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
Breanna Burns
Breanna Burns
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Brigham Young University
Hometown: Allen, Texas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I’ve always loved TCU! I love the school spirit, the quality of education and being surround by like-minded ambitious peers. (The colors are fun, too!)
Why did you choose communication studies?
TCU’s communication studies program has been my top choice since I began researching graduate programs. The faculty’s impressive list of awards, accolades and achievements speaks to their wealth of knowledge and excellence in the field, but more importantly, their commitment to how they teach and mentor their students is unmatched. The professors involve their students with such intentionality throughout their academic work that it has become something I aspire to re-create with my own future students.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I’m currently interested in interpersonal relationships, identity and organizational communication research.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
I love to be active outside of class! Biking, dancing, running, working out, etc. The list goes on and on. I’m currently training for an Ironman that I hope to complete in 2026. I adore creating memories any chance I get with my dear friends, whether that’s a girls’ night out, exploring the big city or simply trying a new activity.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I’m hoping graduate school can solidify what my next step will be. I’m in-between either a Ph.D. in communication studies or law school after graduation. Either way, defiantly more school after graduating from TCU! Go frogs!
Alessandra Carmo
Alessandra Carmo
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Social Communication and Public Relations from Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
Hometown: Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais – Brazil
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU because of its supportive academic environment and distinguished faculty.
Why did you choose communication studies?
In my undergraduate studies in Brazil, I developed my research interest in health communication. But after graduation, I started working and have worked for more than three years. Now, I am returning to the academic environment again and I have found excellent research being conducted in this area by TCU faculty, especially in this field. The opportunity to conduct research in this program is also a motivation for me.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
My primary research interest is in health communication, especially misinformation.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
I will assist Dr. Jie Zhuang with projects and research. I will also work as an assistant at The Art Galleries at TCU. Outside of class, I like to attend different events at TCU and meet new people.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to enter a PhD Program or work with communication in a health-related setting.
Mandy Fischer
Mandy Fischer
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Biola University in California
Hometown: Los Altos, California
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU because of the amazing mentorship and the strong reputation for research that the communication department has. The faculty here cultivate an atmosphere of warmth and support, which highlights how deeply they care for their students. TCU also presents their graduate students with several professional development opportunities, including teaching the undergraduate public speaking class and working with professors on research projects.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I loved studying communication in undergrad and I wanted to pursue it further! I chose to get my master’s in communication studies because I am passionate about research and wanted to continue growing in my understanding of how communication impacts every area of life.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
One of my primary research interests is work-life balance and the way that organizational messages shape perceptions of rest, busyness, and workaholism. I also enjoy researching topics of self-efficacy, overlapping identity roles, and leadership communication.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Outside of taking classes, I am a graduate teaching assistant for two sections of the public speaking course, COMM 10123: Communicating Effectively. I am also involved in several extracurriculars, including church groups, run clubs, volleyball, and line dancing. (See, work-life balance is possible in grad school!)
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to stay in Fort Worth and work in event planning. There are several transferrable skills with communication and events, so I would love to work in a role where I can intentionally interact with people, manage details and logistics, engage in creative brainstorming, and plan events that bring people together.
Megan Kim
Megan Kim
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, minor in Communication Studies from Texas State University
Hometown: Carrollton, Texas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose TCU because of the distinguished communication studies program and faculty.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose the communication studies program because of the opportunity to teach Communicating Effectively while pursuing my master’s degree in something I’m passionate about.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I’m interested in researching social media and organizational communication.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
While pursuing my master’s degree, I’m also a GTA for the Oral Communication course. I’m passionate about teaching, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in both teaching and scholarship. My hobbies outside of classes include outdoor activities, reading and traveling.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work in marketing and communication before applying to law school.
Holly Rushing
Holly Rushing
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Speech Studies from the University of Tampa
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose to attend Texas Christian University because of its reputation for excellence, the incredible opportunities offered to graduate students in the communication studies program, and the warm, welcoming energy I felt from everyone in the department.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose this program because of its emphasis on communication theory and research. I am excited to further my knowledge in the areas of interpersonal, instructional, organizational and health communication.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am particularly interested in interpersonal and health communication. During my undergraduate years, I participated in research surrounding loneliness coping strategies, social support, and the effectiveness of low person-centered emotional support messages. As I look toward the future, I have similar interests, but I am also interested in studying issues surrounding mental health and how close friends, family members, and romantic partners can communicate emotional support to loved ones dealing with intense mental struggles.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Outside of class, I work as a graduate teaching assistant and teach two sections of COMM 10123 Communicating Effectively. My hobbies include Irish dancing, biking, reading/writing poetry, and drinking boba. I also love musical theatre!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in interpersonal communication and work as a professor and researcher. I chose this career path because of the monumental impact my own professors have had on both my personal and professional life. I see the immense value in being taught by a professor who truly cares about their students, and I would love the opportunity to return all the encouragement and support I have been given throughout my time as a college student. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoy research, and I am looking forward to further learning about topics that interest me and searching for ways to truly make a difference in the world around me.
Jessica Sharda
Jessica Sharda
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Baylor University
Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose Texas Christian University for its pursuit of excellence and emphasis on fostering community. I was excited to grow in my leadership skills and learn from distinguished scholars. Fort Worth is also one of my favorite cities and I love living here!
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose Communication Studies because I enjoyed learning about communication strategies in my undergrad and wanted to stretch myself to learn even more about interpersonal communication and conflict in communication.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I’m currently interested in researching family communication dynamics, how communication affects our conflicts and conversations in personal and professional relationships, and communicating in healthcare settings.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Outside of class, I work as the Admission Counselor for Burnett School of Medicine at TCU and am involved in a Bible Study. I love to go on walks, try new coffee shops and spend quality time with my friends!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
I hope to continue learning after graduate school both academically and professionally. My interests moving forward include advising, teaching, and mentoring at the higher education level.
