CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <title>Doctoral Program – College of Communication & Information Sciences</title> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//cis.ua.edu' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//use.typekit.net' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//assetfiles.ua.edu' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="College of Communication & Information Sciences » Feed" href="https://cis.ua.edu/feed/" /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="College of Communication & Information Sciences » Comments Feed" href="https://cis.ua.edu/comments/feed/" /> <script> window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/cis.ua.edu\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.4.2"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83e\udef1\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83e\udef2\ud83c\udfff","\ud83e\udef1\ud83c\udffb\u200b\ud83e\udef2\ud83c\udfff")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); </script> <style id='wp-block-heading-inline-css'> h1.has-background,h2.has-background,h3.has-background,h4.has-background,h5.has-background,h6.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}h1.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h1.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h2.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h2.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h3.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h3.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h4.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h4.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h5.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h5.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]),h6.has-text-align-left[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-lr]),h6.has-text-align-right[style*=writing-mode]:where([style*=vertical-rl]){rotate:180deg} </style> <style id='wp-block-paragraph-inline-css'> .is-small-text{font-size:.875em}.is-regular-text{font-size:1em}.is-large-text{font-size:2.25em}.is-larger-text{font-size:3em}.has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:left;font-size:8.4em;font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:.68;margin:.05em .1em 0 0;text-transform:uppercase}body.rtl .has-drop-cap:not(:focus):first-letter{float:none;margin-left:.1em}p.has-drop-cap.has-background{overflow:hidden}p.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em}:where(p.has-text-color:not(.has-link-color)) a{color:inherit}p.has-text-align-left[style*="writing-mode:vertical-lr"],p.has-text-align-right[style*="writing-mode:vertical-rl"]{rotate:180deg} </style> <style id='wp-block-button-inline-css'> .wp-block-button__link{box-sizing:border-box;cursor:pointer;display:inline-block;text-align:center;word-break:break-word}.wp-block-button__link.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-button__link.alignright{text-align:right}:where(.wp-block-button__link){border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration:none}.wp-block-button[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button__link{text-decoration:inherit}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-width{max-width:none}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-width .wp-block-button__link{width:100%}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.has-custom-font-size .wp-block-button__link{font-size:inherit}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-25{width:calc(25% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.75)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-50{width:calc(50% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.5)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-75{width:calc(75% - var(--wp--style--block-gap, .5em)*.25)}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-100{flex-basis:100%;width:100%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-25{width:25%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-50{width:50%}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button.wp-block-button__width-75{width:75%}.wp-block-button.is-style-squared,.wp-block-button__link.wp-block-button.is-style-squared{border-radius:0}.wp-block-button.no-border-radius,.wp-block-button__link.no-border-radius{border-radius:0!important}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline,.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link{border:2px solid;padding:.667em 1.333em}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline:not(.has-text-color),.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-text-color){color:currentColor}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.is-style-outline:not(.has-background),.wp-block-button.is-style-outline>.wp-block-button__link:not(.has-background){background-color:transparent;background-image:none}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where(.has-border-color){border-width:initial}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-style]){border-width:initial}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-top-style]){border-top-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-right-style]){border-right-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-bottom-style]){border-bottom-width:medium}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link:where([style*=border-left-style]){border-left-width:medium} </style> <style id='wp-block-buttons-inline-css'> .wp-block-buttons.is-vertical{flex-direction:column}.wp-block-buttons.is-vertical>.wp-block-button:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-buttons>.wp-block-button{display:inline-block;margin:0}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-left{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-left.is-vertical{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-center{justify-content:center}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-center.is-vertical{align-items:center}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-right.is-vertical{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-buttons.is-content-justification-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.wp-block-buttons.aligncenter{text-align:center}.wp-block-buttons:not(.is-content-justification-space-between,.is-content-justification-right,.is-content-justification-left,.is-content-justification-center) .wp-block-button.aligncenter{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-buttons[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button,.wp-block-buttons[style*=text-decoration] .wp-block-button__link{text-decoration:inherit}.wp-block-buttons.has-custom-font-size .wp-block-button__link{font-size:inherit}.wp-block-button.aligncenter{text-align:center} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-cover-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-includes/blocks/cover/style.min.css?ver=6.4.2' media='all' /> <style id='wp-block-cover-inline-css'> .wp-block-cover{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium);} </style> <style id='wp-block-post-title-inline-css'> .wp-block-post-title{box-sizing:border-box;word-break:break-word}.wp-block-post-title a{display:inline-block} </style> <style id='wp-block-group-inline-css'> .wp-block-group{box-sizing:border-box} </style> <style id='wp-block-table-inline-css'> .wp-block-table{overflow-x:auto}.wp-block-table table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%}.wp-block-table thead{border-bottom:3px solid}.wp-block-table tfoot{border-top:3px solid}.wp-block-table td,.wp-block-table th{border:1px solid;padding:.5em}.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout{table-layout:fixed;width:100%}.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout td,.wp-block-table .has-fixed-layout th{word-break:break-word}.wp-block-table.aligncenter,.wp-block-table.alignleft,.wp-block-table.alignright{display:table;width:auto}.wp-block-table.aligncenter td,.wp-block-table.aligncenter th,.wp-block-table.alignleft td,.wp-block-table.alignleft th,.wp-block-table.alignright td,.wp-block-table.alignright th{word-break:break-word}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#f3f4f5}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-green-background-color{background-color:#e9fbe5}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-blue-background-color{background-color:#e7f5fe}.wp-block-table .has-subtle-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:#fcf0ef}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes{background-color:transparent;border-bottom:1px solid #f0f0f0;border-collapse:inherit;border-spacing:0}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#f0f0f0}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-light-gray-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#f3f4f5}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-green-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#e9fbe5}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-blue-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#e7f5fe}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes.has-subtle-pale-pink-background-color tbody tr:nth-child(odd){background-color:#fcf0ef}.