UW-Madison ranks as one of the top universities for communication and media studies in the world. Our doctoral program in mass communication, jointly administered with the Department of Life Sciences Communication, is internationally recognized for our faculty and areas of research. Our program offers: engaged advising and mentoring; training in quantitative and qualitative research methods; and opportunities for collaborative research.
Top 5
university for communication and media studies worldwide.
Faculty & Staff
Internationally recognized faculty
Research and Teaching Strengths
- Civic and political communication
- International & inter-cultural communication
- Information technologies
- Health, environmental and science communication
- History of communication
- Law and ethics of media
- Social networking and digital media
- Journalism studies
- Processes and effects of mediated communication
Explore our Graduate Programs
MASS COMMUNICATIONS Ph.D.
The Ph.D. degree in Mass Communications provides future academics and professionals with rigorous training in theory and research with highly individualized programs that students develop in consultation with their advisors.
Research M.A.
The Research M.A. focuses on developing tools in mass communication research and typically leads to enrollment in a doctoral program.
Professional M.A.
The professional M.A. typically leads to careers in news and information production.
Graduate Program News
SJMC Graduate Students and Faculty to Present at NCA Annual Convention
The National Communication Association will hold its annual convention virtually November 19-22, 2020. Here's a look at the sessions featuring SJMC students and faculty.
The Badger Report: Working Together While Staying Apart
Students' teamwork is being put to the test as The Badger Report transitioned to remote instruction. Read more about how students are working together while staying apart.
PhD Student Jianing “Janice” Li Receives Social Data Dissertation Fellowship from SSRC
Li was recently awarded the Social Data Dissertation Fellowship from the SSRC in order to study how citizens can form healthy skepticism toward information they encounter on social media.