Communication Sciences and Disorders - Ph.D.

Program Overview

Communication Sciences and Disorders - Ph.D.

Overview

The Ph.D. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders provides the student with a strong theoretical background and competency in research skills applicable to communication (audiology, speech, language, cognition and/or swallowing) processes and/or disorders. The program is ideal for those interested in academic and research careers in communication sciences or disorders. The curriculum and plan of study are individualized and collectively planned between the student and the doctoral committee.

Contact Information

• Cara O'Flannigan | |

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

• Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
  • 20.5% much faster than the average
  • 254,000 number of jobs
  • $99,090 potential earnings
• Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
  • 6.1% faster than the average
  • 138,300 number of jobs
  • $91,510 potential earnings

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university (not necessarily in areas of speech-language pathology and audiology)
• Bachelor's degree (not necessarily in areas of speech-language pathology and audiology)
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (minimum 3.500 GPA is recommended)
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: January 15
    Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • Major Requirements
    • Area of Study 1 | 24
    • Electives 2 | 12
    • Statistics and Research Design Coursework 3 | 9
    • Culminating Requirement
      • SPA 84199 | DISSERTATION I 4 | 30
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: 75

1. Concentration Area of Study: This collection of coursework relates to the students' main areas of interest. It must consist of a combination of lecture classes or seminars, courses in grant or manuscript writing and independent studies and/or research. These courses are meant to build upon the students’ interests in a selected major area of study, and courses may be taken in other program areas (such as psychology, English, business, biology, counseling, special education, computer science, etc.); within speech-language pathology and audiology; or from an affiliated medical school. With the exception of allowed transfer credits, all courses must be taken at the doctoral 7/80000 level. Additional prerequisite coursework may be required at a lower level; this coursework would not count towards the 24 credit hours.
2. Electives: Included within the 12 credit hours may be courses or independent studies related to student interests, including additional (non-concentration) academic or clinical areas of interest, interprofessional or cross-disciplinary topics and/or additional training in research methods, statistics or writing.
3. Statistics and Research Methods: Each doctoral candidate must register and complete no less than two graduate-level statistics courses and no less than one advanced research methods course. Required statistics courses should include a focus on inferential statistics, including regression. Advanced research methods should include an advanced research methods course that covers both quantitative and/or qualitative approaches.
4. Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for SPA 84199. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I each semester (fall, spring) for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter will register for SPA 84299, each semester (fall, spring) until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary
  • Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA
    • • | 3.000

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop, implement and evaluate a line of individual and collaborative research.
2. Teach within a clinical and/or didactic context.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Ph.D. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders provides students with a strong theoretical background and competency in research skills applicable to communication (audiology, speech, language, cognition and/or swallowing) processes and/or disorders. The program is ideal for those interested in academic and research careers in communication sciences or disorders. The curriculum and plan of study are individualized and collectively planned between the student and the doctoral committee.

Outline:

• Major Requirements:
• Area of Study:
12 credit hours
• This collection of coursework relates to the students' main areas of interest.
It must consist of a combination of lecture classes or seminars, courses in grant or manuscript writing and independent studies and/or research. These courses are meant to build upon the students’ interests in a selected major area of study, and courses may be taken in other program areas (such as psychology, English, business, biology, counseling, special education, computer science, etc. ); within speech-language pathology and audiology; or from an affiliated medical school. With the exception of allowed transfer credits, all courses must be taken at the doctoral 7/80000 level. Additional prerequisite coursework may be required at a lower level; this coursework would not count towards the 24 credit hours.
• Electives: 21 credit hours
• Included within the 12 credit hours may be courses or independent studies related to student interests, including additional (non-concentration) academic or clinical areas of interest, interprofessional or cross-disciplinary topics and/or additional training in research methods, statistics or writing.
• Statistics and Research Design Coursework: 3 credit hours
• Each doctoral candidate must register and complete no less than two graduate-level statistics courses and no less than one advanced research methods course.
Required statistics courses should include a focus on inferential statistics, including regression. Advanced research methods should include an advanced research methods course that covers both quantitative and/or qualitative approaches.
• Culminating Requirement: 43 credit hours
• Upon admission to candidacy, each doctoral candidate must register for SPA 84199.
It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I each semester (fall, spring) for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter will register for SPA 84299, each semester (fall, spring) until all requirements for the degree have been met.
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 75

Careers:

• Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries:
• Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
• 20.5% much faster than the average
• 254,000 number of jobs
• $99,090 potential earnings
• Speech-language pathologists
• 24.9% much faster than the average
• 162,600 number of jobs
• $80,480 potential earnings
• Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
• 6.1% faster than the average
• 138,300 number of jobs
• $91,510 potential earnings

Other:

• Program Learning Outcomes:
• Graduates of this program will be able to:
• Develop, implement and evaluate a line of individual and collaborative research.
• Teach within a clinical and/or didactic context.
• Professional Licensure Disclosure:
• This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio.
• Speech and Hearing Clinic:
• This full-service clinic diagnoses speech, language, and hearing disorders, and provides therapy and treatment while also providing invaluable practicum experience for graduate students.
• Where in the World is KSU:
• Kent State University includes eight campuses in Northeast Ohio and additional facilities in the region and internationally.