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes td,.wp-block-table.is-style-stripes th{border-color:transparent}.wp-block-table .has-border-color td,.wp-block-table .has-border-color th,.wp-block-table .has-border-color tr,.wp-block-table .has-border-color>*{border-color:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color] tr:first-child,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color] tr:first-child td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color] tr:first-child th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color]>*,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color]>* td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color]>* th{border-top-color:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-top-color] tr:not(:first-child){border-top-color:currentColor}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-right-color] td:last-child,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-right-color] th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-right-color] tr,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-right-color]>*{border-right-color:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color] tr:last-child,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color] tr:last-child td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color] tr:last-child th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color]>*,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color]>* td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color]>* th{border-bottom-color:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-bottom-color] tr:not(:last-child){border-bottom-color:currentColor}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-left-color] td:first-child,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-left-color] th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-left-color] tr,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-left-color]>*{border-left-color:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-style] td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-style] th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-style] tr,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-style]>*{border-style:inherit}.wp-block-table table[style*=border-width] td,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-width] th,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-width] tr,.wp-block-table table[style*=border-width]>*{border-style:inherit;border-width:inherit} </style> <style id='wp-block-list-inline-css'> ol,ul{box-sizing:border-box}ol.has-background,ul.has-background{padding:1.25em 2.375em} </style> <style id='wp-block-details-inline-css'> .wp-block-details{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden}.wp-block-details summary{cursor:pointer} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-social-links-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-includes/blocks/social-links/style.min.css?ver=6.4.2' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ua-theme-site-footer-style-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/src/site-blocks/site-footer/style.css?ver=0.1.0' media='all' /> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <style id='wp-block-library-inline-css'> :root{--wp-admin-theme-color:#007cba;--wp-admin-theme-color--rgb:0,124,186;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10:#006ba1;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-10--rgb:0,107,161;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20:#005a87;--wp-admin-theme-color-darker-20--rgb:0,90,135;--wp-admin-border-width-focus:2px;--wp-block-synced-color:#7a00df;--wp-block-synced-color--rgb:122,0,223}@media (min-resolution:192dpi){:root{--wp-admin-border-width-focus:1.5px}}.wp-element-button{cursor:pointer}:root{--wp--preset--font-size--normal:16px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge:42px}:root .has-very-light-gray-background-color{background-color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-background-color{background-color:#313131}:root .has-very-light-gray-color{color:#eee}:root .has-very-dark-gray-color{color:#313131}:root .has-vivid-green-cyan-to-vivid-cyan-blue-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#00d084,#0693e3)}:root .has-purple-crush-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#34e2e4,#4721fb 50%,#ab1dfe)}:root .has-hazy-dawn-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#faaca8,#dad0ec)}:root .has-subdued-olive-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fafae1,#67a671)}:root .has-atomic-cream-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#fdd79a,#004a59)}:root .has-nightshade-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#330968,#31cdcf)}:root .has-midnight-gradient-background{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381,#2874fc)}.has-regular-font-size{font-size:1em}.has-larger-font-size{font-size:2.625em}.has-normal-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--normal)}.has-huge-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--huge)}.has-text-align-center{text-align:center}.has-text-align-left{text-align:left}.has-text-align-right{text-align:right}#end-resizable-editor-section{display:none}.aligncenter{clear:both}.items-justified-left{justify-content:flex-start}.items-justified-center{justify-content:center}.items-justified-right{justify-content:flex-end}.items-justified-space-between{justify-content:space-between}.screen-reader-text{clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);word-wrap:normal!important;border:0;-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}.screen-reader-text:focus{clip:auto!important;background-color:#ddd;-webkit-clip-path:none;clip-path:none;color:#444;display:block;font-size:1em;height:auto;left:5px;line-height:normal;padding:15px 23px 14px;text-decoration:none;top:5px;width:auto;z-index:100000}html :where(.has-border-color){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-color]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-color]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-color]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-color]){border-left-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-width]){border-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-top-width]){border-top-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-right-width]){border-right-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-bottom-width]){border-bottom-style:solid}html :where([style*=border-left-width]){border-left-style:solid}html :where(img[class*=wp-image-]){height:auto;max-width:100%}:where(figure){margin:0 0 1em}html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:var(--wp-admin--admin-bar--height,0px)}@media screen and (max-width:600px){html :where(.is-position-sticky){--wp-admin--admin-bar--position-offset:0px}} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css'> body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link{--wp--preset--font-size--small: 1rem;--wp--preset--font-size--regular: 2rem;}.wp-block-cover{--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;}body { margin: 0;--wp--style--global--content-size: 58rem;--wp--style--global--wide-size: 78rem; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignleft { float: left; margin-right: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignright { float: right; margin-left: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .aligncenter { justify-content: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width: var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width: var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}body .is-layout-grid > *{margin: 0;}body{font-family: var(--ua_typeset--normal);font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium);padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium);text-decoration: underline;}.wp-element-button, .wp-block-button__link{background-color: var(--ua_color-link, #9e1b32);border-radius: 0;border-width: 0;color: var(--ua_color-link--inverse, white);font-family: inherit;font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small);letter-spacing: .2em;line-height: inherit;padding-top: .25em;padding-right: .75em;padding-bottom: .25em;padding-left: .75em;text-decoration: none;text-transform: uppercase;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.wp-block-button .wp-block-button__link.has-regular-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--regular) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.wp-block-cover.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;} .wp-block-navigation-link:hover { color:#9e1b32; transition-duration: .5s; } .highlight-text { color:#9e1b32; } .news-headline-img { margin-top:0; } .bold-text { font-weight:600; } .img-greyscale{ filter: grayscale(100%); } .img-greyscale:hover { filter: grayscale(0%); transition: 0.5s; } .img-grey-on-hover { opacity: 1; } .img-grey-on-hover:hover { opacity: 0.5; transition: 0.5s; } .img-color{ filter: grayscale(0%); } .img-color:hover { filter: grayscale(100%); transition: 0.5s; } .font-black{ color:black; } .font-white{ color:white; } .menu-border { border: none!important; } @media only screen and (max-width: 661px) { .headline-center { text-align:center; } } .italicize { font-style:italic; } .platinum { color:#cacae0; } .gold { color:#dab177; } .silver { color:#828A8F; } .bronze { color:#CD7F32; } .oswald { font-family:"oswald", sans-serif; } .border-box { border: 1px solid black; margin: 10px; } </style> <style id='core-block-supports-inline-css'> .wp-container-core-group-layout-10.wp-container-core-group-layout-10{flex-direction:column;align-items:flex-start;}.wp-container-core-social-links-layout-1.wp-container-core-social-links-layout-1{justify-content:flex-start;} </style> <style id='wp-block-template-skip-link-inline-css'> .skip-link.screen-reader-text { border: 0; clip: rect(1px,1px,1px,1px); clip-path: inset(50%); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; position: absolute !important; width: 1px; word-wrap: normal !important; } .skip-link.screen-reader-text:focus { background-color: #eee; clip: auto !important; clip-path: none; color: #444; display: block; font-size: 1em; height: auto; left: 5px; line-height: normal; padding: 15px 23px 14px; text-decoration: none; top: 5px; width: auto; z-index: 100000; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='ua-theme-style-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/style.css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,700,300|Open+Sans:400,300,600,700' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='typekit-fonts-css' href='https://use.typekit.net/pzq0leg.css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='fontawesome-css' href='https://assetfiles.ua.edu/fonts/fa_v6/fontawesome.css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='minerva-styles-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/assets/css/minerva.css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='cookie-banner-styles-css' href='https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/assets/css/cookie-banner.css' media='all' /> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/388" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://cis.ua.edu/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.4.2" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://cis.ua.edu/?p=388' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcis.ua.edu%2Fdoctoral-program%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcis.ua.edu%2Fdoctoral-program%2F&format=xml" /> <meta