The curriculum of the PhD in Mass Communication and Public Affairs from Louisiana State University consists of 88 hours of credit, including 40 hours of required courses and a professional or research externship, and 18 hours of dissertation research within the Manship School. In addition, students complete 12 hours of elective courses in mass communication, six hours of additional advanced statistics or methodology courses, and 12 hours in an outside area of concentration. With approval, a student may receive credit for some coursework completed as part of the student?s master?s program. Finally, students must pass a comprehensive examination (with written and oral components) and successfully defend a dissertation.