Dr. Elizabeth Dorrance Hall

Associate Professor

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Biography

Elizabeth Dorrance Hall is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University and the Director of the Family Communication Relationships Lab. She received her Ph.D. in Family Interpersonal Communication from Purdue University. Elizabeth's research focuses on communication processes in close relationships, particularly in family contexts. Her work applies extended interpersonal communication theories, including family communication patterns theory and confirmation theory, to explore difficult conversations and how close relationships evolve over time. She investigates family communication support associated with individual well-being and examines experiences of family member marginalization throughout life. Elizabeth is also interested in family-of-origin dynamics among first-generation college graduates and the women's experiences in traditionally male-dominated career fields. She recently completed a Fulbright Scholar award to study communication in multigenerational families in Slovenia in 2021. Currently, her work is funded by the NSF CAREER Award grant, which assesses effective parent-daughter communication regarding STEM interests and careers for families from diverse backgrounds (2023-2027). Elizabeth is recognized as an MSU Teacher-Scholar awardee.

Research Interests

Courses

Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Family Communication Advanced Interpersonal Communication Communication Theory Process Interpersonal Communication Theory

Requirements for Michigan State University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:17
Writing
Required:17
Speaking
Required:17
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field At least 15 credits in psychology courses
Application Checklist
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Specialization Notes

Department of Psychology