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Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD

Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD

The Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD in 51¶¯Âþ’s School of Theater, Film and Media Arts offers students with an MFA in Film and Media Arts the opportunity to pursue a defined research agenda for doctoral work. Part of the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts’ dual degree program, this doctoral program helps you form practical and theoretical expertise to critically examine perspectives and topics relevant to alternative and traditional forms of cinematic arts. You’ll apply the technological artistry skills developed in the MFA program to create visual research projects and posit research questions related to documentary arts.

The integrative curriculum is designed to give you the experience necessary to lead research in

  • academia,
  • cultural institutions and foundations,
  • documentary production,
  • emerging media technologies, and
  • research institutions. Ìý

Through coursework that facilitates applied and creative research approaches, students work with experienced, interdisciplinary faculty to investigate and answerÌýquestions of the technological age. You’ll develop an understanding of how media technologies have shaped paradigms of cultural and political organization, as well as cognitive, personal and physical self-understanding.

The Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhDÌýis part of the Film and Media Arts Department’s dual degree program. Students who have earned an MFA in Film and Media Arts are eligible for the Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD. As part of the three-year, full-time doctoral program, you’ll select an interdisciplinary elective in diverse fields such as as anthropology, geography, media studies, humanities and visual ethnography, for a comprehensive, in-depth research experience in the evolving world of visual media. Upon completion of the required courses and electives, students work with advisors to complete a final dissertation.

A film student setting up equipment on a film set.

Classes & Curriculum

The 37-credit program is designed to be completed in three years on a full-time basis. Coursework is tailored to give you opportunities to critically examine research questions based in analysis,Ìýfield-based researchÌýand history of nonfictional forms in emerging technologies, film and media arts.

Required courses include

  • Art-Culture-Technology Seminar,
  • Documentary Arts and Visual Research, and
  • Film History and Theory.

Available electives include

  • Approaches in the Anthropology of Visual Communication;
  • Media Arts Theory and Practice;
  • Seminar: Problems, Period, Style;Ìý²¹²Ô»å
  • Time-Image Arts.

All doctoral candidates research and create a final dissertation project, which must employ the latest visualization technologies.

Learn more about requirements for the Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD program.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51¶¯Âþ’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,264.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,693.00 per credit

You can view the full .

Our Advisors

Students in the Film and Media Arts Department’s graduate program are advised by their area head. All students are reviewed each semester by their mentors to discuss progress and registrations. The department administrators register all graduate students for their courses.

Contact

Roderick Coover, professor in the Film and Media Arts Department, is the advisor and director of the Documentary Arts and Visual Research PhD.
Phone: 215-204-3859
Email:

Program Contact

Roderick Coover, professor in the Film and Media Arts Department, is theÌýprogram contact for theÌýDocumentary Arts and Visual Research PhD.
Phone: 215-204-3859
Email:

Student Clubs & Organizations

Student clubs and organizations give you the opportunity to gain stage performance or production experience, express yourself without classroom restrictions, and network with other film andÌýtheater professionals. In addition, you can make friends and enhance your social life. Consider joining one or more of the following clubs.

  • is a selective national organization whose mission is to foster lifelong character, collaborative and creative storytelling, ethical and productive business practices, philanthropic action, and fraternal bonds by and between students of the cinematic arts.
  • is an organization geared toward creating a welcoming space for students of color within 51¶¯Âþ’s Film Department, affording the opportunity to come together to create, discuss, learn from and network with one another.
  • The connects Philadelphia-area students, recent graduates and rising content creators with industry leaders.
  • is a production organization aimed at encouraging women to work together to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in the art of filmmaking. They also run 51¶¯Âþ Women’s Fest, which is a showcase of the efforts of some of the most influential female filmmakers.
  • The ’s mission is to empower queer filmmakers and explore queer film both in theory and practice. Both queer and straight students are welcome to join.
  • is a group of 51¶¯Âþ student independent filmmakers who produce their own films and host an online film festival.
  • The meets once a week to screen a film from 51¶¯Âþ's Media Library. Sometimes, screenings are substituted with special events.
  • is a student film organization focused on helping students create short films throughout the semester.

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Study Away

Graduate students, who can find the time within their programs to participate, are welcome to study abroad. 51¶¯Âþ offers opportunities to study in Japan, , Rome and .

Students can also opt to spend a semester or summer in .

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Accreditation

The Film and Media Arts program is associated with the , an international organization of university and industry professionals working in the field of media production.

Additional Program Information