Master’s in Communication Studies
Among the top programs in the nation for research productivity, our program helps students develop fundamental understandings of communication theory and research. Emphases include interpersonal and family communication, organizational communication, persuasion and health communication and instructional communication. Graduates of our program go on to continue their education in well-established Ph.D. programs while others take advantage of a wide variety of professional opportunities in communication and business industries.
Financial Awards
We do not want the cost of a graduate education to prohibit you from pursuing your goals. We are able to support the goals of many of our students through merit-based tuition waivers that cover all or part of a student’s tuition and Graduate Teaching Assistantships that provide a monthly stipend to help with other expenses. These assistantships also provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty in ways that advance their understanding of the discipline.
Meet some of our Communication Studies graduate students
Sarah Annis
Sarah Annis
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and in Spanish from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
Knowing my academic interests and learning style, my professor and advisor at Bethel University, Dr. Nancy Brule, recommended TCU and, more specifically, Dr. Paul Schrodt to me. I was drawn to the collaborative culture of the M.S. in Communication Studies program and chose TCU for the small cohort size, opportunities for faculty mentorship, and high level of academic rigor characteristic of this program.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I was fascinated by my studies in Interpersonal and Family Communication during undergraduate studies and desire to continue deepening my understanding, conducting research in the field, and gaining skills that will benefit me in personal relationships and in my career.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am most interested in family-related Communication research and look very forward to studying and researching Health Communication, potentially investigating relationships between family and health from the Communication perspective.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
I am working as a graduate teaching assistant in the College of Communication. Outside of class, I am an avid runner and an aspiring home chef, and I enjoy reading for non-academic purposes.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I am open to many opportunities that may await me after graduation and am excited to utilize my time in this program for self-discovery, establishing more clearly what career path I will pursue. At this time, I can envision a career in the classroom, in research, in a health-related field, or another field I may become passionate about as I work toward my degree.
Crosby Cobb
Crosby Cobb
Undergraduate Education: Corporate Communication at Baylor University
Hometown: Midland, Texas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU because of its commitment to both scholarly excellence and personal engagement within the classroom.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose Communication Studies because I am passionate about human connection and the various ways relationships impact individuals and cultures.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I’m interested in learning more about family and interpersonal communication!
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
I enjoy reading, going on walks, and spending time with friends outside of class!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue my education by earning a Ph.D. and eventually teach Communication Studies courses at the university level!
Liz Dobson
Liz Dobson
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at Cazenovia University in New York
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
Texas Christian University had been on my list of potential graduate schools since I was a sophomore in college as it was one of the best programs in the nation with faculty publishing incredible research. I ultimately made the decision to attend TCU because the program faculty truly care about their students and highly value mentorship.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I fell in love with Communication Studies while taking a communication theory course, and my love has only deepened with every communication class taken since then. I believe that the more we understand about how people communicate with themselves, each other, and larger communities will help us to analyze and determine potential solutions for issues facing our society.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
My research interests lie in the intersection of interpersonal communication and media studies. I enjoy analyzing the ways people construct and maintain relationships in computer-mediated environments and understanding how communication theories apply to new media technologies. I am also interested in how new media and online relationship development are influencing our values as individuals and a society.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
In addition to my studies, I serve as a graduate teaching assistant in the undergraduate communication program. I am incredibly excited for this opportunity as my real passion lies in educating. When I’m not studying how people communicate, I enjoy hiking, road tripping, golfing, and trying new food. The #1 item on my bucket list is visiting all the national parks in the U.S. I’m excited to cross Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks off my list.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in Communication Studies and serve as a college professor. I enjoy working with students to create an energetic, intellectual community where they can thrive and challenge themselves to make a difference in their spheres of influence.
Logan Gibbs
Logan Gibbs
Undergraduate Education: Film, Television, and Digital Media at Texas Christian University
Hometown: Brandon, Mississippi
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
When I was applying for undergrad, I toured nearly every large university in the state of Texas because my family was living in Houston at the time, and I wanted to stay close to them. I toured TCU during one of the university’s annual “Monday at TCU” events and absolutely fell in love with the campus and the city of Fort Worth, and when given the opportunity to stay at TCU for two more years, I couldn’t say no.
