NCA's Doctoral Program Guide

The UCSB Department of Communication is internationally known for its research and education in communication processes and effects. Their mission is to provide theoretically motivated, innovative, and rigorous research, teaching, and service. The UCSB Department of Communication help students, researchers, and professionals understand how communication is developed, interpreted, and exchanged to inform, influence, and connect across a wide range of social contexts and cultures.

Admission Requirements

• Online application.
• Transcripts.
• Statement of purpose; Personal achievements/contributions; Resume/CV.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• GRE (for all) and TOEFL (for applicants whose native language is not English) Scores.

Graduate Faculty

• Professor Tamara Afifi, Ph.D., University of Nebraska
• Professor Walid Afifi, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Professor Norah Dunbar, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Professor Andrew Flanagin, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Professor Jennifer Gibbs, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Professor Howard Giles, Ph.D., University of Bristol
• Assistant Professor Amy Gonzales, Ph.D., Cornell University
• Associate Professor Jennifer Kam, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
• Assistant Professor Young Ji Kim, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Assistant Professor Dan Lane, Ph.D., University of Michigan
• Professor Daniel Linz, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
• Professor Dana Mastro, Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Associate Professor Andy Merolla, Ph.D., Ohio State University
• Professor Miriam Metzger, Ph.D., University of Southern California
• Professor Karen Myers, Ph.D., Arizona State University
• Professor Robin Nabi, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
• Professor W. James Potter, Ph.D., Florida State University
• Professor Scott Reid, Ph.D., University of Queensland
• Professor Ronald E. Rice, Ph.D., Stanford University
• Professor Cynthia Stohl, Ph.D., Purdue University 
• Professor Michael Stohl, Ph.D., Northwestern University
• Professor Joseph Walther, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Professor Rene Weber, Ph.D., Berlin University of Technology

NCA Awards Received by Faculty and Students, 2000-present

• Distinguished Scholar Award, 2021
• Gerald M. Phillips Award for Distinguished Applied Communication Scholarship, 2021
• Miller Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2018
• Becker Distinguished Service Award, 2012
• Phillips Award for Distinguished Applied Communication Scholarship, 2012
• Knapp Award in Interpersonal Communication, 2009
• Kibler Memorial Award, 2008