Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.
Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
About the Program
The Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders seeks to bring students to a level of education at which they may participate as scholars in the discipline. It is the program's objective to provide doctoral students with a base of information sufficiently broad that they understand the range of their discipline, yet deep enough in a chosen area of specialization to enable them to comfortably assume positions of leadership. The program emphasizes education in specific methods of research, appropriate to the student's area of specialization, reaching a level at which the graduate will be able to make original and valuable contributions to the knowledge of the field. A final objective is to infuse students with the spirit of scientific inquiry and wisdom in the methods and philosophy of science to place their own contributions, and the contributions of others, in a proper perspective with regard to theoretical and philosophical positions and trends. It is anticipated that graduates will contribute to the discipline as leaders and exemplars in the areas of teaching, research, administration, and clinical services.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Interdisciplinary Study: Students often take elective coursework outside the department in disciplines such as biostatistics, education, and psychology.
Affiliation(s): Cooperative efforts have been established with Temple University Hospital and Lewis Katz School of Medicine, the Camden School District, MossRehab, and the School District of Philadelphia.
Areas of Specialization: Areas of concentration are Speech-Language Pathology with emphases in adult language disorders, child language and literacy development and disorders, and motor speech.
Job Prospects: Graduates are prepared for careers in universities and research institutions.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Departmental permission is required for registration in graduate classes. A maximum of 9 credits earned as a non-matriculated student may be applied toward the degree.
Financing Opportunities: Research and Teaching Assistantships may be available. Contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to inquire.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: January 5
All applicants to the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders must apply via the Centralized Application Service for Public Health (SOPHAS). The system can be accessed at https://sophas.liaisoncas.com/.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from professors, employers, or colleagues who are able to evaluate the applicant's research potential. One letter must be from a previous professor, advisor, or research supervisor.
Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Applicants must demonstrate coursework taken in statistics and probability.
Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree is not required.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree in Communication Disorders, Education, Linguistics, or Psychology is required.
Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, address your background, academic and professional goals, and how your interests fit with the program.
Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Required. Scores on the verbal and quantitative sections are expected to fall at or above the 50th percentile. Official GRE scores should be sent to SOPHAS using code 0151.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 79 (send officially to SOPHAS using the SOPHAS-specific TOEFL code 5688)
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
- Duolingo: 110
Resume: Current resume required.
Writing Sample: A writing sample that is expository in nature, e.g., a chapter of a thesis, a convention paper, and/or a paper from senior undergraduate or master's level coursework, should be submitted.
Advanced Standing: The student’s advisor recommends advanced standing to the Ph.D. Program Director based on a review of prior coursework and experience. Coursework taken as part of a degree program for which a degree has been conferred is not considered for advanced standing. The maximum number of advanced standing credits awarded is 6.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required to Earn the Degree: 45
Required Courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
CSCD 5411 | Psycholinguistics | 3 |
CSCD 5730 | Topics in Speech, Language and Hearing (2 terms) | 6 |
HRPR 5001 | Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions | 0 |
PHIL 5216 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
Research and Statistics Courses 1 | ||
EPBI 5002 | Biostatistics | 3 |
EPBI 5201 | Epidemiological Research Methods I | 3 |
EPBI 8012 | Multivariable Biostatistics | 3 |
EPBI 8212 | Grantsmanship in Health Research | 3 |
HRPR 5999 | Research Experience in Health Professions | 0 |
Statistics and Methodology Electives | ||
Select two courses from the following: 2 | 6 | |
Single Subject Research Design | ||
Structural Equation Modeling | ||
Multilev Mod in Int Res | ||
Content Area Electives | ||
Select three courses from the following: 3 | 9 | |
Written Language Development and Disorders | ||
Neurocognitive Language Disorders | ||
Teaching in Higher Education: Health Professions | ||
Teaching in Higher Education Practicum | ||
Neuromotor Science 3: Cognition and Learning | ||
Affective Neuroscience | ||
Topical Seminar in Cognitive Psychology | ||
Core Course in Cognitive Psychology | ||
Cognitive Development | ||
Research Courses | ||
CSCD 9994 | Preliminary Examination Preparation | 1 |
CSCD 9998 | Pre-Dissertation Research | 2 |
CSCD 9999 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 45 |
1 | With approvals from the mentor, Ph.D. Program Director, and department chair, students may select alternate courses to fulfill the Research and Statistics course requirement. |
2 | With approval from the Ph.D. Program Director, students may select alternate courses as Statistics and Methodology electives. |
3 | With approval from the Ph.D. Program Director, students may select alternate courses as Content Area electives. |
Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-
Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examination:
The preliminary examination is undertaken when the student has completed all other requirements for advancement to candidacy, but no later than the end of the third year of study. Specifically, students are expected to have produced at least two publishable manuscripts and completed all coursework prior to registering for the exam. Students should have successfully presented the first-year project and second-year evaluation.