Why did you choose communication studies?
During my undergraduate education, I studied Film, Television, and Digital Media but also doubled majored in Journalism and pursued a minor in Communication Studies because I was fascinated with how people and groups of people are affected by all of these different kinds of messages.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
My research interests center around the effects that different kinds of mass media messages have on individuals, small groups, and organizations.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Officially, I am teaching two sections of the introduction to communication course offered at TCU, COMM 10123 or Communicating Effectively. Unofficially, I am working with the TCU Forensics team run by Dr. Amorette Hinderaker to coach undergraduate students in different speaking events as well as different forms of debate.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
As of now, I am hoping to continue my education to pursue my Ph.D. in either Communication Studies or some related communication field. Hopefully, I will be able to go off and teach at a higher education institution.
Jessie Majors
Jessie Majors
Undergraduate Education: Communication Studies and Political Science at Samford University in Alabama
Hometown: Danville, Kentucky
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
When I was researching graduate programs, TCU stood out to me because of its academic rigor and exceptional learning environment. I could not imagine a place that better combines outstanding academic excellence with a supportive community, small class size, and invested faculty. When it came to making my decision, I chose TCU because I felt it was a place where I would grow and thrive.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose Communication Studies because I was fascinated by the way we construct social reality and identity through communication. My undergraduate studies in communication allowed me to explore this further as I studied patterns of human interaction and connection. It was through these learning experiences and the encouragement of my professors that I was motivated to pursue graduate study.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
Though my research interests are evolving, I am currently fascinated by family communication, sensory processing sensitivity, and Christian nationalism.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
At TCU, I serve as a teaching assistant in the undergraduate communication department. Outside of TCU, my free time is typically filled with listening to podcasts, reading, baking, traveling, or spending time with friends.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to pursue a doctoral degree and ultimately a career in research and education.
Leela Mogadam
Leela Mogadam
Undergraduate Education: Communication and French at University of California Santa Barbara
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose to attend TCU for the opportunity to work with incredible faculty members who care deeply for their students and value mentorship.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose Communication Studies because of my deep interest in studying human behavior interaction.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am interested in Interpersonal Communication and Family Communication.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Outside of class, I enjoy exploring Fort Worth, going on long walks, cooking and playing with my dog.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue my education in Communication Studies at the PhD level.
Crane Petty
Crane Petty
Undergraduate Education: Human Communication at Trinity University in San Antonio
Hometown: El Paso and Sweetwater, Texas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU based on a recommendation from my advisor at Trinity. She highly recommended TCU for its tight-knit community and focus on high-quality research. After visiting the beautiful campus, I knew that I belonged here.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I am studying Communication Studies because I believe that communication is a versatile and incredibly important skill. Communication is everywhere; it is vital to human interaction and relationships. I believe that relationships are the most important element of being a human, and communication is at the core of all relationships.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am doing my thesis on the social identity work that transgender job seekers do in the hiring and assimilation process at a workplace. I am curious to learn about marginalized and stigmatized experiences.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
I enjoy crafting – I love to sew, cross stitch, and crochet! I also enjoy gardening and tending to plants. I enjoy cooking creatively and baking!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to pursue a career in higher education administration!
Bre Prater
Bre Prater
Undergraduate Education: Communication Arts and Organizational and Strategic Communication at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri
Hometown: Abilene, Kansas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU for my graduate degree because of the small class size, outstanding faculty, and the excellent educational opportunities.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I double majored in both communication studies and strategic communication in my undergraduate program. I chose to do my master’s in communication studies because I enjoyed my theory and research courses more than business communication.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am interested in interpersonal communication studies, especially in the spheres of educational and religious organizations. Both have strong group dynamics and unique, established communication styles. I would love to conduct research on how effective this communication is and whether it hinders or accomplishes the establishment’s goal.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
In my free time I enjoy reading classic novels, doing a variety of art projects, writing poetry, and volunteering. Additionally, I am a certified substitute teacher and am excited to work with the TCU Forensics team during graduate school.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to become a teacher and debate coach at either the high school or collegiate level.