name="description" content="Create Your Story" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/favicons/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" href="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/favicons/icon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/favicons/manifest.webmanifest"> <script> (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5SHMFPP'); </script> </head> <body class="page-template-default page page-id-388 wp-embed-responsive"> <div class="wp-site-blocks"> <div class="wp-block-group ua_minerva is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow" id="app"> <header class="wp-block-template-part"><section class="ua_brand-bar"> <div class="ua_brand-bar_content"> <a href="https://ua.edu" class="ua_brand-bar_logo"> <img decoding="async" src="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/logos/UA_Wordmark-White.svg" alt="The University of Alabama" /> </a> <a href="http://mybama.ua.edu/" class="ua_brand-bar_link">myBama</a> </div> </section> <section id="UA_TitleBar" class="ua_title-bar"> <div class="ua_title-bar_content" id="UA_TitleBar_Content"> <div class="ua_title-bar_title-group"> <a href="https://cis.ua.edu" class="ua_title-bar_name"> College of Communication & Information Sciences </a></div> <button type="button" id="UA_TitleBarExpander" class="ua_title-bar_expander" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" aria-controls="UA_TitleBar_Search UA_PrimaryNav" > <span class="ua_title-bar_expander_closed" aria-hidden="false"> <span class="fa fa-bars" title="Expand title bar menu" aria-hidden="false"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand title bar menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_title-bar_expander_open" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="fa fa-xmark" title="Close title bar menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close title bar menu</span> </span> </button><form id="UA_TitleSearch" action="https://cis.ua.edu" method="GET" class="ua_input-group ua_title-bar_search" role="search" aria-label="Sitewide" aria-hidden="true"> <label class="visually-hidden" for="UA_TitleSearch_Input"> Search This Site </label> <input type="search" role="searchbox" name="s" id="UA_TitleSearch_Input" /> <button type="submit"> <span class="fa fa-magnifying-glass" title="Submit" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Submit</span> </button> </form> </div> <nav aria-label="Primary Navigation" class="ua_primary-navigation" id="UA_PrimaryNav" aria-hidden="true"><ul id="menu-main-nav" class="ua_primary-navigation_list"><li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/news/" data-text="News">News</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand News menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand News menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close News menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close News menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/news/communicator/" data-text="Communicator">Communicator</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/about/" data-text="About">About</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand About menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand About menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close About menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close About menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/accreditation/" data-text="Accreditation">Accreditation</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/awards/" data-text="Awards">Awards</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/about/community/" data-text="Community">Community</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/about/resources/" data-text="Resources">Resources</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/" data-text="Research">Research</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Research menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Research menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Research menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Research menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/icir/" data-text="The Institute for Communication and Information Research">The Institute for Communication and Information Research</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/labs/" data-text="Labs and Workspaces">Labs and Workspaces</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/office-of-research/" data-text="Office of Research">Office of Research</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/offices/opcam/" data-text="OPCaM">OPCaM</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/offices/" data-text="Research Offices">Research Offices</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/research/speaking-studio/" data-text="The Speaking Studio">The Speaking Studio</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/" data-text="Departments">Departments</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Departments menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Departments menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Departments menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Departments menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/apr/" data-text="Advertising & Public Relations">Advertising & Public Relations</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/dmc/" data-text="Digital Media Center">Digital Media Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/communication-studies/" data-text="Communication Studies">Communication Studies</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/jcm/" data-text="Journalism & Creative Media">Journalism & Creative Media</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/slis/" data-text="School of Lib and Info Studies">School of Lib and Info Studies</a></li> <li><a href="https://online.ua.edu/" data-text="UA Online">UA Online</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/" data-text="Undergraduate">Undergraduate</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Undergraduate menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Undergraduate menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Undergraduate menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Undergraduate menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/advising/" data-text="Advising">Advising</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/camp/" data-text="CAMP">CAMP</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/career-services/" data-text="Career Services">Career Services</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis-engagement-portal.oitapps.ua.edu/#/" data-text="Engagement Portal">Engagement Portal</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/funding/" data-text="Funding and Scholarships">Funding and Scholarships</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/get-involved/" data-text="Get Involved">Get Involved</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/industry-immersion/" data-text="Industry Immersion">Industry Immersion</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/internships/" data-text="Internships">Internships</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/undergraduate/llc/" data-text="Living-Learning Community">Living-Learning Community</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/graduate/" data-text="Graduate">Graduate</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Graduate menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Graduate menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Graduate menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Graduate menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/apr/masters/" data-text="Advertising & Public Relations MA">Advertising & Public Relations MA</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/slis/book-arts/" data-text="Book Arts MFA">Book Arts MFA</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/communication-studies/masters/" data-text="Communication Studies MA">Communication Studies MA</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/" data-text="Doctoral Program">Doctoral Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/funding/" data-text="Funding and Scholarships">Funding and Scholarships</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/jcm/masters/" data-text="Journalism & Media Studies MA">Journalism & Media Studies MA</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/departments/slis/mlis/" data-text="Lib & Info Studies MLIS">Lib & Info Studies MLIS</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/alumni/" data-text="Alumni">Alumni</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Alumni menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Alumni menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Alumni menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Alumni menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/alumni/events/" data-text="Alumni Events">Alumni Events</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/alumni/board-of-visitors/" data-text="Board of Visitors">Board of Visitors</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/giving/" data-text="Giving">Giving</a></li> <li><a href="https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bykEqMxFxjrILRA" data-text="Update your Info">Update your Info</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/" data-text="People">People</a> <button> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand People menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand People menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_primary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close People menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close People menu</span> </span> </button><ul> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#deans-office" data-text="Dean's Office">Dean’s Office</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#departments" data-text="Academic Departments">Academic Departments</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#digital-media" data-text="Digital Media">Digital Media</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#offices" data-text="Offices">Offices</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#research" data-text="Research">Research</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/people/#doctoral-students" data-text="Doctoral Students">Doctoral Students</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul></nav> </section></header> <main id="wp--skip-link--target" class="wp-block-group ua_page is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <header class="ua_page_header"><div class="wp-block-cover alignfull has-background"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim"></span><img width="2560" height="1707" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-35" alt="Reese Phifer" src="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2308007_JN_065_Reese_Phifer_Fronts-scaled.jpg" data-object-fit="cover" srcset="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2308007_JN_065_Reese_Phifer_Fronts-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2308007_JN_065_Reese_Phifer_Fronts-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2308007_JN_065_Reese_Phifer_Fronts-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2308007_JN_065_Reese_Phifer_Fronts-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained is-layout-constrained"><h1 class="wp-block-heading">Doctoral Program</h1><p>The doctoral program in the College of Communication & Information Sciences prepares students for top positions as researchers, scholars and thought leaders in academia, industry or government. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, PhD candidates work alongside world leaders in the field to develop research proficiency, breadth and a depth of knowledge.</p><p>Leveraging state-of-the art research facilities and world-class faculty from the College’s four departments, you may design your own study plan or select one of several concentrations. Through your work, develop research, leadership and teaching skills that expand and diversify the communication and information science fields.</p><div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"><div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/apply-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apply now</a></div><div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/communication-information-sciences/phd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">graduate catalog</a></div></div></div></div></header> <nav aria-label="Supplementary Navigation" class="ua_page_sub-nav ua_secondary-navigation" id="UA_SecondaryNav"><ul id="menu-doctoral-program" class="ua_secondary-navigation_list"><li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#program-overview" data-text="Program Overview">Program Overview</a></li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#prospective-students" data-text="Prospective Students">Prospective Students</a> <button> <span class="ua_secondary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Prospective Students menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Prospective Students menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_secondary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Prospective Students menu" aria-hidden="false"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Prospective Students menu</span> </span> </button><ul aria-hidden='true' aria-label='Prospective Students submenu'> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#admissions" data-text="Admissions">Admissions</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#application-requirements" data-text="Application Requirements">Application Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#expedited-admission" data-text="Expedited Admission Track">Expedited Admission Track</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#deadlines-timelines" data-text="Application Deadlines, Admission Timelines and Funding Considerations">Application Deadlines, Admission Timelines and Funding Considerations</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#financial-assistance" data-text="Financial Assistance">Financial Assistance</a></li> </ul> </li> <li aria-haspopup=true aria-expanded=false><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#current-students" data-text="Current Students">Current Students</a> <button> <span class="ua_secondary-navigation_inactive_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-down" title="Expand Current Students menu" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Expand Current Students menu</span> </span> <span class="ua_secondary-navigation_active_content"> <span class="fa fa-caret-up" title="Close Current Students menu" aria-hidden="false"></span> <span class="visually-hidden">Close Current Students menu</span> </span> </button><ul aria-hidden='true' aria-label='Current Students submenu'> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#program-requirements" data-text="Program Requirements">Program Requirements</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#advisors-committees" data-text="Academic Advisors and Dissertation Committees">Academic Advisors and Dissertation Committees</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#admission-candidacy" data-text="Admission to Candidacy">Admission to Candidacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#dissertation-exam" data-text="Dissertation and Final Exam">Dissertation and Final Exam</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#course-offerings" data-text="Projected Course Offerings">Projected Course Offerings</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/doctoral-program/#student-forms" data-text="Student Forms">Student Forms</a></li> </ul></nav> <div class="wp-block-group ua_page_content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"> <h1 class="wp-block-post-title">Doctoral Program</h1> <div class="entry-content is-layout-flow wp-block-post-content is-layout-constrained wp-block-post-content-is-layout-constrained"> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Program Overview</h2> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <p>Alongside concentrations, the program allows students to pursue interdisciplinary research led by world-class graduate faculty. We encourage students to pursue their own research in tandem with their coursework.  Our doctoral students study in small classes and work closely with faculty mentors. They also have access to word-class research and teaching facilities and +70 graduate faculty members.</p> <p>Doctoral students also develop a teaching portfolio by teaching undergraduate courses that align with their research. C&IS is one of the 10 largest and most comprehensive colleges of its kind, supporting more than 2,500 undergraduate students. Because of this, the pedagogical mentoring and teaching opportunities doctoral students experience here are unlike any other.</p> <p>For details about program requirements and curriculum for the doctoral program in Communication and Information Sciences, visit the <a href="https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/communication-information-sciences/phd/#text">UA Graduate Catalog</a>.</p> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Concentrations</h3> <div class="ua_component_wrapper ua_component_wrapper "><div class="ua_layout--grid" style="--grid-column-count: 2"> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Advertising & Public Relations</h4> <p>Applied communication through Advertising & Public Relations equips students to understand strategic communication management in a variety of settings, including corporate, health, nonprofit, sports and politics. Gain expertise in industry-wide communication issues and learn to approach them through a critical lens.</p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Book and Publishing Studies</h4> <p>Study the past and future of books and other published artifacts, as well as the processes of their generation and dissemination.</p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Health Communication</h4> <p>Health Communication combines communication studies, journalism, information science, advertising and public relations to craft a multidisciplinary program that examines how communication shapes the understanding, promotion and practice of individual and community health.</p> <p>Learn how to conduct cutting-edge research and engage in community-based projects. Alongside coursework, students also have an opportunity to work on projects in the Health Communication Lab and the Standardized Patient Communication Lab.</p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Interpersonal Communication</h4> <p>The Interpersonal Communication concentration provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for verbal and nonverbal communication. </p> <p>Learn the history, empirical developments and practical applications of interpersonal communication research, aligning with ongoing research with the Interpersonal Research Group (IRG) and the Alabama Life Institute.