One of the most popular programmes among students all over the world is mass communication. Many people pursue a PhD in Journalism or Mass Communication after earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication is a research degree programme that can last 3-6 years, depending on the research area. The course’s primary goal is to conduct research on the chosen topic and to prepare candidates to teach. This article contains all of the information you need to know about a PhD in Mass Communication.
Overview of PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
The course highlights are shown in the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Level of Course | Doctorate |
| Full-Form | PhD. Journalism and Mass Communication |
| Duration of Course | 3 years |
| Examination type | Credit System |
| Eligibility Criteria | Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Candidates should also have cleared either national/ state/ university level entrance examination |
| Admission Process | Merit and entrance based |
| Course Fee | INR 4,000- 1,20,000 |
| Average Salary | 3-9 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Hindustan Times, ZEE TV networks, NDTV networks, BBC, and Times of India, The Hindu, The Print, The WireIn, etc. |
| Job Positions | Free Lance Writer, Lecturer and Professor, Journalist, Editor, Researcher, Communication and Brand Promotion Executive, Marketing and communication Associate. |
PhD Journalism and Mass Communication: Introduction
The following are key details and information about the PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication course.
- It is, as the name implies, a Doctorate level course in Journalism and Mass Communication.
- The course’s primary focus is research or entering the teaching profession.
- The course’s main topics include Advertising Theory, Theory of Culture and Media, Research Methodology, Communication Ethics, etc.
- The candidate must be up to date on current events and provide critical analysis of them.
- Before applying for the Doctorate programme, the applicant should be familiar with the fundamentals of journalism and mass communication.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
The following are the basic eligibility criteria for admission to PhD programmes in journalism and mass communication.
- The candidate must have a post-graduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from a recognised university.
- In order to pursue a PhD, they must also have a minimum percentage of 55%. Entrance exams such as NET JRF also require a minimum of 55 percent during post-graduation.
Admission Proces for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
The majority of journalism and mass communication is done on merit. Some colleges also accept NET JRF entrance exams. Private universities, such as Lovely Professional University, hold their own admissions processes.
- Registration: The first and most important step in the admissions process for a candidate is to register for the course via the college or university’s website. Exam forms are distributed well in advance of the start of the course, giving students plenty of time to fill them out.
- Details and Application Fee: When registering, it is critical to provide accurate information such as name, educational level, address, and so on. The candidate must submit the application fee after filling out the details.
- Admit card: After entering the required information and paying the fee, the candidate should download the admit card and keep it safe until the admission process is completed.
- Examination: Respected colleges and universities must administer an entrance exam. For better preparation, stick to the syllabus and read the previous year’s question papers.
- Results: When the results are released, candidates who qualify will be able to continue with their admissions process. Some may also publish a cut-off list for merit-based admissions. Post-graduation grades are taken into account.
- Counseling and admission: Candidates who pass the entrance exam or have merit can enrol in a college course.
Benefits of Pursuing PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
Pursuing a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication can serve a variety of purposes. The following is a list of the top reasons why people pursue a PhD.
- High Pay: A doctorate degree is the highest level of qualification and offers competitive pay to candidates. They can pursue a career in fields such as Lecturer and earn up to 12 LPA. Candidates who complete their PhD are awarded the title ‘Doctorate of Philosophy,’ which they can use in front of their name.
- Potential for research: The primary goal of a PhD is to provide candidates with research opportunities, allowing them to conduct research on a topic of their choice within the course and become experts in the field.
- Skills: PhD is a course that necessitates extensive research. It enables candidates to develop essential skills such as analytical abilities, problem-solving abilities, project management, discipline, and communication abilities.
- Future Benefits: The degree prepares students to become experts in journalism and mass communication. It opens up a variety of career options as a journalist, writer, professor, news critic, news reporter, and so on.
Top Entrance Exams for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
As previously stated, only a few universities offer admission based on entrance exams. These exams are discussed in greater depth.
- NET/NET JRF: This is a national-level examination for PhD admissions. Candidates must clear NET JRF to pursue a PhD with a stipend, and after clearing NET, candidates can apply to universities as professors. Universities, on the other hand, prefer NET JRF candidates.
- SET: The purpose of SET is to provide research opportunities at the state level. Candidates who pass become eligible to apply for research positions or to become professors at any university in the state in which they took the exam.
- LPUNEST: Lovely Professional University’s entrance exam is known as the LPUNEST. Candidates who score well on the entrance exam may also be eligible for scholarships.
- SUAT: Sharda University also has its own entrance exam for PhD admissions. Candidates who have received high marks in NET/ JRF/ SET are exempted and are called directly for an interview.
Preparation Tips for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
Here are some tips to help candidates prepare for the entrance exam.
- Exam syllabus should be thoroughly reviewed. It will allow you to concentrate on important topics rather than studying something completely different.
