Combining the PhD with a Graduate Minor in Cinema/Video Production enhances research, pedagogy, and career opportunities by allowing scholars to analyze cultural, social, and political processes through both literature and moving image art-making. Scholars gain the ability to analyze visual and textual media across historical periods and contexts, while the Minor allows for creative and expressive possibilities of single-camera electronic cinematography, providing them with an understanding of the aesthetic issues involved with cinema/video production, with emphasis on the practice of moving image art-making through creative projects.

Program requirements: 
4+ courses and a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours through the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts. No application fee. 

Professional organizations:  
Filmmakers Alliance
Nonprofit offering ongoing support to (aspiring) filmmakers through consultation, networking, creative support, etc. Student membership: $35/y. 
Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI)
Global network promoting the participation of women in film/television; has many local chapters. Student membership: $20/y. Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
For those who want to work in post-production, offering online courses. Student membership: $15/year

Potential Careers:
Production Assistant, Media Archivist, Instructional or Commercial Media Producer. 

Pairing the PhD with the Graduate Minor in Nonprofit Management or Graduate Certificate in Public Management is useful because it combines deep cultural/humanistic expertise with practical organizational, administrative, and leadership skills. Additional community service experience would be a plus for students interested in this pathway. The Office of Student Life: Leadership and Community Engagement at OSU is an excellent resource for those students looking for community service experience.

Program requirements: 
Graduate Minor in Nonprofit Management: 10 credit hours made up of 7 credits of foundations courses + 3 credits of an elective course. No application fee. 
Graduate Certificate in Public Management: 13 credit hours made up 10 credits of core courses + 3 credits of elective course(s). $60 application fee. 

Professional organizations:  
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) 
Multiple resources and educational opportunities for those wishing to work in coordinating projects on a local level. Student membership: $25/y. 
Net Impact 
International organization (with OSU chapter) that connects people interested in bringing about change through business. Membership through local chapter (Cost varies). 
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
Multiple resources, as well as an annual conference, for those interested in working with public administration in any capacity; has many different sections that focus on social/environmental justice, as well as one for Latin America. Student membership: $80/y. 

Potential Careers: 
Cultural Consultant or Strategist (private sector), Cultural/Art Program Coordinator (local government/NGOs), Community Outreach Coordinator (local government/NGOs), Study Abroad Coordinator (university), Donor Relations Manager, Policy Advocate (non-profit), Program development coordinator (non-profit), Grants Writer/Manager (non-profit), Policy Analyst (consultant) 

Completing the PhD with a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) creates a powerful interdisciplinary bridge between cultural expertise and advanced spatial analysis. In the Humanities, GIST acts as a critical framework for digital humanities research, allowing scholars to move beyond narrative text to visualize and analyze the spatial dimensions of literary works, linguistic evolution, and cultural shifts. This technical specialization enhances a PhD's career versatility and "strategic capabilities" by merging cultural proficiency with data-driven decision-making. GIST skills—including spatial modeling, cartographic design, and proficiency in tools like ArcGIS or Python—are in high demand across government agencies, international organizations, and the private sector.

Program requirements: 
12 graduate credit hours (4 courses)

Professional organizations:  
Geospatial Professional Network (GPN) 
For those who want to work with spatial data in any capacity, with special focus on students/young professionals. Student membership: $20/y. 
International Cartographic Association (ICA)
Accessible through national organizations; seeks to foster the general use of cartography in working with data, across areas (including social/cultural topics). Student membership: $28/y. 
North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) 
Organization with a special focus on the visual (design/artistic) aspect of mapping; has programs, publications, and awards. Student membership: $20/y. 

Potential Careers:
Cultural Resources Specialist (Local Government or Private Sector), GIS Coordinator (Local Government), GIS Analyst (Consultant Firms)

Combining a PhD and the Graduate Minor in City and Regional Planning creates an interdisciplinary lens for studying the socio-spatial dynamics of global communities - how language and cultural identity shape, and are shaped by, urban environments, such as the evolution of linguistic enclaves, the preservation of cultural heritage in rapidly developing cities, or the impact of migration patterns on neighborhood infrastructure. This background is particularly valuable for addressing complex urban and regional issues where cultural literacy is essential for effective community engagement and inclusive policy-making.