</p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Media Processes and Effects</h4> <p>The University of Alabama is a pioneer in the field of media processes and effects. Our faculty and alumni include past and present editors of <em>Communication Research</em>, <em>Media Psychology</em> and the <em>Journal of Computer Mediated Communication</em>. </p> <p>Through coursework and hands-on experience, gain insight into the processes behind mass media content creation and how media exposure affects beliefs, attitudes, emotions and behavior. </p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Rhetoric and Political Discourse</h4> <p>Rhetoric and Political Discourse focuses on shaping identities, communities, nation states and public culture. Establish expertise in classical and contemporary critical approaches to rhetoric and political discourse and use those lenses to understand how communication contributes to and resolves modern problems. </p> <p>Ultimately, the program aims to develop engaged citizen-scholars equipped with the skills to understand, critique, and invent influential communication.</p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy</h4> <p>Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy fosters fairness, equality and empowerment among diverse peoples. This concentration explores how information and communication intersects to advance social justice and make the world a better place for all. </p> <p>Examine the development of information and communication infrastructures, technologies, institutions and polices as sites of power that harbor and support inequalities. Explore socially just outcomes and interventions, and investigate how to develop better systems for underserved populations. </p> </div> <div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Online PhD</h4> <p>Online PhD students can pursue a focused area of study in library and information studies in either school library media or social justice. For the online degree, courses may be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous courses from CIS as well as the College of Education.</p> <p>Online PhD students are ineligible to complete a formal concentration in the program and are unable to pursue a focused area of study in any area other than library and information studies. For more information on the Online PhD, please visit the <a href="https://online.ua.edu/degrees/phd-in-communication-and-information-sciences/" data-type="link" data-id="https://online.ua.edu/degrees/phd-in-communication-and-information-sciences/#contact" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OTide website</a>.</p> <p>Contact the <a href="mailto:cisgradstudies@ua.edu">C&IS Office for Graduate Studies</a> for more informaton.</p> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prospective-students">Prospective PhD Students</h2> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="admissions">Admissions</h3> <p>Applicants must meet the admission criteria of the C&IS doctoral program and the <a href="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/apply-now/">Graduate School</a>.</p> <p>Normally, an applicant will have completed requirements for a master’s degree in a communication or library studies-related field, but C&IS considers individuals with advanced degrees in other fields if they can make clear cases showing how their previous graduate work applies to doctoral study in the program.</p> <p>We do not require applicants to submit test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), but we encourage applicants to include all materials that bolster their applications, including scores.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="application-requirements">Application Requirements</h3> <div class="ua_component_wrapper ua_component_wrapper "><ol class="ua_steps ua_layout--grid" > <li><h2 class="ua_steps-title">Graduate application form</h2><p> <p><a href="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/apply-now/" data-type="link" data-id="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/apply-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graduate School application</a></p> </p></li> <li><h2 class="ua_steps-title">Statement of Purpose</h2><p> <p><a href="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CIS-PhD-Statement-of-Purpose-Guidelines-10.21.19.pdf" data-type="link" data-id="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CIS-PhD-Statement-of-Purpose-Guidelines-10.21.19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SOP guidelines</a></p> </p></li> <li><h2 class="ua_steps-title">Writing sample</h2><p> <p><a href="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CIS-PhD-Writing-Sample-Guidelines.pdf" data-type="link" data-id="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CIS-PhD-Writing-Sample-Guidelines.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Writing sample guidelines</a></p> </p></li> <li><h2 class="ua_steps-title">Three academic references*</h2><p></p></li> </ol></div> <p><strong>* </strong>Letters of recommendation are required only if you would want to be considered for <a href="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/graduate-school-scholarships-fellowships/">University-wide fellowship opportunities</a>. Note: if you list references in the “letters of recommendation” section, those references will receive an automatic request to submit a letter.</p> <p>Non-native English speakers are required to provide English Language Proficiency Test Scores (TESOL).</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="expedited-admission">Expedited Admission Track</h4> <p>The <strong>expedited admission track</strong> grants admission to highly qualified students without a master’s degree. Such students will begin graduate coursework in a C&IS master’s degree program and pursue their PhD without needing to reapply or transfer credits. Candidates may count as many as 24 master’s hours toward their doctoral degree.</p> <p>We encourage expedited track students to apply to receive their master’s degree when they have completed all of the requirements. Students must complete the requirements for master’s degree to be awarded a PhD. </p> <p>Graduate assistants on the expedited track must complete the requirements for the master’s degree in four contiguous regular semesters to hold a graduate assistant position in their fifth (or subsequent) semesters.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="deadlines-timelines">Application Deadlines, Admission Timelines and Funding Considerations</h3> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Deadline Information</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 1 of the year preceding fall admission</td><td>Priority fall semester admission application deadline to be considered for nomination for university-wide fellowship awards.</td></tr><tr><td>December 31</td><td>Fall semester admission applications will be assessed by the program admission committee in days following December 31. Priority fall semester admission application deadline to be considered for graduate assistantship positions. Applications received after the priority deadline with be considered for graduate assistant positions as resources permit.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="financial-assistance">Financial Assistance</h3> <p>We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified students along with nominating students for University-wide fellowships. </p> <p>Upon admission, students will receive an invitation to complete a Graduate Assistant Interest Application to gauge their interest in becoming a graduate assistant. Funding offers are sent between January – April within the year of admission.</p> <div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://graduate.ua.edu/prospective-students/graduate-school-scholarships-fellowships">UA SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS</a></div> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://live-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/funding/">college and departmental scholarships</a></div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="current-students">Current PhD Students</h2> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="program-requirements">Program Requirements</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Scholastic Requirements</h4> <p>Curricular requirements are listed in the <a href="https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/communication-information-sciences/phd/#requirementstext" data-type="link" data-id="https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/communication-information-sciences/phd/#requirementstext">UA Graduate Catalog</a>. A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for graduate courses undertaken following admission to the doctoral program. A doctoral student whose grade point average falls below 3.00 at any time after 12 semester hours have been completed will be placed on academic warning by the Graduate School and the College of Communication and Information Sciences.</p> <p>A student on academic warning will not be permitted to apply for admission to candidacy and may not hold an assistantship. A student who earns a grade below “B” in more than two courses or who remains on academic warning after completing nine semester hours subsequent to being placed on academic warning is subject to removal from the program at the discretion of the college’s associate dean for graduate studies.</p> <p>Students who are dropped from the program may petition the college for readmission. The college may in turn make a request to the dean of the university Graduate School for approval of the student’s readmission.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Comprehensive Exams</h4> <p>A comprehensive examination is required of all doctoral students. This examination is given after</p> <ul> <li>any foreign language/research skill requirements are met;</li> <li>two full years of graduate study are completed; and</li> <li>the Dissertation Committee deems the student to have adequate preparation in the major and minor fields of study.</li> </ul> <div class="ua_component_wrapper"><details class="wp-block-details"><summary>More on comprehensive exams</summary><div class="details-content"><p>The examination is overseen by the student’s Dissertation Committee Chair, who has discretion on the individuals involved in the examination committee to include no fewer than 2 other members of the student’s Dissertation Committee. The chair may call on other faculty members associated with the student’s coursework for assistance in preparing the examination questions.