The Media and Information Studies Ph.D. integrates conventional mass media research with new knowledge about the impacts of evolving information and communication technologies including the Internet, social media, mobiles, and digital games. Our approach is multidisciplinary through the participation of the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing; the School of Journalism and the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media. We have a diverse faculty with degrees in communication, advertising, public relations, journalism, economics, information studies, sociology, marketing, and computer science, all pursuing teaching and research opportunities in wide variety specialties. Our program earns top five rankings from the National Research Council and the National Communication Association in the areas of media, mass communication, and communication technology.
Our mission is to help our students succeed in developing into professional researchers and teachers. We support our students with teaching and research assistantships and vary their assignments to produce well-rounded scholars. Fellowships are available to highly qualified applicants. From the first day our students arrive on campus we involve them in faculty research projects that prepare them to make scholarly contributions in their own fields of interest. Our successful graduates hold faculty positions in prominent teaching institutions and research positions across the United States and around the world, creating a network of contacts for graduates of our program. Our students find East Lansing to be an affordable small city environment that is very conducive to completing their studies and launching successful careers.