A Letter from the Director
Dear Prospective Graduate Student,
On behalf of the faculty and students of Texas Christian University, welcome to the Department of Communication Studies! Pursuing a graduate degree is a big decision, and we look forward to answering any questions or inquiries you might have. Choosing the right graduate program typically involves thinking about the program’s emphases, faculty mentors, research and teaching opportunities, departmental climate, location, and cost. With these considerations in mind, let me introduce our department to you in this letter…
Read in FullDear Prospective Graduate Student,
On behalf of the faculty and students of Texas Christian University, welcome to the Department of Communication Studies! Pursuing a graduate degree is a big decision, and we look forward to answering any questions or inquiries you might have. Choosing the right graduate program typically involves thinking about the program’s emphases, faculty mentors, research and teaching opportunities, departmental climate, location, and cost. With these considerations in mind, let me introduce our department to you in this letter.
TCU’s mission is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in a global community. In our graduate program, we hope to further the university’s mission statement by offering a close working and mentoring community. We focus intensely on a small number of in-residence graduate students, and our students develop fundamental understandings of communication theory and research. We offer a Master of Science degree in Communication Studies, with emphases in interpersonal and family communication, organizational communication, social influence, and health communication. For a list of graduate courses, see http://tcu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/Graduate-Catalog/Courses/COMM-Communication-Studies. We are committed to the integration of these areas of study, and our students develop both the content knowledge and the research tools necessary for conducting independent research projects (e.g., a publishable academic study, a well-designed corporate attitude survey, or a communication audit).
All full-time faculty in Communication Studies are active in research, teaching, and service activities. For example, as of August 2022, ComAnalytics (www.cios.org) cited TCU’s Communication Studies faculty as having the 2nd highest mean number of publications per faculty among all master’s level programs. Our program received the 2016 Outstanding Master’s Degree Program Award from the National Communication Association. In recent years, faculty members have received numerous research and teaching awards, some of which include the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Masters Education Division of NCA, the Bernard J. Brommel Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Family Communication, two TCU Dean’s Awards for Research, two Central States Communication Association’s Outstanding New Teacher Awards, and more than 40 Top Paper Awards from NCA and other regional associations. Most important, the faculty have established a tradition of teaching excellence and a departmental climate conducive to mentoring graduate students.
Our graduates are qualified to pursue further study toward advanced academic and professional degrees, or to take advantage of a wide variety of professional opportunities in business and communication industries, including human resources, training and development, digital analytics, public relations, corporate consulting, and managerial positions. Some of our graduates also continue their education in well-established Ph.D. programs. Within the last five years, for example, we have placed students in doctoral programs at Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University, Arizona State University, West Virginia University, and the Universities of Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, South Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Most of our graduate students pay no tuition. We offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships that will pay tuition costs and, depending upon the award, a monthly stipend to help students with other expenses. Our GTAs are provided with office space, travel support for conferences, and the opportunity to work in our basic communication course.
Fort Worth, Texas is a wonderfully vibrant place to live. It is the 12th-largest city in the United States, one of “America’s Most Livable Communities,” and rated as one of the Top 10 Cities for Young Professionals (rated 6th by Forbes). From the Historic Stockyards, to remarkable museums, to the famous Sundance Square which includes an array of shops and restaurants and is located less than 15 minutes from campus, Fort Worth is large enough to provide the amenities of a thriving metropolitan area, yet not so large that it loses its Texas charm and neighborly feel. Other entertainment and employment opportunities abound in the remaining cities located within the Fort Worth/Dallas metroplex, including a variety of theatres, museums, professional sports, shopping, and media outlets. For more information, check out: http://www.fortworth.com/
For more information, see http://schieffercollege.tcu.edu/resources/graduate
To complete the application process, apply to TCU Graduate Studies at: https://www.applyweb.com/tcug/index.ftl
The deadline for fall admission is February 15th though assistantships are awarded as they are approved, so early applications are encouraged. Applications for admission should include an application form, a non-refundable application fee of $60.00, official transcripts, official GRE test scores, an academic/professional objectives statement, and three letters of recommendation. We look forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to contact me or other TCU faculty members for more information.