<br></br></p><p>Whereas one of the purposes of the comprehensive examination is to determine the student’s research competence to begin work on a dissertation, the examination should be completed at least nine months before the degree is to be awarded. A student may take the examination only twice. Failing the examination twice results in dismissal from the degree program and the Graduate School.</p><p>The student must demonstrate, through written and oral components, a capacity to understand, synthesize, and apply theory and research techniques in communication and information sciences, as well as demonstrate knowledge of the pertinent literature, issues, and recent advances in the student’s concentration or focused area of study and cognate area of study. In other words, the examination must cover the student’s (1) theory core, (2) research methodology core, (3) concentration or focused area of study, and (4) cognate area.<br></br></p><p>Comprehensive exam questions may be answered exclusively in a controlled “in-house” format in the College, exclusively as a “take-home” format, or some combination of both “in-house” and “take-home” formats depending on the examination committee’s decision about the best way to examine a particular student. The oral component of the exam must be scheduled as quickly as possible following the written component. Oral components are determined by the examination committee, and examples include, but are not limited to, a formal defense by the student of each examination question, an academic discussion about theory and methods between the student and examination committee, or an academic conference-style presentation which includes a question and answer session.<br></br><br></br>Comprehensive examination questions that are assigned as “in-house” are closed book—meaning students must answer those questions on campus without reference material or internet access. No individual “in-house” examination question can exceed 4 hours, and the total time assigned for “in-house” examination questions cannot exceed 16 hours.</p><p>Comprehensive examination questions that are assigned as “take-home” are open book—meaning students may answer those questions from any location and may use any available reference materials. No individual “take-home” examination question can exceed 5 days, and the total time assigned for all “take-home” examination questions cannot exceed 21 days.<br></br></p><p>Upon completion of the comprehensive exam, the examination committee will convene to determine whether the student has passed, must perform additional work to demonstrate understanding of competency, or has failed the examination. All questions must be passed in order to pass the examination.</p><p>In the case of a clear failure, the re-examination must take place after six months and before twelve months have elapsed. Each question on the comprehensive exam may be taken only twice, and the examining committee may only rule either pass or fail on the second examination.</p></div></details></div> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Residency Requirement</h4> <p>The University of Alabama recognizes that doctoral students should be immersed in advanced study and inquiry, interact extensively and meaningfully with faculty and peers, engage with the academic community in their field, and have access to the educational resources of the university. To achieve these goals, a minimum of 50 percent of coursework hours to be counted in a student’s doctoral program must be from The University of Alabama (exclusive of dissertation research hours and subject to the Graduate Catalog’s Transfer of Credit policies). Additionally, 100 percent of dissertation credit hours must be from The University of Alabama. Diverse academic traditions, rapidly changing instructional modalities, and new student populations are acknowledged and accommodated with this policy.</p> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="advisors-committees">Academic Advisors and Dissertation Committees</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Academic Advisors</h4> <p>The Academic Advisor supervises the planning and completion of a student’s program of study. Students will be assigned an academic advisor upon enrollment in the doctoral program. The Academic Advisor will serve in the advisory role until such time as a dissertation chair is established. The Academic Advisor will meet the following criteria:</p> <ul> <li>Regular UA faculty member in the College of Communication & Information Sciences</li> <li>Full or associate member of the UA Graduate Faculty</li> <li>Holds a Ph.D. degree</li> </ul> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dissertation Committees</h4> <p>The Dissertation Committee, directed by its chairperson, leads the student through the preliminary examination and evaluates the dissertation proposal and dissertation proper. Students are encouraged to establish this committee at least six months before the preliminary examination is to occur. Students are not permitted to schedule the preliminary examination before this committee is established.</p> <p>The dissertation committee for the Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences must conform to the following policies:</p> <ul> <li>Not fewer than five members</li> <li>All members appointed as UA Graduate Faculty</li> <li>The committee chair is a full member of the UA Graduate Faculty</li> <li>A majority of members are full or associate Graduate Faculty members in the College of Communication and Information Sciences</li> <li>At least two members of the committee are full members of the UA Graduate Faculty</li> <li>At least one member is from outside the College of Communication and Information Sciences</li> <li>No more than one member holds an affiliate appointment to the UA Graduate Faculty</li> <li>A majority of members are regular UA faculty</li> </ul> <div class="ua_component_wrapper"><details class="wp-block-details"><summary>More on dissertation committees</summary><div class="details-content"><p></p><p>Following the successful completion of preliminary examinations, both the proposal and the completed dissertation must be defended before the committee. Students must successfully defend a dissertation proposal before conducting dissertation research. The successful dissertation defense is the last formal step to reception to the Ph.D. degree.<br></br></p><p>A dissertation committee, with the director of the dissertation as its chairperson, supervises the preparation of the dissertation. The graduate dean’s approval of the proposed dissertation committee is expected to be obtained before significant progress is made on the dissertation–typically just before or just after the dissertation proposal meeting. For this purpose, the student submits the form for Appointment/Change of a Doctoral Dissertation Committee, available online at the Graduate School website.<br></br></p><p>Students are advised to consult Graduate School policies related to dissertation committees, available in the UA graduate catalog. In addition to the policies of the Graduate School, the Ph.D. program in Communication and Information Sciences (a) prohibits more than one affiliate member of the university Graduate Faculty from serving on a dissertation committee; (b) requires that at least two members of the committee be full members of the university Graduate Faculty; and (c) requires that at a majority of committee members be full or associate Graduate Faculty members in the College of Communication and Information Sciences.<br></br></p><p>The dissertation committee shall have not fewer than five members.  Four members will serve as preliminary exam question writers and evaluators (see the Preliminary Exam policy under Program Requirements). All members of a dissertation committee must be members of the UA Graduate Faculty. The committee chair must be a full member of the Graduate Faculty. A majority of the dissertation committee members must be regular UA faculty. One member must be from outside the College of Communication and Information Sciences. If the outside member is not a full or associate member of the UA Graduate Faculty (e.g., a highly qualified person from another university, a business or industry), that member must be appointed an affiliate member of the UA Graduate Faculty for the specific purpose of serving on the student’s dissertation committee. Students and dissertation committee chairs who wish to nominate a highly qualified person from beyond UA for an affiliate Graduate faculty appointment begin this process by contacting the college’s associate dean for graduate studies.</p></div></details></div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="admission-candidacy">Admission to Candidacy</h3> <p>A student is certified by the Dean of the Graduate School for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences after meeting the following requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Completion of the program of coursework and other requirements prescribed by the student’s program advisory committee, approved by the CIS associate dean for graduate studies, and approved by the dean of the UA Graduate School on the Plan of Study and Admission to Candidacy forms.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="dissertation-exam">Dissertation and Final Exam</h3> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dissertation</h4> <p>After successful completion of the preliminary examination, degree candidates must submit a written proposal to their dissertation committee. The proposal describes the importance of the proposed topic, outlines the hypotheses to be evaluated, provide an overview of the relevant literature, specifies the methodology to be used, and includes a timetable for completion of the project. The dissertation must make a significant original contribution to the field of communication and information sciences and must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to report that research in writing in a clear, comprehensive, and scholarly manner.