

The timetables for graduate courses in the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts are generally finalized over the summer, in order to accommodate teaching assistant schedules and other logistical requirements. Please note that the schedule may be subject to change, particularly in the case of instructors who are teaching virtual courses.

Students admitted to the MA and PhD Programs in Communication and New Media generally receive an entrance scholarship and a Teaching Assistantship, or funding-in-lieu of the TAship. Entrance scholarship amounts vary and are normally determined by the MA or PhD Graduate Committee at the time of admission.

The university also has various bursaries and scholarships. Graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Graduate students wishing to travel to research, exhibit, perform, or present at academic conferences may be eligible for financial support from the the Graduate Students Association (GSA), Communication Studies and Media Arts department, their supervisor, and/or other travel funds, awards, bursaries, and scholarships, subject to the availability of funds. For more information, contact your supervisor and [email protected] .  Also, visit the School of Graduate Studies Scholarship information page and click on ‘travel’ for a list of available resources

Students considering graduate school are encouraged to research scholarships well in advance because some external scholarship applications are due even before the student has been accepted to graduate school. Depending on a student’s area of interest, grades and overall profile, external scholarships may be available through a variety of sources, including government agencies and the private sector. The scholarships listed below are the ones most commonly held by MA and PhD students in Ontario. 

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Note that applications must be submitted directly to the institution(s) where you plan to pursue graduate studies. The deadline is normally in the fall, before the application deadline for graduate school in Canada.

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program

Graduate Scholarship – As with OGS, applications for the Canada Graduate Scholarship must be submitted through an eligible institution. The deadline is usually December 1, before the application deadline for graduate school.

McMaster Graduate Studies Scholarship Information

The School of Graduate Studies provides funding to our graduate students so they can devote their time and energy to the successful completion of their studies.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship

The deadline for SSHRC applications is usually in the fall. Applications can be made directly to SSHRC or through your institution.

• Program Handbook
• Thesis Defence
• Graduate Calendar
• School of Graduate Studies Graduate Resources
• Faculty of Humanities Adjustments Guidelines

All students admitted to the MA in Communication and New Media and PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies are awarded a teaching assistantship or a financially-equivalent award (e.g. a research assistantship). The teaching assistantship is not only a significant part of the funding package for our students but also an important opportunity for professionalization. There are training sessions for TAs at the start of the academic year, and both TAs and RAs gain ongoing mentorship from their faculty supervisors. 

Students are usually assigned two TAships: one in the fall term and the other in the winter term. Each TAship is 130 hours (averaging 10 hours per week). Assignments are based on students’ interests and experience (as communicated in a questionnaire distributed over the summer), and the department’s teaching needs. Faculty supervisors are responsible for the design and delivery of the course; the responsibilities of TAs include leading tutorials, meeting with students, and participating in assessment. Some TAs have a “marker” role; markers do not lead tutorials but, rather, assist with other aspects of content delivery and evaluation. 

A research assistantship is an excellent way for students to enhance their learning about the research process and to work closely with a faculty mentor.

There are two kinds of research assistantships for MA and PhD students. The first is an RA-in-lieu, which is given in place of a TAship. RA-in-lieu positions are for the same number of hours as a TAship (130 hours per semester in the fall and winter terms) and paid at the same rate as a TAship.

The second type of research assistantship is supplemental to a student’s main TAship or RAship. Students may be hired for a supplemental RAship on an ad hoc basis, usually to assist with faculty research. These supplemental RAships are sometimes offered to incoming students or are advertised to current students. The rate of pay and duties are set out in a contract, and RAs must submit hours of work forms on a bi-weekly basis. One final note: the number of hours that graduate students may work per year is capped at 505 hours; the hours worked for both the standard TAship/RA-in-lieu and any supplemental RAship count toward this number.

The PhD Teaching Fellowships are an exciting opportunity for PhD students in the Humanities to develop and teach their own undergraduate course. Teaching Fellows also participate in mentoring at both the faculty and departmental level.

PhD students become eligible for a teaching fellowship after they successfully submit their long thesis proposal. Usually, they are able to apply at the end of their third year to teach a course in their fourth year.

Near the end of winter term, available courses are shared with eligible students. Applications should include a cover letter explaining their experience and abilities for teaching the course; a maximum two-page explanation of their approach to teaching the course and a CV.

Teaching assistants are key partners in the classroom who benefit from, and contribute to, ongoing training in pedagogy. In recognition of the fact that the learning environment is constantly changing, our Instructional Committee maintains a course shell on Avenue that contains information regarding resources on campus, rights and responsibilities of TAs as well as supervisors, diversity and inclusion, approaches to managing questions and challenges in the classroom, grading and more. Current teaching assistants all have access to this course shell. An initial orientation is also held before classes commence.

McMaster is home to a vibrant student body, including highly engaged graduate students. The Graduate Students Association serves and represents graduate students across campus, providing a number of resources and services. Graduate students are encouraged to get involved with the GSA and to participate in the many events they organize throughout the year.

Many scholarly associations also have special committees or student groups that organize events, offer discounted fees or provide conference funding specifically for graduate students. One example is the  Canadian Communication Association  but there are many others, nationally and internationally.

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies equips students with skills that are crucial for our digital, knowledge-based economy. These include advanced research skills appropriate for work in the policy, not-for-profit and education sectors; high-level cultural, social and digital literacies; knowledge of and ability to innovate in modes and methods of communication; and the capacity for analyzing and engaging complex systems and problems.

