Speech & Hearing Science, PhD
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Speech & Hearing Science
The department offers programs leading to the Master of Arts, Doctor of Audiology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with specialization in various aspects of audiology and speech-language pathology. The Department of Speech and Hearing Science offers graduate programs of study in speech-language pathology, audiology, and speech, language, and hearing science. The department prepares scientists and professionals who specialize in the study of perception and production of spoken, written, signed, and alternative communication and communication disorders, as well as dysphagia. Graduate degrees are offered at the master's and doctoral levels.
Admission
Admission to the doctoral program requires completion of a bachelor's degree. The doctoral program is divided into three stages: Stage I, which includes the master's degree or its equivalent; Stage II, which is advanced course work and completion of all departmental requirements, with the exception of the dissertation defense and deposit; and Stage III, which is the conduct of the dissertation, its defense and deposit.
See more information about admissions.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Speech & Hearing Science
The program may be planned with specialization in many areas of audiology, speech-language pathology, and speech, language or hearing science. Individual programs of study will be tailored to the student's area of scholarly and research interests and are planned by the student and the advisor. The minimum academic course requirements for this degree are 64 graduate hours of course work beyond those required for a master's degree or equivalent, a qualifying exam, and a dissertation.
The first two to four years of the doctoral program are typically devoted to course work, including the completion of an Early Research Project (ERP), in the area of concentration selected by the student. For students entering with a M.A./M.S., the ERP occurs early in Stage II and must be completed before the Qualifying Exam. For students entering the PhD program directly from a B.A./B.S. degree, the ERP may be undertaken and completed in Stage I or Stage II. In the middle of Stage II, students will take a Qualifying Exam. Successful completion of the Qualifying Exam provides evidence of the student's satisfactory progress toward scholarly independence and indicates the student is then qualified to begin the planning stages of a dissertation proposal. A preliminary exam on the dissertation proposal occurs at the end of Stage II and marks the transition to Stage III. The doctoral program culminations with a Final Exam/Dissertation Defense, and oral examination over a written document.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Entering with approved M.A./M.S. or Au.D. degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3 courses in statistics-related areas | 12 | |
| SHS 590 | History of CSD | 4 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 2-4 |
| SHS 594 | PhD Early Research Project | 8 |
| One or two advanced 500-level seminars in SHS | 4 | |
| Restricted elective hours, not including SHS 592, SHS 594, SHS 599 | 8-12 | |
Restricted elective courses, requiring approval by the mentor with input from the advising committee, are identified to support students’ individualized areas of study within the broad field of communication sciences and disorders. If minimum credits are completed in SHS 592/SHS 594, then the maximum of restricted electives are required. If maximum credits are taken in SHS 592/SHS 594, then the minimum of restricted electives are required. | ||
| SHS 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 24 |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Entering with approved B.A./B.S. degree
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 3 courses in statistics-related areas | 12 | |
| SHS 590 | History of CSD | 4 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 2-4 |
| SHS 594 | PhD Early Research Project | 8 |
| One or two advanced 500-level seminars in SHS | 4 | |
| Restricted elective hours, not including SHS 594, SHS 594, SHS 599 | 40-42 | |
Restricted elective courses, requiring approval by the mentor with input from the advising committee, are identified to support students’ individualized areas of study within the broad field of communication sciences and disorders. If minimum credits are completed in SHS 592/SHS 594, then the maximum of restricted electives are required. If maximum credits are taken in SHS 592/SHS 594, then the minimum of restricted electives are required. | ||
| SHS 599 | Thesis Research (min/max applied toward degree) | 24 |
| Total Hours | 96 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Speech & Hearing Science
- Identify and hone a research area in communication sciences and/or disorders, mastering its scientific and theoretical knowledge base by reading and critically evaluating the literature and seeking learning opportunities with a network of interdisciplinary experts (both on and off-campus).
- Develop expertise and independence in conducting scientific research(including statement of the problem/hypotheses, design of the experimental method, collection of data, analysis of data, interpretation of results, and ethical conduct of research), in order to solve problems related to communication science and disorders; and in seeking funding for research.
- Develop expertise and independence in disseminating findings(oral & written) to the broader community.
- Develop long-term research goals, layout a plan to accomplish these goals, and determine an immediate career path (post-doctoral fellow positions, faculty position, etc.).
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Speech & Hearing Science
Department of Speech & Hearing Science
Department Head: Pamela Hadley, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies: Raksha Mudar, Ph.D.
Graduate Support: Andrea Paceley
Department of Speech & Hearing Science website
Program website
Department of Speech & Hearing Science faculty
901 South Sixth Street, Room 103, Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-2230
Speech & Hearing Science email
College of Applied Health Sciences
College of Applied Health Sciences website
Admissions
Department of Speech & Hearing Science Admissions Info & Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements