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.
Grad Program News
Karyn Riddle Quoted in NYT Article About the Effects Viewing Violent Media May Have on Teenagers
Just as research suggests that we should shield young viewers from seeing fictional depictions of smoking and suicide, studies indicate …
SJMC Ph.D. Student Yini Zhang Discusses Research Study About Post-Mass Shooting Sentiments on WPT's Here and Now
Beto O’Rourke Cites SJMC Research Study on Twitter. In the wake of events like a mass shooting, many turn to …