PhD in Digital Media and Political Communication

Introduction

About the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Digital Media and Political Communication is a research-intensive doctoral program offered by the College of Media and Mass Communication at the American University in the Emirates (AUE). The program prepares scholars, researchers, academic leaders, policy analysts, and communication professionals to advance knowledge in digital media, political communication, public discourse, media governance, communication policy, and emerging technologies.

The program integrates advanced theoretical study, rigorous research methodology, specialized doctoral coursework, comprehensive examination, and original dissertation research. Students engage with contemporary issues such as digital political communication, platform governance, artificial intelligence, disinformation, civic engagement, media ethics, communication policy, and technology-mediated public discourse.

Program Facts

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Major: Digital Media and Political Communication
College: College of Media and Mass Communication
Total Credit Hours: 66
Delivery Mode: Face-to-Face
Location: American University in the Emirates, Dubai
Minimum Graduation GPA: 3.0/4.0
Recommended Duration: Four Years

Program at a glance

Total Credit Hours

66 Credit Hours

Duration

4 Years

Instruction Language

English

Tuition Fees

82,500 AED/Yearly

Quality assured

Accreditations

Accredited by CAA

Program Director

Credit breakdown

Program Structure

Course Category	Total Number of Courses	Total Number of Credit Hours
Core Courses	8	27
Elective Courses	3	9
Comprehensive Exam	–	0
Dissertation	–	30
Total	–	66 Credit Hours

Curriculum

Courses & Descriptions

General Education Courses

Bridging Courses

Core Business Courses

Core IT Courses

Core Courses

ARM 700 Advanced Research Methodology 6 CH

DDM 706 Crisis Communication, Governance, and Reputation Management 3 CH

DDM 703 Digital Media and Emerging Technologies 3 CH

DDM 705 Media Law, Ethics, and Policy in the Arab World 3 CH

DDM 707 Media Leadership, Innovation, and Digital Transformation 3 CH

DDM 708 Strategic Communication and Public Relations 3 CH

DDM 704 Strategic Political Communication and Public Relations 3 CH

DDM 702 Theories of Digital Media and Political Communication 3 CH

College Mathematics and Science Courses

Concentration Courses

Cybersecurity Engineering Core Courses

Mechatronics Engineering Core Courses

Engineering Core Courses

Thesis

Electives

DDM 711 Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in Media and Political Communication 3 CH

DDM 715 Cross-Cultural Communication and Diplomacy in the Arab Region 3 CH

DDM 713 Integrated Marketing Communications and Branding in Politics 3 CH

DDM 714 Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Business Models 3 CH

DDM 712 Political Campaigning, Digital Advocacy, and Social Movements 3 CH

DDM 716 Social Media Influence, Fake News, and Public Opinion 3 CH

DDM 717 Virtual and Augmented Reality in Media and Political Communication 3 CH

Comprehensive Exam

DDM 725 Comprehensive Doctoral Examination 0 CH

Dissertation

DDM 800 Doctoral Dissertation in Digital Media and Political Communication 30 CH

Research Seminar

Basic Health Science Courses

College Core Courses

Clinical Placement Courses

Semester by semester

Study Plan

Year 1 12 credit hours

Fall 6 CH

Code	Course	CH
ARM 700	Advanced Research Methodology Core Courses	6

Spring 6 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 702	Theories of Digital Media and Political Communication Core Courses	3
—	Elective Course Elective	3

Year 2 18 credit hours

Fall 9 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 708	Strategic Communication and Public Relations Core Courses	3
DDM 703	Digital Media and Emerging Technologies Core Courses	3
—	Elective Course Elective	3

Spring 9 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 704	Strategic Political Communication and Public Relations Core Courses	3
DDM 705	Media Law, Ethics, and Policy in the Arab World Core Courses	3
—	Elective Course Elective	3

Year 3 18 credit hours

Fall 6 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 706	Crisis Communication, Governance, and Reputation Management Core Courses	3
DDM 707	Media Leadership, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Core Courses	3

Comprehensive Exam 0 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 725	Comprehensive Doctoral Examination Comprehensive Exam	0

Spring & Summer 12 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 800	Doctoral Dissertation Dissertation	12

Year 4 18 credit hours

Fall, Spring & Summer 18 CH

Code	Course	CH
DDM 800	Doctoral Dissertation Dissertation	18

Total: 66 credit hours

What we aim for

Program Goals

To develop advanced theoretical knowledge in digital media and political communication and enhance doctoral-level critical and analytical inquiry.
To prepare specialized researchers in digital media, political communication, strategic communication, and media policy who are capable of producing innovative, theory-driven solutions to complex communication challenges.
To support original research in digital media and political communication that serves the national agenda of the United Arab Emirates and contributes to effective governance, ethical communication practices, and a sustainable digital media ecosystem.
To strengthen academic and research collaboration with national and international institutions specializing in media, communication, political studies, and related interdisciplinary fields.
To provide advanced doctoral education that meets the needs of academia, public communication institutions, policy organizations, and media sectors, and that contributes to the development of evidence-based public communication and media policy.

What you will learn

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the PhD in Digital Media and Political Communication, graduates will be able to:

Analyze and critically interpret digital media systems, political communication processes, and mediated public discourse in accordance with regional and international scholarly standards.
Develop evidence-based communication and media policies that address contemporary challenges such as digital governance, disinformation, political persuasion, and ethical media practice.
Conduct advanced, original scientific research in digital media and political communication and publish findings in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
Provide expert analysis and research-informed consultation grounded in critical scholarship and advanced methodological inquiry in media and political communication contexts.
Apply professional and research ethics in the design, conduct, and dissemination of scholarly work in digital media and political communication.
Utilize emerging technologies and advanced analytical tools, including digital platforms, data analytics, and AI-assisted methods, in media and political communication research and analysis.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded the PhD in Digital Media and Political Communication, students must:

Complete 66 credit hours.
Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Pass the Comprehensive Doctoral Examination.
Publish at least two research papers in peer-reviewed, Scopus-indexed journals prior to the dissertation defense.
Successfully defend an original doctoral dissertation.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the PhD in Digital Media and Political Communication must satisfy the following requirements:

Academic Qualifications

Master’s degree in Media, Communication, Political Communication, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Journalism/Media Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, or a closely related field from a MOHESR-recognized institution.
Minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or higher; or
TOEFL iBT score of 91 or higher.

Additional Requirements

Research proposal (1,500–2,000 words) demonstrating the applicant’s intended research focus and capacity for doctoral-level inquiry.
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
Successful performance in an admission interview conducted by the doctoral admissions committee.

When can I join?