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PhD

The objectives of the PhD program include:

1.

Providing experience and training in advanced research, and developing critical and analytical skills.

2.

Preparing candidates for a career in teaching, or research in cultural industries or nonprofit organizations.

3.

Providing a broad knowledge of the fields of Communication Studies and Cultural Studies with an emphasis on two of the program’s three fields (Media and Culture, Policy and Practice and Technology in Practice).

4.

Facilitating the acquisition of autonomy in conducting research, through the dissertation as well as such avenues as conference papers, scholarly publications, policy consulting, and creative exhibitions.

FAQ

Students have full access to academic facilities and services at both universities. The required MA and PhD core courses are normally offered both at York and Toronto Metropolitan University. All other courses are offered usually at the campus where the instructor has her or his primary appointment. There are two Graduate Program Directors, one at each university. For administrative reasons, students must directly apply to either York or Toronto Metropolitan University. There are minor differences in ancillary fees, student support and regulations between the two universities. Only York has graduate residences. 

The commute between the two campuses takes about one hour by TTC and 40 minutes to one hour by car.  

There are academic and applied courses offered at both universities. Please see the Course Listings section for more details.

Since moving to the Technology Enhanced Learning building, ComCult at York has access to more technical equipment than ever before. However, access is not always available because of budgetary constraints and competition with undergraduate requirements. The program's mandate is academic and critical, and the applied aspect of the program is meant to supplement the theoretical aspect. In particular, we have limited capacity to train students in media making.  

At York, the program is most closely associated with Communication Studies in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Faculty are drawn from Environmental Studies, Humanities, Political Science, Cinema & Media Studies, Visual Arts & Art History, Design, Osgoode Hall Law School, the Schulich School of Business, among others. At Toronto Metropolitan University, faculty are drawn from Image Arts, Radio and Television Arts, Journalism, Information Technology Management, English, Political Science, Sociology, among others.

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The York & Toronto Metropolitan University Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education.