SMC has achieved a reputation of being a premier journalism and mass communication institution in the country. SMC has earned this reputation because of the high quality and standard of education it is imparting to its students. It is a fact that media professionals produced by SMC are far ahead in terms of knowledge, vision and skills than those taught and trained by the departments of Journalism and mass communication at the public sector universities.  

As part of its policy to excel in research and inquiry, SMC has already admitted students in M Phil leading to PhD, in accordance with the rules and regulation set by Higher Education Commission (HEC). The faculty members of SMC have now decided to launch a doctoral programme in journalism and mass communication. Professor Dr. Mehdi Hasan, Dr. Taimur-ul-Hassan and Dr. Saman Talib will direct the media studies track of PhD in journalism mass communication. It may be mentioned here that among these senior teachers, two of them also have long experience of working of the media in Pakistan. The SMC has got the services of some of the senior most media persons and retired professors of the Punjab University.

SMC intends to supervise the PhD programme putting an emphasis on rhetoric and interpersonal communication, along with the working and impact of various fields of mass media in Pakistan. The programme will focus on interaction among the major components of mass communication, that is, media institutions, their contents, messages and audiences as a process by which cultural and socio-political message are generated. Candidates will examine these processes through the study of mass communication theories, adopting political, legal and social approaches in the context of Pakistan and the world in general.

The curriculum includes mass communication theories, perspectives and research methodologies. Comprehensive examination and dissertation will be needed for the award of PhD degree. Students may enter the programme without a professional and academic background of the media, but will be required to augment their studies through a selective coursework. Under certain circumstance, the SMC will consider granting admission to senior teachers in journalism and mass communication without going through the requirement of M.Phil, provided they complete the required coursework for PhD. The PhD programme will be of three years for candidates having an M.Phil degree. For others, it will be of five years. However, on the recommendation of thesis adviser, the required time period can be reduced. SMC hopes that its PhD programme will prove to be a success given the demand for advanced research and inquiry in the field of journalism and mass communication. It will also lift the profile of BNU as the leading liberal arts university in the country.