Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.

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

Core Courses: 11 Credit Hours

CSD 805. Methods of Measurement in CSD Credits: 3.00
CSD 806. Ph.D. Professional Development Seminar I Credits: 1.00
CSD 807. Ph. D. Professional Development Seminar II Credits: 1.00
CSD 808. Grant Writing in Communication Sciences and Disorders Credits: 3.00
CSD 841. Foundations of Teaching and Learning Credits: 2.00
CSD 842. Mentored Teaching Experience in CSD Credits: 1.00

Major Area of Emphasis: 14 Credit Hours

Students must complete 14 credit hours of coursework in their major area of emphasis. Students should work in consultation with their advisors to develop a major area of emphasis and select the appropriate coursework. The following courses may count towards the student’s area of emphasis, but should be approved by the student’s advisor.

CSD 523. Psychoacoustics Credits: 3.00
CSD 621. Neurophysiologic Measures II Credits: 2.00
CSD 680. Reading and Research Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
CSD 718. Independent Study Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
CSD 720. Implantable Auditory Devices Credits: 3.00
CSD 810. Professional Seminar in Audiology Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
CSD 862. Advanced Seminar in CSD: Selected Topics I Credits: 2.00 - 3.00
CE 850. Professional Internship Credits: 1.00 - 5.00 (when topic is appropriate)
Additional courses as approved by advisor

Minor Area of Emphasis: 6 Credit Hours

Students must complete 6 credit hours of coursework in a minor area of emphasis that is related to but separate from their major area. Students should work in consultation with their advisors to select the appropriate coursework. The following courses may fulfill this requirement but should be pre-approved by the student’s advisor.

BIO 543. Understanding Techniques in Neuroscience Credits: 3.00
BIO 550. Neurobiology Credits: 4.00
PSYC 625. Human Neuropsychology Credits: 3.00
PSYC 749. Multicultural Perspectives in Intervention Credits: 3.00
PSYC 810. Advanced Multicultural Issues in Counseling Credits: 3.00 Additional courses as approved by advisor

Statistical Methods and Research Design: 12 Credit Hours

Students must complete 12 credit hours of coursework in statistical methods and research design. Students should work in consultation with their advisors to select the courses most suited to their area of emphasis and professional goals. The following courses may fulfill this requirement but should be pre-approved by the student’s advisor.

CSD 600. Research in Audiology Credits: 3.00
MATH 522. Statistics for Researchers Credits: 3.00
MATH 626E. Biological Applications of Statistics Credits: 3.00
PSYC 604. Data Management and Analysis Credits: 3.00
PSYC 605. Intermediate Inferential Statistics Credits: 3.00
PSYC 608. Multivariate Statistical Methods in Psychology Credits: 3.00
PSYC 609. Applied Research Methods Credits: 3.00
PSYC 803. Quasi-Experimental Research Methods Credits: 3.00
PSYC 840. Qualitative Research Design and Analysis Credits: 3.00
PSYC 850. Special Topics in Assessment and Measurement Credits: 3.00 (Topic: Adv Qualitative/Mixed Methods) Additional courses as approved by advisor

Directed Research: 6 Credit Hours

CSD 717. Directed Research Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
CSD 817. Directed Research Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
CSD 917. Directed Research Credits: 1.00 - 3.00

Dissertation: 9 Credit Hours

CSD 920. Doctoral Dissertation in CSD Credits: 1.00 - 12.00

Program Total: 58 Credit Hours

Sample Curriculum for Post-Masters

Core course work, including teaching: 11 Credit Hours
Major area of emphasis course work: 14 Credit Hours
Minor area of emphasis course work: 6 Credit Hours
Statistical methods and research design: 12 Credit Hours
Directed research: 6 Credit Hours
Dissertation: 9 Credit Hours minimum

Total: 58 Credit Hours

Sample Curriculum for Post-Bachelors

Post-Bachelors course work (individually determined): 36-44 Credit Hours
Core course work, including teaching: 11 Credit Hours
Major area of emphasis course work: 14 Credit Hours
Minor area of emphasis course work: 6 Credit Hours
Statistical methods and research design: 12 Credit Hours
Directed research: 6 Credit Hours
Dissertation: 9 Credit Hours minimum

Total: 93-101 Credit Hours

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

Doctor of Audiology requirements (includes 6 credits of dissertation): 100 Credit Hours
Core course work, including teaching: 11 Credit Hours
Major area of emphasis course work: 3 Credit Hours
Minor area of emphasis course work: 6 Credit Hours
Statistical methods and research design: 3 Credit Hours
Directed research: 3 Credit Hours
Dissertation: 5 Credit Hours minimum

Total: 130 Credit Hours

Sample Curriculum for Post Au.D.

Core course work, including teaching: 11 Credit Hours
Major area of emphasis course work: 3 Credit Hours
Minor area of emphasis course work: 6 Credit Hours
Statistical methods and research design: 3 Credit Hours
Directed research: 3 Credit Hours
Dissertation (minimum of 5 credits – assumes 6 dissertation credits in Au.D.) 5 Credit Hours