Areas of Study

We offer training in the seven broad areas of investigation listed below. It is important to note that most of our students carry out individualized programs of research that cut across these categories. A student might, for example, focus on the cognitive and emotional foundations of interpersonal communication, the role of information and communication technologies in health, computational approaches to politics, or the convergence of traditional and new media, to mention just a few examples.

Cognition, Emotion and Communication

Investigate the cognitive and emotional foundations of human communication across contexts and domains...

Computational Communication Research

Master the application of computational methods to understand communication phenomena at the individual, group, and societal levels of analysis...

Health Communication

Apply communication theories to understand and change health-related cognitions, emotions and behaviors...

Information and Communication Technologies

Investigate the nature and effects of information and communication technologies across a wide range of settings...

Interpersonal Communication

Elucidate the fundamental processes that underlying interpersonal communication and social interaction in face-to-face and mediated contexts...

Media Uses, Processes & Effects

Explore the factors that influence individual media choices and the effects of media use...

Political Communication

Examine the production, dissemination, processing, and effects of information on political processes...