Lily Zschiesche
Lily Zschiesche
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Arkansas
Hometown: Aledo, Texas
Master’s Program: Communication Studies
Why did you choose Texas Christian University?
I chose to complete my Master’s degree at TCU because the opportunity to learn from, contribute to, and network in the communication industry in the city I grew up in felt very fulfilling and full circle. TCU is very well respected and connected in Fort Worth so I knew being a part of this program would benefit me greatly as I navigate the professional world post-grad.
Why did you choose communication studies?
I chose the Communication Studies program to help me develop a deeper understanding and technical skills of things like theory, research, analytics, and application that can help me to be more competitive in a thriving industry.
What are you interested in researching and/or learning about?
I am interested in researching social media and mental health. I would love to learn about the effects of targeted advertising, specifically in the fashion and beauty industries, on women’s body image.
What are your internships, responsibilities, and/or hobbies outside of classes?
Outside of TCU, I interned in marketing at a personal styling agency, learning about marketing communications, public relations, client relationships, and more. In my free time you can find me trying new restaurants and coffee shops all over Fort Worth.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation I plan to work in social media marketing.
A Letter from the Director
Greeting to Prospective Graduate Students
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 FullAugust 2026
Greeting to Prospective Graduate Students:
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 develop ethical leaders and responsible global citizens through comprehensive academic programs, research, and service. 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 communication, organizational communication and health communication. For a list of graduate courses, visit graduate.catalog.tcu.edu. 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 2026, ComAnalytics cited TCU’s Communication Studies faculty as having the highest total number of publications and the highest total prestige score for their publications 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 Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar, the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Masters Education Division of NCA, two Bernard J. Brommel Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in Family Communication from NCA, the Donald H. Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education from NCA, two TCU Dean’s Awards for Research, and more than 50 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 10 years, for example, we have placed students in doctoral programs at Cornell University, Arizona State University, West Virginia University, and the Universities of Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, South Florida, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
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 10th-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. 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 fortworth.com.
To complete the application process, apply to TCU Graduate Studies at applyweb.com/tcug/index.ftl.
Our initial deadline for fall admission to receive priority consideration for funding support is Feb. 1, although 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, official transcripts, 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
Timothy Betts
Organizational Communication Research Methods
Timothy Betts
Assistant Professor
Director of Schieffer Media Insights Lab
Professional Affiliations
- National Communication Association
- Pi Kappa Delta
Selected Publications
- Betts, T., & Buzzanell, P. M. (2022). Enacting economic resilience: A synthesis of economic and communication frameworks. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(4), 178. [Link]
- Betts, T., Hintz, E. A., & Buzzanell, P. M. (2021). Emplotting Anticipatory Resilience: An Antenarrative Extension of the Communication Theory of Resilience. Communication Monographs, 89(2), 211-234. [Link]
- Hintz, E. A., & Betts, T. (2022). Reddit in communication research: Current status, future directions, best practices. Annals of the International Communication Association, 46(2), 116-133. [Link]
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
Britney Gilmore
Organizational communication Occupational narratives Issues of identity in the workplace and in professional life
Britney Gilmore
Assistant Professor
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
- Gilmore, B. N., & Kramer, M. W. (2019). We are who we say we are: Teachers’ shared identity in the workplace. Communication Education, 68, 1-19.
doi: 10.1080/03634523.2018.1536271 - Gilmore, B. N. (2023). ‘I’m just a big teddy bear’: An analysis of men’s professional identity narratives in caring occupations. Communication Studies.
doi: 10.1080/10510974.2023.2271206
Professional Affiliations and Associations
National Communication Association
Amorette Hinderaker
Argumentation and debate
Organizational communication
Religious communication
Intersection between religious and political rhetoric
Amorette Hinderaker
Convener of Debates and 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
Andrew Ledbetter
Maintaining interpersonal relationships using technology; how attitudes toward technology shape its use; family communication patterns
Andrew Ledbetter
Chair of Communication Studies and 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
Lindsey Meeks
Political communication; gender and race; elections; news media; social and digital media
Lindsey Meeks
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Schieffer Media Insights Lab
Selected Academic Publications and Presentations
The (vice) presidential pivot? Examining Kamala Harris’s messaging before and after the 2022 midterms. Presidential Studies Quarterly
Sheriffs, school boards, and the necessity of pro-democracy news in local elections. In Johnson, T., & Veenstra, A. (Eds.), The press and democratic backsliding: How journalism has failed the public and how it can revive democracy.
#politicalcommunicationsowhite: A call for considering race in the undergraduate political communication course. Journal of Communication Pedagogy
Promising a greener Paris: Anne Hidalgo’s framing of environmental issues in her mayoral campaigns. Environmental Communication
“Mask up. Pony up. Vote.” Examining university e-mails surrounding the 2020 U.S. elections. Communication and Democracy
When two become one? Examining Kamala Harris and Joe Biden’s campaign themes from primary to general election. Presidential Studies Quarterly
Previous Experience
Associate Professor, University of Oklahoma
Professional Affiliations and Associations
- National Communication Association
- International 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
Philip J. & Cheryl C. Burguières Professor and Director of Graduate 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.
- Former 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
Associate 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
Associate Professor
Previous Experience
- Communication Studies Instructor at Michigan State University
- Project manager of Community Engagement Core, Michigan State University Superfund Program Research Center