- Establish a study schedule. It will help you focus on each subject and give each topic equal time.
- It is more important to understand the fundamentals of the topics rather than memorise the answers. It will also assist you in answering complex or HOTs questions.
- For a better understanding of the entrance exams, go over previous year’s question papers. There are several books available for NET that include previous year question papers and answers.
- Despite the fact that entrance exams are focused 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, and so on.
- All entrance exams are multiple-choice questions with one correct answer. There is also a minus sign.
- It is critical to only attempt questions on which you are confident. Because there is a negative marking, it is best to avoid guesswork.
Top Colleges for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
The information provided below is for a few of the top colleges that offer PhD programmes in Journalism and Mass Communication:
| College Name | Average Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | INR 10,000 |
| Amity University, Noida | INR 50,000 |
| Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | INR 7,000 |
| Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | INR 1,20,000 |
| University of Madras, Chennai | INR 8,005 |
| Mysore University, Mysore | INR 35,740 |
| Bharathiar University, Coimbatore | N/A |
How to get admission in Top PhD Journalism and Mass Communication College?
Here are a few pointers to assist candidates in gaining admission to a good college for a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication.
- To excel in entrance exams, it is critical to complete the Post-Graduation syllabus.
- Aside from Journalism and Mass Communication, it is critical to concentrate on general subjects such as Reasoning, Aptitude, Reading Comprehension, and so on.
- It is critical to be aware of registration dates, exam dates, and result dates. It will help you avoid mishaps and give you enough time to prepare properly.
- Keeping up with current events is also important, especially when giving interviews. It makes a favourable impression on the board members.
Syllabus for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
As it is a PhD programme, there are several core, elective, and practical subjects from which to choose. Unlike Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, there is no set semester, and candidates conduct research in their chosen field.
Core subjects:
| Research Methodology 1 | Research Methodology 2 |
| Communication Theory | Research Writing and Ethics |
Elective subjects:
| Journalism Studies | Specialized and Analytical Journalism |
| Advertising and Public Relations research | Communication and Development Issues |
| Analyzing media, Messages, and audience | Hindi Cinema Studies |
| Issues in Media Economy | Media, Youth, and Participatory Government |
Recommended Books for PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
Here are a few books that can help candidates better understand the course:
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Writing to Change the World | Mary Pipher |
| Introduction to Media Production: The Path to Digital Media Production | Gorham Kindem and Robert B. Musburge |
| Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind | Tim Groseclose |
| The Ethics of Journalism: Individual, Institutional and Cultural Influences (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism) | PhD. Wendy N. Wyatt |
Job Profiles and Carrer Opportunities in PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
People who pursue a PhD have a variety of career options. Mass communication and journalism
- Candidates who complete the course can work as professors, writers, news reporters, news editors, marketing experts, journalists, and so on.
- The top sectors of the economy that employ people from this course include media, news, marketing, education, and so on.
- Candidates can also find work in both the public and private sectors. They can become civil servants in the government sector by passing additional national and state-level examinations. They can also become professors at government research institutions.
- People can become writers, marketing consultants, journalists, and even policy critics in the private sector.
Some of the most important job roles are listed below:
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Journalist | Journalists create, edit, proofread, research, and find new news stories to distribute through various forms of media. | INR 6,00,000-8,00,000 |
| Writer | Writers can either work for a company or self-publish their work. It includes writing in a book, blog, articles, and news reports, etc. | INR 5,00,000-6,00,000 |
| Event Manager | A degree in mass communication enables a candidate to become an expert in event management because it primarily involves communicating with people from various backgrounds and occupations. | INR 5,00,000-7,00,000 |
| Professor/ Lecturer | After becoming an expert in a field, individuals can become professors to help others learn about it. | INR 9,00,000-11,00,000 |
Future Scope in PhD Journalism and Mass Communication
Candidates usually begin working immediately after completing this course because it is the highest level of educational qualification in this field. However, if people do not want to work, they can pursue the following options.
- Competitive Exams: Candidates can prepare for a variety of competitive exams, particularly those for entry into the civil service. They can use their expertise in the field to perform well in exams and interviews.
- PhD in related fields: There is no limit to the number of PhDs a person can pursue. As a result, after completing a PhD. In addition to journalism and mass communication, people can pursue other PhDs in media studies.
- MBA: MBA is a popular professional course among candidates of all ages and educational backgrounds. People can specialise in areas such as human resources, marketing, and finance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. PhD programmes should only be pursued by candidates who are serious about their chosen subject. It necessitates extensive research and writing.
Ans. In private institutes, you can. However, you will have to take your own entrance exams such as LPUNET, JNU entrance exam, etc.
Ans. If you are only interested in conducting research on a specific subject, it is worthwhile. Because it takes at least three years to complete a PhD, dedication and persistence are essential.
Ans. First, you must complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minimum of 55 percent marks. Then take exams like NET and SET to become a professor.
