Ashoka University Online PhD in Extension Education and Communication Management Admission 2025, Answer Key, News & Articles Details, Yoga Day

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Application form

Secondary School (Class 10th) Mark Sheet

Pass Certificate of Class 10th

Senior Secondary School (Class 12th ) Mark sheet or equivalent

Pass Certificate of Class 12th

Valid Certificate for proof of Date of Birth

Graduation Marks Sheet or equivalent, If applicable

Graduation Degree certificate, If applicable

Postgraduate Mark Sheet or equivalent

Postgraduate Degree certificate

Migration Certificate (Original+2 Xerox)

School Leaving Certificate/Transfer Certificate/College Leaving Certificate, as applicable

Caste Certificates (ST/SC/OBC-NCL), EWS Certificates

Semester 1: Foundation of Extension Education and Communication

Foundations of Extension Education

• Historical evolution and philosophy of extension education
• The role of extension in rural development and community empowerment
• Key concepts: participatory development, adult education, and experiential learning
• Models and approaches to extension education

Communication Theory and Models

• Theories of communication (linear, interactive, and transactional models)
• Role of communication in development and behavior change
• Mass communication, interpersonal communication, and digital communication

Research Methodology in Extension Education

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods in extension
• Survey methods, case studies, and participatory research
• Data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques
• Writing research proposals and review of the literature

Educational Psychology and Communication

• Theories of learning and motivation in educational settings
• Psychological principles in communication and behavior change
• Communication styles, barriers, and strategies for effective learning

Semester 2: Advanced Topics in Extension Education and Communication Management

Extension Education Program Planning and Evaluation

• Needs assessment and identifying target audiences
• Designing educational programs and communication strategies
• Monitoring and evaluation methods for extension programs
• Impact assessment and feedback mechanisms

Advanced Communication Strategies

• Strategic communication planning and management
• Role of communication in policy advocacy, social mobilization, and community development
• Media strategies: Traditional vs. new media in extension communication
• Crisis communication, public relations, and media relations

Health Communication and Education

• Theories and practices in health communication
• Community health education and public health campaigns
• Role of communication in health behavior change (e.g., HIV/AIDS, sanitation, nutrition)
• Use of mass media and digital tools for health communication

Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

• Models of agricultural extension: Public, private, and non-governmental approaches
• Technologies in agriculture and their communication strategies
• Rural development theories and application
• Gender and inclusion in rural development communication

Semester 3: Research Development and Specialized Topics

Qualitative Research Methods in Extension

• In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA)
• Case studies and ethnographic research methods
• Content analysis and thematic analysis
• Applications of qualitative methods in extension and communication

Digital Communication and Social Media in Extension

• Role of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) in extension education
• E-learning tools and platforms for extension programs
• Digital literacy and the use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) in rural areas
• Challenges and opportunities in digital extension

Community-based Communication and Participatory Approaches

• Participatory communication models and techniques
• Community-driven development: Participatory video, radio, and storytelling
• Empowerment and social change through community-based communication
• Building networks and partnerships in community extension

Communication and Extension for Environmental Education

• Climate change communication and extension
• Environmental sustainability in rural areas
• Conservation communication strategies
• Community engagement for environmental education and awareness

Semester 4: Advanced Research and Thesis Proposal

Quantitative Research Methods in Extension

• Survey design, sampling techniques, and data analysis methods
• Statistical tools for extension research (SPSS, R, etc.)
• Hypothesis testing and regression analysis
• Experimental designs in educational and extension research

Extension Communication for Rural Youth and Women

• Communication strategies for youth and women in rural settings
• Empowering women and youth through extension programs
• Gender-sensitive communication and educational practices
• Case studies and best practices in rural youth development

Extension Communication Policy and Planning

• Policy-making in extension education and communication
• Communication for development (C4D) policies at local, national, and global levels
• Institutional frameworks for extension education
• Advocacy and lobbying for extension policies

Research Proposal Development and Writing

• Finalization of research topics and writing research proposals
• Literature review, conceptual framework, and methodology development
• Presentation of research ideas and preliminary findings
• Feedback and refinement of the thesis proposal

Semester 5: Data Collection and Fieldwork

Fieldwork and Data Collection

• Planning and executing fieldwork for dissertation research
• Data collection techniques: Surveys, interviews, participant observation
• Ethical considerations in field research
• Community engagement and participatory research during data collection

Dissertation Research and Writing (Part I)

• Analyzing collected data and synthesizing findings
• Writing chapters of the dissertation: Introduction, literature review, methodology
• Developing a conceptual framework for research analysis
• Conducting interviews, focus groups, and participatory observation (if applicable)

Semester 6: Data Analysis, Thesis Writing, and Defense

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Advanced data analysis techniques: Qualitative and quantitative
• Using statistical and analytical software (e.g., NVivo, SPSS)
• Synthesis of data to develop conclusions and recommendations
• Drafting and revising thesis chapters: Results, discussion, and conclusions

Communication Campaigns and Advocacy for Extension

• Designing effective communication campaigns for rural extension
• Advocacy strategies for policy change through communication
• Using multimedia for advocacy (e.g., radio, television, social media)
• Evaluation and impact measurement of communication campaigns

Dissertation Research and Writing (Part II)

• Finalizing the dissertation document
• Editing and refining research findings
• Preparing for the final defense and presentation of research

Thesis Defense and Final Submission

• Oral defense of the dissertation in front of the academic committee
• Responding to questions, suggestions, and critiques from the panel
• Final revisions and submission of the dissertation
• Preparing articles for publication in academic journals based on research findings