CNMCS can prepare students for work in a wide range of sectors not only including education, but also the public service, the arts and the private sector. Since our founding in 2016, each cohort has been diverse in terms of background and interests, and accordingly, we expect that our graduates will follow very different paths.

PAST PhD THESIS PROJECTS

Stay tuned for when our first cohort of PhD students will graduate!

Department Life

Our program benefits from the close interaction between faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students. Graduate students participate in many aspects of departmental life, as teaching assistants and sometimes as assistants in research initiatives headed by faculty members. Graduate students are encouraged to attend events by visiting speakers across the university and are given opportunities, where possible, to perform and deliver guest lectures, and attend invited talks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas

Students in our doctoral program are eligible to participate in the Gender Studies and Feminist Research Graduate Diploma. Application for the Graduate Diploma (PhD) in Gender and Social Justice is normally made after the first year of doctoral study for entry into the program during the student’s second year of the PhD Program. Occasionally, students may be allowed to begin the Graduate Diploma in their third year of the PhD, but no later.

Available Gender Studies and Feminist Research Graduate Diploma

Students in our doctoral program are eligible to participate in the Graduate Diploma (PhD) in Gender and Social Justice. Application for the Graduate Diploma is normally made after the first year of doctoral study for entry into the program during the student’s second year of the PhD Program.  Occasionally, students may be allowed to begin the Graduate Diploma in their third year of the PhD, but no later.

Find a Humanities Expert

Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.

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School of Journalism, Writing, and Media

The School of Journalism, Writing, and Media (JWAM) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a new unit for innovative research, teaching, and practice in journalism and media, writing and communication, and knowledge production and mobilization. It brings together the graduate Master of Journalism program and the undergraduate Writing Studies program.

Our school is led by highly experienced and diverse, award-winning faculty who are known globally for their leadership and contribution to the fields of journalism, writing, and media studies. As an incubator for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and applied practice, our students gain a versatile, diverse and relevant set of skills, supporting them to succeed as journalists, writers, researchers, and media professionals at a time of significant shifts in communication, politics, and society. Our award-winning boutique graduate journalism program provides students with the professional training and academic grounding to help them succeed as a journalist in any medium.

Social Media Channels

• Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Journalism

• Research Supervisors

Jimmy Thomson

Katie Hyslop

Innovative journalism award for ubc journalism alums.

Two UBC Journalism alumni, Stephanie Kwetásel’wet Wood and Lindsay Sample, have being recognised for excellence in multimedia journalism. The two were part of the team at The Narwhal who received the coveted Webster Award for Excellence in Innovative Journalism at the 38th Jack Webster Awards on...

JWAM alumna to speak at Vancouver Writers Fest 2024

The post JWAM alumna to speak at Vancouver Writers Fest 2024 appeared first on School of Journalism, Writing, and Media.

Internship spotlight: Bismah Mughal

Bismah Mughal, a 2nd year Master of Journalism student, recently completed a 14-week internship with CBC News in Calgary. In this Q&A, Bismah shares her internship experience working with multiple media platforms, how it pushed her to grow as a storyteller, and helped her fall in love with...

UBC Journalism community shines with 16 Webster award nods

Alumni, faculty and a student lead the nominations for the 2024 Jack Webster Awards. They have received 16 nominations across seven of the 16 categories of the Websters, which recognize excellence in journalism across British Columbia. They are acclaimed for their outstanding journalism in...

JWAM Postdoctoral Research Fellow receives SSHRC Award

The post JWAM Postdoctoral Research Fellow receives SSHRC Award appeared first on School of Journalism, Writing, and Media.

JWAM alumni longlisted for CBC Nonfiction prize

The post JWAM alumni longlisted for CBC Nonfiction prize appeared first on School of Journalism, Writing, and Media.

Sign up for an information session to connect with students, advisors and faculty from across UBC and gain application advice and insight.

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Media and Communication Studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough

Learn the inner workings of today’s rapidly changing media landscape and tailor your studies around your interests in our customizable program. You’ll hone your media literacy skills and critically evaluate the limits and opportunities of modern media institutions and information technologies in our hands-on courses. Explore media and journalism through multiple perspectives — from the public to the private, on local and global scales.  

Choose from our two streams: 

• Media Studies stream : Gain the theoretical and critical thinking tools to dissect what it means to live in our media-focused culture at local, regional and global scales. You’ll evaluate media, analyze its underlying ideologies, and understand its cultural, political, economic, and social implications. Our courses will take you through the history of media and technology in different cultures, and you’ll thoroughly explore how media form and shape knowledge and meaning, and how media industries create, manage, and share information. 
• Journalism Studies stream: You’ll study and conduct research in a curriculum that emphasizes scholarly, conceptual understandings of journalism, including how journalism functions as an agent of change, its relationship to new technologies, and how cultures of information sharing are evolving. You’ll get the tools to comprehend, navigate, and adapt to today’s complicated media environment, whether as a journalist, policy advocate or informed citizen. This stream is for you if you’re interested in studying media while focusing on journalism and the news media industry, as well as journalism’s form, function, and meaning in a global and democratic society. 
• Political Economy of Media
• Media, Identities and Politics
• Critical Journalism

Contact Admissions & Student Recruitment