Sincerely,
Paul Schrodt, Ph.D.
Professor and Graduate Director
Department of Communication Studies
817-257-5674
p.schrodt@tcu.edu
Nationally Recognized Faculty
Committed to Teaching and Mentoring
Kristen Carr
Communicative development of resilience to adversity
Relational outcomes of interpersonal communication while negotiating non-normative experiences
Kristen Carr
Associate Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Personal Relationships
- Journal of Family Communication
- Health Communication
- Communication Education
Honors & Awards
- Top Paper awards from the National Communication Association
- Top Paper awards from the Central States Communication Association
- Bruce Kendall Teaching Award
- Top Paper award from the International Communication Association
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- Central States Communication Association
- International Communication Association
Johny Garner
Organizational communication: supervisor-subordinate communication, group processes in organizations, organizational dynamics in churches and other nonprofit organizations
Johny Garner
Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Sunday Democracies: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Members’ Perceptions of Church Authority and Organizational Dissent. Journal of Applied Communication Research.
- Open Doors and Iron Cages: Management Responses to Employee Dissent. International Journal of Business Communication.
- Different Ways to Disagree: A Study of Organizational Dissent to Explore Connections between Mixed Methods Research and Engaged Scholarship. Journal of Mixed Methods Research.
- Nothing to Laugh About: Student Interns’ Use of Humor in Response to Workplace Dissatisfaction. Southern Communication Journal.
- Changes in Eye Contact and Attraction Scores Relative to Ostracism and Dissent. Small Group Research.
- Dissenters, managers, and coworkers: The process of co-constructing organizational dissent and dissent effectiveness. Management Communication Quarterly.
- Making waves at work: Perceived effectiveness and appropriateness of organizational dissent messages. Management Communication Quarterly.
- When things go wrong at work: An exploration of organizational dissent messages. Communication Studies.
Previous Experience
Assistant professor at Pepperdine University.
Honors & Awards
- B. Aubrey Fisher Award, top article in Western Journal of Communication
- Top Paper, Group Communication Division, NCA
- Top Paper, Nonverbal Communication Division, NCA
- Top Paper, Group Communication Division, NCA
- Top Paper, Group Communication Division, NCA
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- International Communication Association
Amorette Hinderaker
Argumentation and debate
Organizational communication
Religious communication
Intersection between religious and political rhetoric
Amorette Hinderaker
Convener of Debates and Associate Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Severing primary ties: Exit from totalistic organizations. Western Journal of Communication.
- The long road out: Exit stories from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Communication Studies.
- Speaking up on my way out the door: A close examination of church exit and members’ dissent. Journal of Communication and Religion.
Previous Experience
Director of Forensics at North Dakota State University
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- Pi Kappa Delta
- National Forensic Association
- National Parliamentary Debate Association
- American Forensic Association
Paul King
Communication ethics
Information overload/management
Social cognition
Listening
Communication research
Debate and persuasion
Paul King
Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Communication Monographs
- Communication Quarterly
- Communication Education
- Human Communication Research
- The International Journal of Listening
- Southern Communication Journal
- Health Communication
- Educational Technology
Previous Experience
- KFST/KPJH Radio, Fort Stockton, TX
- KNIT AM/FM, Abilene, TX
- KRBC Radio/TV, Abilene, TX
Honors & Awards
- College of Communication Award for Distinguished Teaching
- Recognition as Charter Sponsor, TCU Lambda Pi Eta
- Top Professor Award, Lambda Pi Eta
- Keynote Address, Bicker Communication & Ethics Conference
- Top paper Honors from the National Communication Association and the Southern States Communication Association
- Member, Pi Kappa Delta, national forensics honor society
- Member, Pi Gamma Mu, national social sciences honor society
- Member, Alpha Chi, national collegiate honor society
- Mortar Board Preferred Professor
- Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- International Communication Association
- National Communication Association
- Southern States Communication Association
- Pi Kappa Delta
- European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA)
Andrew Ledbetter
Maintaining interpersonal relationships using technology; how attitudes toward technology shape its use; family communication patterns
Andrew Ledbetter
Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Ledbetter, A. M. (in press). Parent-child privacy boundary conflict strategies across the first year of college: Mediating family communication patterns, predicting psychosocial distress. Human Communication Research.
