PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication

PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication is a research degree course where the course duration can range anything between 3-6 years, depending upon the area of research. The main focus of the course is to research the chosen topic and to equip candidates with teaching skills.

The candidates should have a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with an aggregate of 55% to become eligible. Some colleges may require candidates to write entrance exams.

For admission to the course with the entrance exams, some candidates might be called for personal interviews or group discussions. Some popular entrance exams are LPU NEST, NET, SEAT and more.

PhD Journalism and Mass Communication: Course Highlights 

The table below provides a highlight of the course.

Course Level

Doctorate

Full-Form

PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication

Duration

3 years

Examination type

Credit System

Eligibility

Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Candidates should also have cleared either national/ state/ university level entrance examination

Admission Process

Merit and entrance-based

PhD Journalism and Mass Communication What is it about? 

Key information and details about the course PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication are as follows.

As the name mentions, it is a Doctorate level course in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The main focus of the course is research or entering the teaching profession.

The main subjects of the course are Advertising Theory, Theory of Culture and Media, Research Methodology, Ethics of Communication, etc.

The candidate must keep up with current affairs and also provide critical analysis for the same.

The person should already be well-versed with the basics of journalism and mass communication before applying for the Doctorate program.

Why study PhD Journalism and Mass Communication?

The purpose of pursuing a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication can vary from person to person. Here is the list of top reasons why people pursue a PhD.

High Pay: The doctorate course is the highest level of qualification and also provides good pay for candidates. They can pursue a profession in career fields like Lecturer and earn up to 12 LPA.

On completion of PhD, Candidates are given the title of ‘Doctorate of Philosophy and can put it in front of their name.

Research potential: The main purpose of a PhD is to provide research opportunities to candidates, they can research on the topic of their choice within the course and become experts in the field.

Skills: PhD is a course that requires extensive research. It allows the candidates to inculcate essential skills like Analytical skills, Problem-solving skills, Project management, Discipline, and Communication skills.

Future Benefits: The degree allows people to become experts in the field of journalism and mass communication. It opens up various career opportunities as a journalist, writer, professor, news critic, news reporter, etc.

The Benefits of a PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism

Getting a doctorate in mass communication is a great way to pursue a research-oriented career. The program emphasizes scholarly research and cross-disciplinary approaches, requiring students to take courses in fields other than journalism. A doctorate in mass communications will give you the ability to study the impact of media on human society. It is also an excellent way to further your education. Here are some of the benefits of earning a doctorate in mass communication:

The Ph.D. program in mass communication focuses on independent research and teaching in higher education. A graduate can work towards a position in government, corporate communications, or the media. This degree will give you the critical-thinking skills necessary for many jobs, including those in the government, business, or the media. The program will help you become an expert in your field and improve your chances of getting a job.

A Ph.D. in mass communication and journalism will prepare you for a career in journalism or mass communication. It will give you skills that future employers are seeking. You will have the knowledge and expertise needed to analyze media, conduct research, and analyze data. In addition, a Ph.D. in mass communication will prepare you for a professional career in the media or in journalism education. You can choose to take courses part-time or online, depending on your schedule and other needs.

Syllabus of PhD Journalism and Mass Communication

Since it is a PhD program, there are several core, elective and practical subjects to choose from. Unlike Bachelor or Master courses, there is no defined semester and candidates carry out their research in their chosen subject.

The core subjects are given below:

1. Research Methodology 1
2. Communication Theory
3. Research Methodology 2
4. Research Writing and Ethics

The elective subjects are given below:

• Journalism Studies
• Advertising and Public Relations research
• Analyzing media, Messages, and audience
• Issues in Media Economy
• Specialized and Analytical Journalism
• Communication and Development Issues
• Hindi Cinema Studies
• Media, Youth, and Participatory Government

PhD Journalism and Mass Communication Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility criteria for admissions in PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication are mentioned below.

Candidate must have completed their post-graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication from a recognized university.

They should also have a minimum percentage of 55% to pursue a PhD. Entrance exams like NET JRF also require the candidate to have a minimum of 55% during post-graduation.

PhD Journalism and Mass Communication Entrance Exams

As mentioned, few universities take admissions on the basis of entrance exams. These exams are discussed further in detail.

NET/NET JRF: It is a national-level examination conducted for admissions in PhD. To pursue PhD along with a stipend, candidates must clear NET JRF, whereas after clearing NET candidates can become eligible to apply for universities as professors. However, NET JRF candidates are preferred by universities.

SET: SET is conducted to provide research opportunities at the state level. Candidates who pass become eligible to apply for research or to become professors at any university within the state they have appeared.

LPUNEST: LPUNEST is the entrance exam conducted by Lovely Professional University. Candidates can also become eligible for scholarships if their score in the entrance exam is high.

SUAT: Sharda University also conducts its own entrance test for admissions in PhD. However, candidates who have scored good marks in NET/ JRF/ SET are exempted and are directly called for an interview.

How to prepare for the PhD Journalism and Mass Communication entrance exam?

Here are a few points which can help candidates prepare for the entrance exam.

Go through the syllabus of the exam thoroughly. It will help you focus on important topics rather than studying a completely different topic.

Develop a timetable for studying. It will help you focus on every subject and give equal time to every topic.

Rather than mugging up the answers, it is important to understand the basics of the topics. It will also help you solve complex or HOTs questions

Go through the previous year's question papers for a better understanding of the entrance exams. There are several books available for NET which contain previous year question papers along with the answers.

Even though entrance exams focus on Mass Communication and Journalism, there is a separate section for Analytical skills, aptitude skills, teaching skills, Logical reasoning, Communication, People and Environment, Reading Comprehension, etc.

All the entrance exams are conducted as MCQs with one correct answer. There is also a negative marking.

It is important to only attempt the questions which you are sure of. Since there is a negative marking, guesswork should be avoided.

Job Profiles After Completed PhD Journalism and Mass Communication

There are several career options available for people who pursue a PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication.

After the course, candidates can become professors, writers, news reporters, news editors, Marketing experts, Journalists, etc.

The top sectors of the economy which employ people from this course are media, news, Marketing sector, educational sector, etc.

Candidates can also get employed in both government and private sector. In the government sector, they can become civil servants by giving other national and state-level examinations. They can also become professors in government institutes.

In the private sector, people can become writers, work for a marketing company, become journalists, and even policy critics.

• Journalist
• Writer
• Event Manager
• Professor/ Lecturer

Future Scope of PhD Journalism and Mass Communication 

Candidates usually start working after this course as it is the highest level of educational qualification in this field. However, here are a few things that people can pursue if they do not wish to work.

Competitive Exams: Candidates can prepare for various competitive exams, especially for joining the civil services. They can use their expertise in the field to excel in exams as well as interviews.

PhD in related fields: There is no limit as to how many PhDs can a person pursue. Thus, after completing a PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication, people can also pursue other PhDs Media studies.

MBA: MBA is one of the most opted-for professional courses by candidates of all ages and educational backgrounds. People can choose from a variety of specialities like Human Resource, Marketing, Finance, etc.