Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders program at
the University of South 168¿ª½±Íø offers students specialization in speech-language
pathology, audiology, or communication sciences and disorders (CSD). This individualized,
mentored, and interdisciplinary program is designed to provide a formal course of
academic instruction and advanced research training in CSD aimed at developing leaders
in research, teaching, and professional service. The mission of the Ph.D. program
is to prepare students for responsible and successful careers as scholars by enabling
them to gain the necessary knowledge and skills in the CSD discipline. Graduates will
be prepared for research, scientific writing, teaching and supervision/mentorship
through pedagogy, mentorship, and internship activities. The student’s ability to
engage in original research and scholarship is enhanced by coursework in experimental
research design and statistics, as well as various out-of-department opportunities.
For full-time students, it is anticipated that they can complete the PhD in approximately
four years. Competitive funding is available. Additional information regarding the
PhD CSD program is further detailed in the handbook, including details about the admission
and degree requirements.
Applications to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program can be made year-round for
admission the semester following acceptance.
Please see below for frequently asked questions about the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders program.
Although there are many career paths PhD holders can pursue, the most common include roles in higher education and scholarship, with appointments in research, teaching, clinical supervision, and service. PhD holders can also advance toward obtaining academic administration responsibilities with experience. Obtaining a PhD affords you the opportunity to work in several settings, such as universities, independent research and consulting agencies, and clinical practices (hospitals, clinics, etc.). Ultimately, with a PhD, you will be prepared to engage in the systematic process of conducting research with the goal of contributing novel information to evidence-based practice, scientific writing, educational pedagogy, and professional service.
- The PhD, EdD, AuD, and SLPD are all doctorates but with several differences amongst them. The PhD is a terminal academic degree that is heavily research-oriented with additional preparation for teaching and academic roles. A terminal degree refers to the highest level of education that can be achieved within a discipline/field. With a PhD, you are expected to contribute novel research, publish academic work, and engage in dissemination of scholarship through conferences. The total time for degree completion is typically longer than an SLPD , AuD, or EdD. That is, the PhD usually consists of about 3-6 years for degree completion. The PhD is typically residential in nature and requires close work with a research mentor to develop your line of research.
- The EdD is also a terminal degree but more focused for educators and professionals who are interested in educational leadership roles and applying research to educational settings. It can often be completed in 3 years, with several options to complete the degree residentially or online while still being able to continue employment.
- The AuD and SLPD are professional / clinical doctorates and although an advanced degree, are not considered terminal degrees. They prepare practicing clinicians to advance their practices in the aspects of clinical practice, leadership, organizational policy and procedures, clinical education/supervision, and basic clinical research. Although research may be included in the curriculum, it is not necessarily required. Time to completion for a AuD is typically 4 years and residential, while the SLPD is usually completed in about 2-3 years with online or limited residency options.
There are typically between 2-10 doctoral students in the PhD program at any given time, with the number of students growing as we continue to attract prospects locally, nationally, and internationally.
Although it is encouraged to have some background in communication sciences and disorders, it is not required to be admitted to the PhD program. However, we recommend you have a background in some similar or relevant sub-discipline or clinical experience (e.g., behavioral sciences) and are a good fit with one of our faculty research mentors. You must also have earned or are in the processing of completing a graduate degree from an accredited institution.
Although there are some foundational research and statistical courses required while enrolled, the coursework for students in the PhD program is largely tailored to the student’s research interest area and academic goals. Please see the PhD Student Handbook to see the coursework requirements.
The application process for the PhD program is streamlined through the . After confirming you meet the criteria to be considered for admission, create a CSDCAS account, and complete the Colleges Attended section where you will be prompted to select an institution. Select the University of South 168¿ª½±Íø Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD program and complete all fields required for submission.
We admit students in our PhD program on a rolling basis at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters. You may submit your application year-round.
Admission to the PhD program involves a comprehensive evaluation of your application. We recommend that you craft a targeted, well-balanced application that highlights your academic record, intellectual curiosity and capacity, and authentic personal and professional profile and interests that makes you fit for the program and a career as a research scholar.
To be considered for admission, you must have the following: Earned or be in the process of completing a graduate degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum of 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA, complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a preferred minimum composite score of 290, provide at least 3 letters of recommendation from faculty at your previous graduate institution (2 must be provided by PhD faculty), and submit a statement of purpose. Please see the Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD program degree requirements bulletin for specific details.
- Graduate assistantships are available annually but limited on a competitive basis. These assistantships provide PhD students an annual stipend, which must be renewed annually and are typically guaranteed for 3 years. PhD students who secure a graduate assistantship are required to work within the department up to 20 hours per week during each semester, with work assignments assigned based on departmental needs.
