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The Ph.D. degree provides advanced, interdisciplinary research training in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a unique opportunity for integrated learning in our field. Students in the Ph.D. program develop the skills and expertise necessary to conceive and conduct innovative, independent research and to prepare for a career of lifelong scholarship.

All Ph.D. students complete a comprehensive exam, attend Research Seminars in the department, and conduct an independent doctoral thesis. The School's doctoral program follows a mentor model and students work closely with faculty supervisors who have international reputations in their respective areas.

There are two entry levels into the Ph.D. program:
• Students who have completed a Master’s degree with research thesis in Communication Sciences & Disorders or a related area (e.g., linguistics, psychology, cognitive sciences) at an approved institution are admitted, on the recommendation of the department, to the Ph.D. program at level PhD-2. If the student has not completed a formal research thesis, a comparable level of research experience is required to be admitted as PhD-2.
• High-caliber students who demonstrate all of the qualities necessary to enroll in the Ph.D. program, but who have not completed a research thesis at the Master’s level, may qualify for the Qualifying Year program and enter at level PhD-1. Typically, students considered for this program have completed a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree (without research thesis) in Communication Sciences’ & Disorders or a related field and provide evidence of a strong interest in human communication and its disorders. Students accepted into this stream undertake a qualifying year of study comprised of coursework and a Qualifying-Year research project. Students who successfully complete all requirements of the qualifying year are permitted to continue in the doctoral program; at this point (beginning in PhD-2) they complete all of the same requirements as students in the regular doctoral program.

Learn about opportunities to fund your research training.