The Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders uses a mentorship model, such that prospective students should identify a research faculty mentor they are interested in working with. Before applying to the Ph.D. program, you should reach out to the faculty member of interest to inquire if they are accepting doctoral students and to determine if your interests align with theirs.

Research Labs & Directors

Autism Initiative for Research, Education, and Outreach (AIREO) 

Directors: Dr. Lisa Audet (retired), Dr. Sloane Burgess and Dr. MaryAnn Devine

Communication Enhancement Lab 

Directors: Dr. Lisa Audet and Dr. Sloane Burgess

Miscommunication & Dialogue Interaction Lab (MADI Lab) 

Director: Dr. Jenny Roche

Perception, Learning, and Individual Differences (PLAID) Lab

Director: Dr. Julia Huyck

Swallowing Physiology & Rehabilitation Research (SPARR) Lab 

Director: Dr. Ali Barikroo

Speech Language Physiology (SLP) Lab

Director: Dr. Hayley Arnold

Speech-Language Telepractice Project 

Director: Dr. Susan Grogan-Johnson

Learning Outcomes, Cognitive Abilities, and Language (LOCAL) Lab 

Director: Dr. Kathleen Durant

The Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders use of a mentor training model requires prospective doc students to identify an area of interest that aligns with at least one of the faculty mentors (listed above). Typically, prospective doctoral students should identify a faculty mentor and area of interest that aligns with that faculty member in their statement of interest (a.k.a. - statement of purpose; letter of intent; goal statement; etc) submitted with their application materials.

Funding (stipend and tuition waiver) is not always guaranteed and is subject to review each academic year. Ph.D. applicants who apply to the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders by Jan. 15 will be considered for funding. Our program, however, does offer a rolling deadline to any student not needing funding.

All Ph.D. students must complete a Master's Thesis (prior to admission to the Ph.D. program, typically completed during their Master’s coursework) or a project in lieu of thesis (for those who did not complete a Master’s thesis). Typically, in the first two years of the Ph.D. program, students will take courses, engage in research, and individual investigations. Once coursework has been completed, Ph.D. students will enter the comprehensive phase of their studies in which they may select from any of the 9 Doctoral Comprehensive Exams listed in the graduate handbook. Once the Ph.D. student successfully completes their Comprehensive Exam, they will enter the Candidacy Phase, in which they will propose, execute and eventually defend their doctoral dissertation. The expected timeline for completion of the doctoral degree is 4-5 years of full-time study.

The Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers both full and part-time degree opportunities. When you identify a potential Ph.D. mentor, you should also communicate your interest in attending full or part time. Only full time students may be considered for an assistantship.