</p> <p>The defense of the dissertation cannot occur in the same semester as the defense of the dissertation proposal. Furthermore, the student must submit the proposal, and later the dissertation, to the Dissertation Committee at least 14 days prior to the defense. After the proposal has been circulated among the members, the student’s dissertation committee meets for the student’s oral defense of the proposal. The candidate must complete the dissertation within seven years of the date of admission to the doctoral program.</p> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Final Exam</h4> <p>The candidate must present a copy of the final draft of the dissertation to each committee member at least two weeks before the scheduled date of the final examination. After the dissertation has been completed and accepted by the candidate’s dissertation committee for purposes of the examination, the candidate will be given a final oral examination by the dissertation committee.</p> <p>The final examination is primarily concerned with the research embodied in the dissertation and with the field in which the dissertation lies, but it may extend over the student’s entire primary field of study. The final oral examination is governed by the rules of the Graduate School of The University of Alabama. All members of the Graduate Faculty of the College of Communication and Information Sciences are invited to attend.</p> <p>After the UA Graduate School has approved the dissertation the student is to provide the Office for Graduate Studies a bound copy of the final version of the dissertation. It is also recommended that the student present the chair and committee members a copy of the final version of the dissertation.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="course-offerings">Projected Course Offerings</h3> <p>Projected course offerings are subject to change based on curricular changes, faculty teaching availability, and student demand.</p> <div class="ua_component_wrapper"><details class="wp-block-details"><summary>Fall 2024 Course Offerings</summary><div class="details-content"><figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>CIS 603: Quantitative Research Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 604: Mass Communication Theory</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 605: Cultural and Critical Theory</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 608: Qualitative Research Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 610: Foundations of Doctoral Study C&IS</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 650: Community-engaged Research</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 650: Emergent Media Topic</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 650: Political Communication Topic OR CIS 673: Political Communication</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 662: Mediated Interpersonal Communication</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 665: Seminar on Communication Message Analysis</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 668: Social Justice & Inclusion Advocacy</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 671: Public Opinion</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 681: Advanced Quantitative Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 683: Advanced Topics in Media Processes & Effects</td></tr></tbody></table></figure></div></details></div> <div class="ua_component_wrapper"><details class="wp-block-details"><summary>Spring 2025 Course Offerings</summary><div class="details-content"><figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>CIS 603: Quantitative Research Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 608: Qualitative Research Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 610: Foundations of Doctoral Studies C&IS</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 650: Health Communication Topic OR CIS 659/664/670</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 652: Seminar on Cultural Critical Rhetorical Study</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 667: Persuasive Communication</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 669: Seminar on Visual Communication</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 680: Seminar on Media Processes & Effects</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 681: Advanced Quantitative Methods</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 682: Seminar on Advertising & Public Relations</td></tr><tr><td>CIS 684: Advanced Topics in Advertising & Public Relations</td></tr></tbody></table></figure></div></details></div></div> <div class="wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-layout-10 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="student-forms">Student Forms</h3> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Form</th><th>Timeline</th><th>Location</th><th>Initiator</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Request for Transfer Credits Form</strong></td><td>Before 30 hours of credits achieved</td><td><a href="https://graduate.ua.edu/test-the-links-200512qw5412th23q65b4996/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UA Graduate School Student Forms</a></td><td>Student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Evaluation of Credit Form</strong></td><td>Directly after approved Request for Transfer of Credits form</td><td><a href="https://powerforms.docusign.net/6dcf2b7a-d394-4363-8f8d-c994f44186f0?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f&accountId=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f" data-type="link" data-id="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Evaluation-of-Credit-Form.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a></td><td>PhD Program Lead/ OGS Program Assistant – after receiving completed form via PDF from student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Appointment/Change of Doctoral Dissertation Committee Form</strong></td><td>6 months before comprehensive exams; anytime committee change is needed</td><td><a href="https://slate.ua.edu/portal/ua-grad-student" data-type="link" data-id="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/PHD-Advisory-Committee.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UA Graduate Student Portal</a></td><td>PhD Program Lead/ OGS Program Assistant – after receiving completed form via PDF from student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>PhD Plan of Study</strong></td><td>Before comprehensive exams</td><td><a href="https://powerforms.docusign.net/8066ab5a-0cf5-4ab8-9db1-b54a21d9ac5e?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f&accountId=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f" data-type="link" data-id="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/outline_phd.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a></td><td>PhD Program Lead/ OGS Program Assistant – after receiving completed form via PDF from student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Admission to Candidacy</strong></td><td>After completing all coursework on Plan of Study, before registering for 699 dissertation hours</td><td>Slate</td><td>PhD Program Lead/ OGS Program Assistant – after receiving completed form via PDF from student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Comprehensive Exams Results Form</strong></td><td>After comprehensive exams defense</td><td>Slate</td><td>PhD Program Lead/OGS Program Assistant – after committee chair reports to PhD Program Lead</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Doctoral Dissertation Final Defense Form</strong></td><td>After dissertation defense</td><td>Slate</td><td>PhD Program Lead/OGS Program Assistant – after committee chair reports to PhD Program Lead</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Committee Acceptance For Electronic Thesis/Dissertation Form</strong></td><td>After dissertation final revisions approval</td><td><a href="https://powerforms.docusign.net/973f96b9-e7f7-4d2e-9ec2-03e0f3176f04?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f&accountId=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f" data-type="link" data-id="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Committee_Acceptance_Form_for_ETD-v-2016.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a></td><td>PhD Program Lead/ OGS Program Assistant – after receiving completed form via PDF from student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Alternative Core Course Approval</strong></td><td>Prior to Plan of Study (if applicable)</td><td><a href="https://powerforms.docusign.net/c66d6c2d-f0fb-40e7-bc32-8967c510cacf?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f" data-type="link" data-id="https://powerforms.docusign.net/c66d6c2d-f0fb-40e7-bc32-8967c510cacf?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f">Click here</a></td><td>Student</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Conference/Research Funding Request</strong></td><td>Prior to attending conference</td><td><a href="https://slate.ua.edu/account/login?r=https%3a%2f%2fslate.ua.edu%2fportal%2fua-grad-student" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UA Graduate Student Portal</a></td><td>Student</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Send forms to be initiated by PhD Program Lead or the OGS Program Assistant at <a href="mailto:cisgradstudies@ua.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cisgradstudies@ua.edu</a>.</p> <div class="ua_component_wrapper ua_component_wrapper "><ul class="ua_link-list ua_layout--grid" > <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PHD-Advisory-Committee.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Appointment or change of doctoral advisory committee</a></li> <li><a href="https://powerforms.docusign.net/c66d6c2d-f0fb-40e7-bc32-8967c510cacf?env=na2&acct=046ae80d-7495-4a39-a960-9a4b16ff5c0f" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Alternate core classes approval</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/outline_phd.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> PhD plan of study</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tx_grad_credit.