The examination itself includes a written examination and an oral defense. The written examination consists of three to five questions developed by the student’s committee and approved by the Ph.D. Program Director and department chair. Students have two weeks to complete the written examination. At least one question addresses methodology and the other two are on distinct but related topics close to the student’s area of research. Upon submission of the written examination, the student orally defends the written responses in a meeting of graduate faculty. At a minimum, the student’s committee, the Ph.D. Program Director, and department chair are present. The student must pass the preliminary examination in no more than two attempts. The Doctoral Advisory Committee evaluates the exam on a pass/fail basis. All judgments are by committee consensus.
Proposal:
The preliminary examination prepares students to write a data-driven dissertation proposal, which is a prospectus with literature review and proposed methodology. When the student has successfully defended the preliminary examination and submitted an approved prospectus, the student has ascended to doctoral candidacy.
Dissertation:
The dissertation is an original study that makes a significant and publishable contribution to the field. It should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the theoretical and empirical literature in the area of investigation. It should also be of sound and rigorous methodology. Original research of quality appropriate for publication in a first-tier national journal is expected.
Graduate School guidelines for announcing the defense are followed. Notice is given through postings, email, and listserv announcements. The defense lasts two hours.
Courses
CSCD 5411. Psycholinguistics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5501. Modern Linguistics I - Syntax. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5502. Phonology I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5505. Issues in Linguistics. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5511. Bilingualism: A Lifespan Perspective. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5521. Foundations in Child Language Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 3301|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5522. Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 2209|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 3233|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 3301|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 5524. Foundations and Management of Motor Speech Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 5522|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5525. Foundations and Management in Fluency. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 3233|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5527. Foundations and Rehabilitation of Language and Cognitive Disorders in Aphasia. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 3235|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CSCD 2219|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 5528. Voice Disorders: Theory and Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 3233|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 3235|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 5529. Case Studies. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5531. Applications in Audiology. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 4301|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5532. Foundations and Management in Hearing Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 4301|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5533. Principles of Audiology. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5534. American Sign Language I. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5634. American Sign Language II. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 5534|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 5729. Language and Deafness. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 5730. Topics in Speech, Language and Hearing. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 8147. Basic Practicum in Audiology. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 5531|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 5532|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 8187. Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 4396|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 8287. Basic Practicum in Therapy Processes. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 4396|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 8601. Advanced Syntax. 3 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8721. Foundations and Management in Augmentative and Alternative Communication. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8722. Foundations and Management in Dysphagia. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 3233|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 8723. Seminar in Speech Language Hearing. 1 to 3 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 8725. Disorders of Articulation and Phonology: Special Populations. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8726. Management of Child Language Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 5521|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 8727. Written Language Development and Disorders. 2 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 5521|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 5522|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently
AND CSCD 8726|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 8728. Voice Disorders: Spec Pop. 2 Credit Hours.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8729. Neurocognitive Language Disorders. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8738. Proj in Spch Lang Hear. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8824. Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations. 2 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.
CSCD 8830. Seminar In CSD. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Class Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Classes: Graduate 0 to 17 Credits.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9087. Practicum in Hearing. 1 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9187. Advanced Practicum in Voice. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 5528|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9287. Advanced Practicum in Fluency. 1 Credit Hour.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 5525|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9387. Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Child. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 8726|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9388. Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 9387|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CSCD 9487|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9487. Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Fields of study: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
(CSCD 5527|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
AND (CSCD 8729|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently)
CSCD 9488. Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult. 3 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 9387|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently
OR CSCD 9487|Minimum Grade of B-|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9582. Independent Study - Communication Sciences. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9587. Advanced Practicum in Aphasia. 2 Credit Hours.
Field of Study Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Majors: Spch Lang Hearing Science.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Co-requisites: CSCD 5527.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 4396|Minimum Grade of C|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9980. Dissertation Seminar. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9994. Preliminary Examination Preparation. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9996. Thesis Seminar. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
CSCD 9998. Pre-Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 9994|Minimum Grade of P|May not be taken concurrently.
CSCD 9999. Dissertation Research. 1 to 6 Credit Hour.
Level Registration Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels: Graduate.
Student Attribute Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Student Attributes: Dissertation Writing Student.
Repeatability: This course may be repeated for additional credit.
Pre-requisites:
CSCD 9998|Minimum Grade of P|May not be taken concurrently.
Contacts
Program Web Address:
Department Information:
Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders
110 Weiss Hall
1701 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085
215-204-7543