Dec 03, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.


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A nationwide shortage of individuals with Ph.D.s in the discipline of communication sciences and disorders means that graduates are in high demand for employment in leadership positions in health facilities, universities and research centers. In addition to advanced course work related to communication disorders, students complete requirements in statistics, research design, hearing or speech sciences, a teaching/supervising internship and dissertation.

The Ph.D. program is individualized to the specific interests of the student while assuring a rigorous educational experience appropriate to the research-training and advanced knowledge characteristics of the degree. Students may be admitted to the Ph.D. program at various stages, including 1) post-masters, 2) post-baccalaureate, and 3) post-Au.D., depending upon the individual’s career goals. Some students may wish to pursue clinical qualifications in either audiology or speech-language pathology while concurrently undertaking their Ph.D. studies. All admitted students will undertake an individually-designed program emphasizing research tools, research activities and in-depth exposure to a major area of interest supported by study in a minor area.

Admission Requirements

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.25 grade point average in major course work.
  • General GRE scores (verbal, quantitative and writing).
  • Three letters of recommendation on letterhead stationery.
  • Personal written statement regarding career goals, reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree, and areas of research interest.
  • Personal interview.

Degree Requirements


The Ph.D. program affords a time for students to acquire the depth of knowledge, skills and experiences to empower them to create new knowledge in the field and to become expert researchers, leaders, teachers and/or supervisors. Each student’s course of study is individually tailored to meet the student’s interests and represents an agreement between the student and the student’s advising committee.

All students must pursue an advanced course of study that will include the following components:

Footnote


1 These requirements may be partially met for students holding a doctoral degree or concurrently completing another JMU doctoral program.

Sample Curriculum for Post-Masters


Requirements


  • Core course work 8 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration course work 14 Credit Hours
  • Outside, related course work 6 Credit Hours
  • Research tools 12 Credit Hours
  • Directed research 6 Credit Hours
  • Teaching/Supervision 2 Credit Hours
  • Dissertation (minimum of 9 credits) 9 Credit Hours

Total: 57 Credit Hours


Sample Curriculum for Post-Bachelors


Requirements


  • Post-Bachelors course work (individually determined) 36-44 Credit Hours
  • Core course work 8 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration course work 14 Credit Hours
  • Outside, related course work 6 Credit Hours
  • Research tools 12 Credit Hours
  • Directed research 6 Credit Hours
  • Teaching/Supervision 2 Credit Hours
  • Dissertation (minimum of 9 credits) 9 Credit Hours

Total: 93-101 Credit Hours


Sample Curriculum for Dual Au.D./Ph.D.


Requirements


  • Doctor of Audiology requirements (includes 6 credits of dissertation) 100 Credit Hours
  • Core course work 8 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration course work 3 Credit Hours
  • Outside, related course work 6 Credit Hours
  • Research tools 3 Credit Hours
  • Directed research 3 Credit Hours
  • Teaching/Supervision 2 Credit Hours
  • Dissertation (minimum of 5 credits) 5 Credit Hours

Total: 130 Credit Hours


Sample Curriculum for Post Au.D.


Requirements


  • Core course work 8 Credit Hours
  • Major concentration course work 3 Credit Hours
  • Outside, related course work 6 Credit Hours
  • Research tools 3 Credit Hours
  • Directed research 3 Credit Hours
  • Teaching/Supervision 2 Credit Hours
  • Dissertation (minimum of 5 credits – assumes 6 dissertation credits in Au.D.) 5 Credit Hours

Total: 30 Credit Hours


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