Information Science Ph.D. with a Concentration in Journalism

The University of North Texas Interdisciplinary Information Science Ph.D. Program (or IS Ph.D. Program) responds to the varied and changing needs of the information age, therefore offering the Journalism Concentration jointly with the UNT Mayborn School of Journalism. The concentration will provide the opportunity for interdisciplinary training, research and professional services in journalism. This concentration will prepare highly-trained academics that are capable of conducting research on the information aspects of journalism.
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Degree Requirements

A student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the Master’s degree or 72 hours beyond the bachelor's degree. This includes organized coursework, directed study and research, and the dissertation. Additional courses above the 60 hours may be stipulated as needed, such as the research tool requirement.

Degree plans must be planned and approved under faculty supervision. A degree plan form has to be completed for each student. 

Core Courses (12 Hours)


Note: This section of the degree plan is the same for every concentration or general program of study in the Information Science, PhD program.
  • INFO 6000 - Seminar in Information Science
  • INFO 6660 - Readings in Information Science
  • INFO 6700 - Seminar in Communication and Use of Information
  • INFO 6945 - Trends and Issues in Information Science

Research Courses (21 Hours)

Minimum of 21 hours, e.g. individual research courses, direct studies, special topics courses, internships and doctoral dissertation. 

NOTE: This section of the degree plan is the same for every concentration or general program of study in the Information Science, PhD program.

  • INFO 6940 - Research Methodology in Information Science
  • Quantitative Research Methods/Statistics (3 graduate hours in consultation with advisor)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (3 graduate hours in consultation with advisor)
  • Dissertation Hours (minimum of 12 hours of INFO 6950 with the major professor after completion of course work and qualifying examination)

Concentration Core Courses (15 Hours)

  • INFO 5040 - Information Behavior
  • INFO 5815 - Topics in Digital Imaging for Information Professionals
  • JOUR 5040 - Media Studies and Theories
  • JOUR 5310 - Media Ethics
  • JOUR 5320 - New Technologies of Mass Communication

Concentration Electives (12 Hours)

Minimum of 12 hours. The following is a partial list; other relevant courses may be used upon department approval.

NOTE: These courses are open for all Information Science, PhD program students regardless of concentration.
  • INFO 5307 - Knowledge Management Tools and Technologies
  • INFO 5441 - Advanced Storytelling
  • INFO 5707 - Data Modeling for Information Professionals
  • INFO 5711 - Internet Applications, Services and Management for Information Professionals
  • INFO 5735 - Usability and User Experience Metrics
  • INFO 5810 - Data Analysis and Knowledge Discovery
  • INFO 5841 - Digital Curation Fundamentals
  • INFO 5960 - Library and Information Sciences Institute or Seminar
  • INFO 6740 - Scholarly and Scientific Communication
  • INFO 6930 - Information and Communication Measurement
  • JOUR 5140 - Strategic Persuasion and Media Effects
  • JOUR 5150 - International Mass Communication
  • JOUR 5210 - Race, Gender and the Media: A Methods Approach
  • JOUR 5220 - Advanced Business Journalism
  • JOUR 5280 - Media Management
  • JOUR 5330 - Strategic Social Media
  • JOUR 5520 - Advanced Study in Advertising and Public Relations for Social Good
  • JOUR 5700 - Advanced Feature Writing
  • JOUR 5710 - Narrative Journalism
  • JOUR 5750 - Advanced Multimedia Storytelling for News
WHY EARN A INFORMATION SCIENCE PH.D. WITH A CONCENTRATION IN JOURNALISM?

The University of North Texas Information Science Ph.D. Program with a concentration in journalism, developed and offered jointly with UNT Mayborn School of Journalism, responds to the varied and changing needs of an information age, increasing recognition of the central role of information and information technologies in individual, social, economic, and cultural affairs.

The mission of the University of North Texas (UNT) Information Science (IS) Ph.D. Program is to provide a center of excellence in graduate education and research. Its primary goals are to:

  • Nurture critical and reflective thinking on the fundamental issues and elements of problems of utilization of information
  • Foster an environment of substantive and productive mentoring and apprenticeship
  • Prepare scholars passionate about the role of information in human affairs
  • Foster cross-disciplinary thinking and research.

Students are recruited to the program from a wide range of disciplines and encouraged to expand and refocus their expertise and skills in cutting-edge areas of information science that cross disciplinary boundaries. The multifaceted nature of information science warrants the focusing of resources, courses, and faculties from a broad range of academic units.

MARKETABLE SKILLS
  • Research and publication
  • Pedagogical practices
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership ability
  • Data analysis

 

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