Admission to the Doctoral Educational Program in Mass Communication Is Announced

Admission to Doctoral Educational Program in Mass Communication Is Announced

According to the Priority Research Areas

1. Georgian print media - 1936-1938;
2. State social advertising and its institutional field;
3. Coverage of cultural heritage issues of the occupied territories of Georgia in the conditions of information war;
4. Evolution of disinformation in the era of artificial intelligence: challenges and strategies of mass communication;
5. Aesthetic-technological aspects of screen display devices in traditional and digital media;
6. The Use of Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Standards in the Media: Global Trends and Challenges for the Georgian Public Broadcaster;
7. Propaganda of National Ideas in the Georgian Press (1918–1924);
8. Foreign Policy Vectors of the Democratic Republic of Georgia and Their Representation in the Georgian Press (1918–1924);
9. Postmodernist Discourse in Contemporary Georgian Journalism;
10. Narratives of Conflict in Print Media;
11. Multimedia Formats on Georgian Online Platforms: Longreads and Storytelling; 
12. The Emergence and Development of Blogging in Georgia;
13. Media and Ethical Challenges in the Digital Era;
14. The Role of Digital Media in Shaping Public Awareness and Influencing Socio-Political Processes;
15. Interviews, Communication with Respondents, Conversational Techniques, and Ethical Standards in Modern Television Broadcasting.

Prerequisite for Admission:

• English language proficiency at a B2 level;
• Previous work/publications and/or participation in scientific-research projects and events and/or   at least 2 years of work experience in a relevant field;
• Presentation of a research project- a successful interview with the committee. 

• Number of vacant places – 10;
• Program tuition fees – 3500 GEL

Applicants willing to enroll in the 2025–2026 academic year may submit their documents from September 1 to September 10 (inclusive). Documents can also be submitted on weekends. 

(Doctoral Office, Room N79a, between 12:00 and 17:00).

Enrollment Stages:

• The English Language Entrance Exam for the Doctoral Program will be held on September 11;
• Specialty Interview with the committee will take place on September 12.

Evaluation Criteria for Doctoral Program Applicants:

• Knowledge of the field of mass communication;
• Motivation to pursue doctoral studies;
• Scientific/practical experience;
• Relevance and significance of the proposed research topic;
• Scientific and practical value of the proposed research topic;
• Methods through which a doctoral student will conduct research and analysis;
• Well-grounded assumptions and expectations related to the research;
• Innovative thinking;
• Presentation skills;
• Scientific publications;
• Participation in scientific conferences.

To apply for the Doctoral Program, candidates must submit a statement addressed to the Rector of the University, and enclose the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) of an applicant (including detailed information on education and professional experience);
• Notarized copies of a Master’s Degree or an equivalent academic qualification, along with the diploma supplement (The University reserves the right to request a diploma recognition document in accordance with applicable legislation. Failure to present the recognition document within a reasonable time frame may result in denial of admission or cancellation of enrollment);
• Copy of an ID or passport;
• One printed 3x4 cm photo; If admitted, the applicant must also submit a digital version of a 3x4 cm photo (on CD) when signing the study agreement;
• Proof of military draft registration (required for male applicants only)
• English language proficiency certificate at B2 level (TOEFL, IELTS, FCE, or CAE). Applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in English are excluded from providing a language certificate. In the absence of a certificate, the applicant must take an English language exam at the Caucasus International University Language Centre.
• Written declaration confirming that the applicant is not enrolled in any other doctoral program at another higher educational institution (Declaration must be written at the Doctoral Office);
• A cover Letter about the proposed research topic;
• Two Letters of Recommendation from relevant academic circles (If the applicant has professional experience in a field related to the program, one letter must be from an academic circle of the relevant field and the other from the applicant’s employer or organization).

Research Project Proposal that includes the following components:

• The applicant’s vision regarding the significance and originality of the research topic;
• The scientific and practical value of the proposed research topic;
• The research methods the applicant intends to use for the study and analysis;
• Well-reasoned assumptions and anticipated outcomes of the research.

(After enrollment, a doctoral student is permitted to modify the research project, either partially or entirely, in accordance with their academic interests).

If an applicant includes information about scientific publications or participation in scientific conferences, s/he must provide copies of the relevant materials among the submitted documents;

Applicants whose native tongue is not Georgian and who wish to pursue the Doctoral Educational Program in Mass Communication in Georgian must submit a Georgian language proficiency certificate at the B2 level;

Prerequisites for Admission to the Interview:

• Candidates who submit all the required registration documents within the deadline, meet the eligibility criteria for admission to the doctoral program, and successfully pass the English language examination (or submit an internationally recognized English proficiency certificate) will be invited to the interview;
• The interview will be conducted by an admissions committee established based on the recommendation of the Head of the Doctoral Service and by order of the University Rector.
• The applicant’s application form, cover letter, letters of recommendation, and a draft of the proposed research topic must be submitted to the committee by the doctoral coordinator or the head of the doctoral program;
• The relevance and significance of the proposed research topic must be justified in the cover letter;

A candidate will be considered officially enrolled in the doctoral program if s/he receives majority support from the committee members present during the open vote.

During the admission process, the following will be taken into consideration:

• Scientific publications;
• Participation in scientific conferences;
• Other relevant documents related to academic or research activities (certificates, patents, etc.). 

Applicants will be admitted to the Doctoral Program following a successful interview with the committee. Enrollment results will be announced no later than September 25.

The Autumn Semester of the 2025–2026 academic year for doctoral students will commence on October 6, 2025.