- There are support mechanisms in place to assist enrolled PhD students with travel expenses for research and academic endeavors (e.g., national conventions). The Graduate Student Activities Enhancement Program provides funding for eligible students up to $2,000. Please visit the Graduate Student Activities Enhancement Program Awardees webpage for more information. Our department also provides up to $250 for travel support, which may be matched by the College of Allied Health.
- Individuals who do not receive a graduate assistantship should note that there are several potential mechanisms of internal and external funding opportunities available for PhD students. For instance, each year the ASHFoundation awards 15 master’s level or doctoral student applicants $5,000 through the Graduate Student Scholarship, which can be applied to the PhD program. They also offer scholarships for students with disabilities, as well as minority and international students. There are scholarships available for PhD students who have or are soon to advance to PhD candidacy status as well. For example, the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) PhD Scholarship funds up to 8 students annually with $20,000. We encourage you to learn more about these funding options by visiting their respective websites. You may also want to search online for similar funding opportunities or view our PhD Student Handbook (Section M) for a more comprehensive list of potential funding sources.
- Students can also inquire about federal student loans through the Office of Financial Aid.
Yes, we welcome students interested in the PhD program for an on-site visit. Prior to requesting a visit, we encourage you to identify potential faculty member mentors on our faculty page whose research interests may align with yours to provide you an opportunity to meet with them during the visit. Please contact Dr. Ashley Flagge, the PhD Program Coordinator, to obtain more information about scheduling an on-campus visit.
There are several ways to go about choosing a research mentor. Listed below are simply recommendations that have worked for some students. Please know that this is not a comprehensive list, and your approach may be a combination of these options or different from the suggestions.
- Viewing the faculty webpage to explore faculty members’ interests may help you determine a potential faculty mentor. You may want to view their curriculum vitae, scholarly work, and associated lab pages to determine if their interests align well with yours. Look at their topics of study, methodologies and equipment used, patient populations they work with, and their clinical worldview.
- Set up a meeting with 1-2 faculty members and discuss your research interests and their mentorship approach. This is a good time to see if your personalities and goals align well.
- Look for faculty who are proactive in your areas of research interest and those who encourage publishing opportunities.
- Think about the funding opportunities that the potential mentor has in place or is working toward (e.g., NIH grants).
- Consider the lab culture to see if you would enjoy working in that environment.
- Talk with the potential mentor’s past and current PhD students to get a sense of the mentor-student relationship from a different perspective.
Currently, we do not offer a concurrent MS/PhD program, although it is possible to do a fast-track MS to PhD program for SLP students. However, we do offer an AuD/PhD option (see below).
Yes, we currently offer a dual-track option for Audiology doctoral students interested in pursuing a PhD. Students interested in the dual-track program begin the Audiology clinical doctorate program and complete two years of AuD coursework and clinic before beginning the dual track (adding PhD coursework) in the 3rd year of the AuD.
- At this time, we do not provide specific opportunities for students to complete their clinical fellowship (CF) while enrolled in the PhD program. It is recommended that if students try to complete their CF during the program that they do so only after they have passed their comprehensive exams. There are several factors that must be considered (e.g., student responsibilities, such as hours dedicated to classes, directed studies, research, graduate assistantships). These decisions are best made with your potential mentor, PhD coordinator, and PhD committee members.
- For students enrolled in the dual track AuD/PhD program, your AuD externship will be incorporated into your program of study. Most students choose to complete a local part-time or full-time externship after the completion of PhD comprehensive exams. However, as stated above for CFY, this decision is best made with your potential mentor, PhD coordinator, and PhD committee members.
- No, the master’s degree is the clinical entry-level degree for speech-language pathology. Please see the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) certification requirements for the certification standards needed to work clinically. For potential students interested in earning their master’s degree in speech-language pathology, please see our master’s degree program.
- For dual-track AuD/PhD students, you will complete the entry-level clinical requirement (AuD) simultaneously with your PhD. Students accepted to the dual-track program begin PhD coursework in the 3rd year of the AuD coursework.
The Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD program faculty provides close mentorship to PhD students throughout the process, including guidance on post-graduate career development and decisions, such pursuing a post-doctorate position or faculty opportunities. Given the exemplary training PhD students receive in our program, along with the faculty’s involvement in numerous external committees and organizations and high reputation nationally and internationally, many employers view graduates of our program as highly qualified.
For additional information, please contact our PhD Program Coordinator, Dr. Ashley Flagge.
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