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Request for transfer of graduate credit</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/exam_doc.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Doctoral qualifying exam form</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/committee_diss.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Appointment or change of doctoral dissertation committee</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/candidacy_doc.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Admission to candidacy for doctoral degree</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Committee_Acceptance_Form_for_ETD-v-2016.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Committee acceptance form</a></li> <li><a href="https://dev-ua-cis.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Evaluation-of-Credit-Form.pdf" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Evaluation of credit form</a></li> </ul></div> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></strong></p> <p> </div> </div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div class="wp-block-group"></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></strong></p> <p></div> <p></p></div> </div> </main> <footer class="wp-block-template-part"><section class="ua_site-footer"> <div class="ua_site-footer_container"> <div class="ua_site-footer_content"> <div class="ua_component_wrapper ua_component_wrapper alignfull"><div class="ua_layout--grid" style="--grid-column-count: 2"> <div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Contact Us</h3> <p><i class="fa-solid fa fa-map-pin"></i> Box 870172<br> Tuscaloosa, AL 35487</p> <p><i class="fa-li fa fa-envelope link-primary"></i> uaccis@ua.edu</a></p> <ul class="wp-block-social-links alignleft has-huge-icon-size is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-layout-1 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex"><li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://facebook.com/uaccis" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Facebook</span></a></li> <li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://instagram.com/uaccis" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Instagram</span></a></li> <li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UACCIS" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M21.8,8.001c0,0-0.195-1.378-0.795-1.985c-0.76-0.797-1.613-0.801-2.004-0.847c-2.799-0.202-6.997-0.202-6.997-0.202 h-0.009c0,0-4.198,0-6.997,0.202C4.608,5.216,3.756,5.22,2.995,6.016C2.395,6.623,2.2,8.001,2.2,8.001S2,9.62,2,11.238v1.517 c0,1.618,0.2,3.237,0.2,3.237s0.195,1.378,0.795,1.985c0.761,0.797,1.76,0.771,2.205,0.855c1.6,0.153,6.8,0.201,6.8,0.201 s4.203-0.006,7.001-0.209c0.391-0.047,1.243-0.051,2.004-0.847c0.6-0.607,0.795-1.985,0.795-1.985s0.2-1.618,0.2-3.237v-1.517 C22,9.62,21.8,8.001,21.8,8.001z M9.935,14.594l-0.001-5.62l5.404,2.82L9.935,14.594z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">YouTube</span></a></li> <li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://linkedin.com/company/uaccis" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">LinkedIn</span></a></li> <li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-x wp-block-social-link"><a href="https://x.com/uaccis" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M13.982 10.622 20.54 3h-1.554l-5.693 6.618L8.745 3H3.5l6.876 10.007L3.5 21h1.554l6.012-6.989L15.868 21h5.245l-7.131-10.378Zm-2.128 2.474-.697-.997-5.543-7.93H8l4.474 6.4.697.996 5.815 8.318h-2.387l-4.745-6.787Z" /></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">X</span></a></li> <li class="wp-social-link wp-social-link-mail wp-block-social-link"><a href="mailto:uaccis@ua.edu" class="wp-block-social-link-anchor"><svg width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M19,5H5c-1.1,0-2,.9-2,2v10c0,1.1.9,2,2,2h14c1.1,0,2-.9,2-2V7c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm.5,12c0,.3-.2.5-.5.5H5c-.3,0-.5-.2-.5-.5V9.8l7.5,5.6,7.5-5.6V17zm0-9.1L12,13.6,4.5,7.9V7c0-.3.2-.5.5-.5h14c.3,0,.5.2.5.5v.9z"></path></svg><span class="wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text">Mail</span></a></li></ul> <div class="logged-out wp-block-loginout"><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fcis.ua.edu%2Fdoctoral-program%2F">Log in</a></div> </div> <div> <div class="ua_component_wrapper ua_component_wrapper "><ul class="ua_link-list ua_layout--grid" style="--grid-column-count: 1"> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/accreditation/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Accreditation</a></li> <li><a href="https://admissions.ua.edu/apply/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Apply to UA</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/cisbrand/" class="ua_link-list_item"> C&IS Brand Resources</a></li> <li><a href="https://alabama.box.com/s/yzmdy3kmqjg422dnnwechy0h5uoppy1k" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> C&IS Faculty and Staff Resources</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/commadv/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Communication & Advancement</a></li> <li><a href="https://catalog.ua.edu/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Course Catalog</a></li> <li><a href="https://news.ua.edu/experts-directory/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Experts Database</a></li> <li><a href="https://cis.ua.edu/giving/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Giving</a></li> <li><a href="https://commencement.ua.edu/" class="ua_link-list_item"> Graduation</a></li> <li><a href="https://ods.ua.edu" class="ua_link-list_item"> Office Of Disability Services</a></li> <li><a href="https://ocs.ua.edu/" class="ua_link-list_item" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Opportunities, Connections and Success</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div></div> </div> <div class="ua_site-footer_logos"> <img decoding="async" class="ua_site-footer_ua-systems" alt="Part of the University of Alabama System" src="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/logos/UA_System.svg" /> <img decoding="async" class="ua_site-footer_denny-chimes" alt="Illustration of Denny Chimes" src="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/logos/Denny_Chimes-Crimson.svg" /> </div> </div> </section> <section class="ua_brand-footer"> <div class="ua_brand-footer_content"> <div class="ua_brand-footer_logo-copyright"> <img decoding="async" src="https://assetfiles.ua.edu/brand/logos/Capstone_A-White.svg" alt="The University of Alabama Logo" /> <p> <span> <a href="https://www.ua.edu/copyright">Copyright © 2025</a> <a href="https://www.ua.edu"> The University of Alabama</a> </span> <span> <a href="tel:+12053486010">(205) 348-6010</a> </span> <span> <a href="https://www.ua.edu/contact">Contact UA</a> </span> </p> </div> <nav aria-label="Legal Links"> <ul class="ua_brand-footer_link-list"> <li> <a href="http://accessibility.ua.edu/">Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://oie.ua.edu/accreditation">SACSCOC</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://login.ua.edu/cas/login?service=https%3a%2f%2fw.taskstream.com%2fCas%2fLogin%3fpartnerId%3dksh0hphohk"> Taskstream </a> </li> <li> <a href="http://eop.ua.edu/">Equal Opportunity</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://compliance.ua.edu/privacy/dsar/">Data Access Request</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ua.edu/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ua.edu/privacy">Privacy</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ua.edu/aboutsite">About This Site</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </section></footer> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { // Get the full current URL var currentURL = window.location.href; // Check if the path includes /wp-login.php or /wp-admin/ if (currentURL.indexOf('/wp-login.php') === -1 && currentURL.indexOf('/wp-admin') === -1) { // Set expiration time to 1 hour from the current time var expirationDate = new Date(); expirationDate.setTime(expirationDate.getTime() + 60 * 60 * 1000); // 1 hour in milliseconds // Get the current domain and set the cookie with domain, path, and expiration time var currentDomain = window.location.hostname; document.cookie = 'ppc_last_visited_page=' + currentURL + '; path=/; domain=' + currentDomain + '; expires=' + expirationDate.toUTCString(); } }); </script>  <noscript> <iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5SHMFPP" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript> <div class="ua_cookie-banner__container" hidden id="ua_cookie-banner__container"> <div class="ua_cookie-banner__content"> <p>This website uses cookies to collect information to improve your browsing experience. Please review our <a href="https://www.ua.edu/privacy">Privacy Statement</a> for more information.</p> <button>I understand</button> </div> </div><script id="wp-block-template-skip-link-js-after"> ( function() { var skipLinkTarget = document.querySelector( 'main' ), sibling, skipLinkTargetID, skipLink; // Early exit if a skip-link target can't be located. if ( ! skipLinkTarget ) { return; } /* * Get the site wrapper. * The skip-link will be injected in the beginning of it. */ sibling = document.querySelector( '.wp-site-blocks' ); // Early exit if the root element was not found. if ( ! sibling ) { return; } // Get the skip-link target's ID, and generate one if it doesn't exist. skipLinkTargetID = skipLinkTarget.id; if ( ! skipLinkTargetID ) { skipLinkTargetID = 'wp--skip-link--target'; skipLinkTarget.id = skipLinkTargetID; } // Create the skip link. skipLink = document.createElement( 'a' ); skipLink.classList.add( 'skip-link', 'screen-reader-text' ); skipLink.href = '#' + skipLinkTargetID; skipLink.innerHTML = 'Skip to content'; // Inject the skip link. sibling.parentElement.insertBefore( skipLink, sibling ); }() ); </script> <script src="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/assets/js/minerva.js?ver=6.4.2" id="minerva-js-js"></script> <script src="https://cis.ua.edu/wp-content/themes/ua-theme_v3/assets/js/cookie-banner.js?ver=6.4.2" id="cookie-banner-js-js"></script> </body> </html>