- Taylor, S. H., Ledbetter, A. M., & Mazer, J. P. (in press). Initial specification and empirical test of media enjoyment theory. Communication Research.
- Buckner, M. M., Ledbetter, A. M., & Payne, H. J. (2018). Family communication patterns as predictors of organizational dissent: A replication study. Communication Studies, 69, 325-335.
- Ledbetter, A. M., & Finn, A. N. (2018). Perceived teacher credibility and students’ affect as a function of instructors’ use of PowerPoint and email. Communication Education, 67, 31-51.
- Shimkowski, J. R., & Ledbetter, A. M. (2018). Parental divorce disclosures and young adults’ emotion regulation strategies. Journal of Family Communication, 18, 185-201.
- Phillips, K. E., Ledbetter, A. M., Soliz, J., & Bergquist, G. (2018). Investigating the interplay between identity gaps and communication patterns in predicting relational intentions in families in the United States. Journal of Communication, 68, 590-611.
- Taylor, S. H., & Ledbetter, A. M. (2017). Extending media multiplexity theory to the extended family: Communication satisfaction and tie strength as moderators of violations of media use expectations. New Media & Society, 19, 1369-1387.
- Hendry, M. P., & Ledbetter, A. M. (2017). Narrating the past, enhancing the present: The associations among genealogical communication, family communication patterns, and family satisfaction. Journal of Family Communication, 17, 117-136.
- Kaufmann, R. M., Buckner, M. M., & Ledbetter, A. M. (2017). Having fun on Facebook?: Mothers’ enjoyment as a moderator of well-being and Facebook use. Health Communication, 8, 1014-1023.
- Ledbetter, A. M. (2017). Relational maintenance behavior and shared TV viewing as mediators of the association between romanticism and romantic relationship quality. Communication Studies, 68, 95-114.
Previous Experience
Assistant Professor, Ohio University School of Communication Studies, 2007-2010
Honors & Awards
- Multiple top paper awards
- A First Look at Communication Theory (10th ed.)
- Directed Sam Taylor’s master’s thesis, which received the Outstanding Thesis Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association.
- Outstanding Mentor Award from the Master’s Education Division of the National Communication Association.
- Article of the Year Award from the Journal of Family Communication
- Early Career Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of the National Communication Association.
- NCA “Teachers on Teaching” recognition.
- Outstanding New Teacher Award from the Central States Communication Association.
- Research featured in The Atlantic.
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- Central States Communication Association
Chris R. Sawyer
Communication Apprehension
Instructional communication
Physiology of Communication
Chris R. Sawyer
Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Communication apprehension and public speaking instruction. In P. Witt (Ed.), Handbooks of Communication Science: Vol. 22, Communication and Learning.
- Motivational factors and communication competence. In A. F. Hannawa & B. H. Spitzberg (Eds.), Handbook of Communication Competence.
- Profiles of response stereotypy and specificity for public speaking state anxiety. In J. M. Honecutt, C. R. Sawyer, & S. A. Keaton (Eds.), The Influence of Communication on Physiology and Health
- The Influence of Communication on Physiology and Health.
- Listening fidelity among native and nonnative English-speaking undergraduates as a function of listening apprehension and gender. Communication Research Reports.
- Components of students’ grade expectations for public speaking assignments. Communication Education.
- Psychophysiological patterns of arousal in communication. In M. J. Beatty & J. C. McCroskey (eds.), Biological Dimensions of Communication: Perspectives, Methods, and Research.