Program requirements: 
12 graduate credit hours in City and Regional Planning

Professional organizations:  
Urban Affairs Association (UAA)
Offers professional development opportunities for students/young professionals, not necessarily focusing on ‘pure’ urbanism, but much more on its interdisciplinary applications. Student membership: $42/y. 
Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU)
For those who want to apply their knowledge in a more hands-on, community-based way. They have many projects and development opportunities, mostly focused on building walkable communities—where there is also a place for the cultural. Student membership: $5/y. 

Potential Careers:
Community Engagement Coordinator (Local Government), Community Outreach Specialist/Coordinator (NGOs).

PhD students who choose the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Assessment (EA) move beyond scientific data to explore the cultural, ethical, and historical contexts that shape how societies perceive and interact with the natural world. This interdisciplinary approach is critical for ensuring that technical environmental solutions do not flounder because they ignore the specific social and political contexts of the regions where they are applied. Overall, students increase their likelihood of employability in governmental and federal agencies, consulting firms, civil society organizations, and multinational corporations.

Program requirements: 
12 graduate credit hours. Admissions criteria and application deadlines posted at the link above.

Professional organizations:  
International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) 
Connects the academic and the professional, mostly through professional development. In their wide range of preoccupations, cultural aspects in environmental matters are relevant. Student membership: $45/y. 
Institute for Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP)
Global organization, very receptive to students not necessarily majoring in environmental studies; helps to build socially responsible sustainable development through courses and professional development. Student membership: £31/y (UK-based). 

Potential Careers:
Environmental/Outreach Organizer (Local Government/Community Organizations or NGOs), Environmental Program Coordinator (Local Government or NGOs)

Integrating the Graduate Minor in Business in Health Science into a PhD plan creates a unique academic path that enables doctoral researchers to analyze the cultural, linguistic, and health literacy barriers along with the strategic goals of health organizations. It creates job candidates with business acumen and principled leadership skills that guide initiatives that improve the cultural and linguistic competence at a systemic level, ensuring that health services are both accessible and cost-efficient for diverse populations.

Program requirements: 
12 graduate credit hours (7 courses) during summer term. Application and acceptance process, must be a current student at OSU.

Professional organizations:  
Net Impact 
International organization (with OSU chapter) that connects people interested in bringing about change through business. Membership through local chapter (unclear about costs). 
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Very broad organization that supports anyone interested in any form of project management, which would include business. Offers all sorts of resources. Student membership: $32/y. 

Potential Careers:
Multi-lingual Operations Coordinator or Translation Services Management (Public or Private Sector), International Studies Coordinator (University or Private Sector), Healthcare Consulting or Cultural Resources Manager/Specialist (Consultant/Local Government). 

The Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration paired with a PhD in Literatures & Cultures allows scholars to explore the critical role of language and culture as they intersect with legal systems, investigating how linguistic barriers and cultural misunderstandings can impact due process and equal access to justice. Knowledge of how sociocultural backgrounds of diverse populations influence interactions with law enforcement and correctional institutions results in expertise and careers that develop more culturally responsive practices within the administrative branches of the justice system.

Program requirements: 
15 graduate credit hours. Application criteria and deadlines posted at the link above. 

Professional organizations:  
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) 
Besides some basic resources and an annual conference, this is mostly a networking resource in the field of criminal justice. Student membership: $60/y. 
International Community Justice Association (ICJA)
Also functions mostly as a networking platform but envisioning a more direct social impact as their focus is on incarceration on a community level. Student membership: $25/y. 

Potential Careers:
Spanish-speaking Legal Assistant, Criminal Justice Liaison or Specialist, Cultural Competency Trainer or Policy Advisor