Previous Experience
Chair of NCA’s Communication Apprehension and Avoidance Commission
Honors & Awards
- Nomination for Minnie Stephens Piper Foundation award
- Twice recipient of College of Communication Distinguished Research and Creative Activity Award
- Recipient, Deans Research and Creative Activity Award
- Top Paper Awards from Communication Apprehension and Competence Division of the National Communication Association for 2016, 2015, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004.
- Top Paper Award from Basic Course Division of the National Communication Association for 2014 & 2012.
- Top Conference Paper from the International Listening Association.
- Named Top Ten Scholar in Communication Studies, 1915-2006
- Article of the Year Award from the Communication Apprehension and Competence Division of the National Communication Association.
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- Southern States Communication Association
- Eastern Communication Association
Paul Schrodt
Family communication and interpersonal communication
Communicative cognitions and behaviors that facilitate family relationships
Message strategies and behaviors that facilitate stepfamily functioning
Paul Schrodt
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Communication Studies
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Communication Monographs
- Human Communication Research
- Personal Relationships
- Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
- Journal of Family Communication
- Communication Quarterly
- Communication Studies
- Western Journal of Communication
Previous Experience
- Prior to TCU, taught at the University of Nebraska, the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Kansas.
- Former Chair of the Interpersonal and Family Communication Divisions of the National Communication Association.
- Currently Editor-in-Chief of Communication Monographs.
Honors & Awards
- 45 Top Paper awards from national and regional associations
- Bernard J. Brommel Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Family Communication
- Early Career Award in Interpersonal Communication from NCA
- Sandra Petronio Dissertation Award from the Family Communication Division
- Outstanding New Teacher Award from CSCA
- Franklin H. Knower Article Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division
- 2013 Dean’s Research and Creative Activity Award from TCU
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association (NCA), serves on the Publications Board
- Central States Communication Association (CSCA)
- International Association for Relationship Research (IARR)
Qinghua Yang
Health communication, intercultural communication, new media, quantitative research methods
Qinghua Yang
Assistant Professor
Academic Publications and Presentations
- Journal of Health Communication “Are social networking sites making health behavior change interventions more effective? A meta-analytic review.”
- CDC Health Communication Science Digest. “Social support, trust, and health information seeking behaviors (HISBs): A study using the 2012 Annenberg national health communication survey (ANHCS).”
- Health Information Management Journal “A meta-analytic review of health information credibility: Belief in physicians or belief in peers?”
- Communication Education “Are you satisfied? Explore the mediating effects of mentoring communication strategies in predicting international graduate students’ program satisfaction.”
- Health Education “What health-related information flows through you every day? A content analysis of Microblog messages on air pollution.”
- Computers in Human Behavior “What’s on the other side of the great firewall? Motivations for Chinese Web users’ bypassing the Internet censorship.”
- Journal of Communication Media Studies “A picture is worth a thousand words: Chinese college students’ self- presentation on SNSs.”
- Computers in Human Behavior “Mozart or Metallica, who makes you more attractive? A mediated moderation test of music, gender, personality, and attractiveness in cyberspace.”
Previous Experience
- Postdoctoral research fellow of Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
- Graduate instructor and research assistant of School of Communication, University of Miami
Honors & Awards
- Top Paper Award, National Communication Association (NCA), Health Communication Division
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science (TCORS), Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
- Outstanding Research Assistant, University of Miami Graduate School
- Graduate Student Travel Grant, ICA, San Juan, PR
- Graduate Student Travel Grant, ICA, Seattle, WA
- Academic Excellence, Leadership & Service Award, University of Miami Graduate School
- Second Century Scholarship, Columbia University
- First Place Scholarship for Graduate Students, Capital Normal University
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Capital Normal University
- Outstanding Olympic Family Assistant, Beijing Olympic Committee
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association (NCA)
- International Communication Association (ICA)
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
- Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
Jie (Jackie) Zhuang
Health communication Health stigma Social influence and persuasion Emotional appeals
Jie (Jackie) Zhuang
Assistant Professor
Previous Experience
- Communication Studies Instructor at Michigan State University
- Project manager of Community Engagement Core, Michigan State University Superfund Program Research Center