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Doctor of Philosophy Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Get the training you need to become an academic researcher and scholar. Through rigorous research experience, intensive course work, and collaboration with faculty mentors, you'll gain the skills for a career as an independent researcher in communicative sciences and disorders.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

Doctor of Philosophy in Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Your Academic Experience

Careers and outcomes, doctoral funding.

We welcome students with degrees in communicative sciences and disorders as well as related fields like psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience, with a strong and demonstrated interest in CSD-based research and scholarship to apply to our program.

The goal of the PhD in Communicative Sciences and Disorders is to develop outstanding scholars trained as strong independent researchers and teachers. You will learn to perform cutting-edge research on speech, language, and swallowing in both typical and atypical populations. 

Once accepted, you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members actively pursuing both basic science questions about the nature of communication sciences and the application of these questions to clinically diverse populations. The degree offers a rigorous mentorship process pairing individual students with a primary faculty advisor to develop a tailored program of study, including a research-focused lab rotation and teaching experience, to broaden your training. Learn more about our curriculum and degree requirements .

Current doctoral students are pursuing a wide range of research topics based on their specific interest areas, such as swallowing, speech and language disorders, multilingualism, acoustic biofeedback, noninvasive brain stimulation, and neuroimaging.

This field is positioned at the border of basic human science and applied clinical science. Our doctorate trains you to be an independent investigator and educator poised to contribute to each of these areas of inquiry. 

You will be presented with the opportunity for a variety of interdisciplinary experiences and skills to enhance your research career. The structure of our degree leads you to engage in scholarly, publishable research endeavors, positioning you for academic positions in a field with a well-documented shortage of faculty candidates.

NYU Steinhardt and the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders offer all full-time PhD students a complete funding and mentoring program. The funding is designed to help PhD students undertake full-time study and research, to participate in superior academic and scholarly experiences, and to complete their studies in a timely manner.

Students in the PhD program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders receive five years of fellowship (full tuition and fees, student health insurance, and a living stipend of ~$32,000). There are also opportunities to teach in order to supplement the scholarship. 

All admitted full-time PhD students in CSD are awarded a full funding package and are assigned to a faculty mentor. There is no special application for this funding program.

More Information 

To read more, please request the latest PhD Student Handbook.

For specific research queries about the doctoral degree, please contact the faculty member whose interests most reflect your own. Learn more about  our faculty members' active research . 

Learn more about our current doctoral students .

Questions 

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Tara McAllister at [email protected] .

Communicative Sciences and Disorders

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Many Backgrounds

Biology - Education - Engineering - Linguistics - Neuroscience - Physiology - Physics - Psychology - Speech/Hearing Learn more about our people

Many Approaches

Basic & Clinical Research - Behavior Brain Imaging Physiology - Development & Aging - Molecules to Clinical Trials Learn more about our research

Common Goal

Speech - Language - Hearing - Learning Learn more about our program

PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Earn the highest level of academic achievement in the field of communication sciences and disorders through specialized study in your area of interest. Through coursework, mentored and independent research, and internships in college teaching or clinical supervision, you will prepare for leadership roles at colleges, universities, research settings, and clinical agencies.

Program Highlights

• Individualized course of study
• Multiple research experiences
• Opportunities for college teaching or clinical supervision experiences
• Program typically consists of approximately four years of full-time study, which includes two years of full-time coursework, pre-dissertation research competencies, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research

The graduate faculty in the communication sciences and disorders program are known internationally, nationally, and regionally as researchers, educators, and clinicians. All are active researchers and instructors, and all maintain active collaborations with multiple professional colleagues within and beyond the University of Georgia. The faculty are committed to the importance of evidence-based, client-centered, and outcomes-focused Ph.D. education and to the future of research and teaching in the field.

As a Ph.D. Student, you will work closely with a doctoral advisor or major professor who has aligning research interests, as well as with faculty from other programs, departments, and colleges. With your major professor and faculty advisory committee, you will develop an individualized program of study addressing your primary and related areas of focus. In addition to coursework and multiple mentored research experiences, you will have the opportunity to complete a student-teaching internship and/or serve as a mentored clinical supervisor.

While your overall course of study will vary, at a minimum, you will be expected to complete:

• 30 hours of core focus-area courses
• 12 hours of advanced statistics
• 6 hours of computer science
• 10 hours of dissertation research
• [Student Handbook (PDF)]https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jpNkUJf_9OolUgVOLZxJTfgIFh1UayYl)
• Course of Study (PDF)

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal .

How to Apply

You are eligible to apply to the Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program if you meet all of the following requirements:

• Completed a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a closely related field
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• For international students, meet the English proficiency requirement.

Complete the Online Application to the University of Georgia’s Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program

Select the Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program on your Graduate School Application. You will need to submit the following information as part of your application:

• Unofficial transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation. It is recommended that at least one recommendation is from faculty who you instructed you in a previous program of study.
• Statement of purpose. A statement of your professional experience, career goals, and research interests, not to exceed two single-spaced typed pages. In your statement, please indicate at least one professor for whom you would be interested in working with. Use the faculty bios to identify faculty whose research activities and publications align with your interests.
• Resumé/vita
• English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) Scores for international students

Given the individualized nature of a Ph.D. program, you are encouraged to contact potential faculty advisors during the admissions process.

After applications are reviewed, finalists will be invited to complete interviews with department faculty.

Apply to the Graduate School

Deadline To Apply

If you will need funding from the department or from the university, you must apply by January 1 to be considered for the following Fall semester. Applications from students who do not wish to be considered for department or university funding are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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Additional Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.

Meet the Faculty

Most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance. A close working relationship with your advisor is paramount to progressing through your program of study.

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates   Browse Financial Aid

Our Ph.D. experience gives you the opportunity to experience life in an academic setting. Through full-time study, research and clinical work, you will work closely with faculty and leave with the knowledge and skills to shape your discipline and be a leader in your profession.

See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.

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Useful Links

• Student Handbooks

CMSD Strategic Plan

Executive Summary: The Communication Sciences and Disorders Program has a five-year strategic plan focused on continuous improvement of student outcomes so that our graduates are prepared for entry level employment in the field of speech language pathology, are eligible for state and national certification, and can contribute to the scientific and clinical knowledge base of the disciplines and the profession.

• CMSD Strategic Plan (PDF)

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PhD Communication Disorders / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

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We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK, in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Before applying you must:

• Choose a programme or find a project you want to apply for and check you’re eligible.
• Speak to the listed supervisor about your suitability for their project or programme.
• Understand how your project is funded and, if it is self-funded, consider how you plan on funding it.
• Read our ‘How to apply’ page to find out more and ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out more.

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Undertake research in a field you’re passionate about and join a project addressing leading challenges in the area while working with some of Europe's leading researchers and academics.
• Choose to research at a university ranked and 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings, 2025) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (THE Impact Rankings, 2024), where 93% of research activity is ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Impact Framework, 2021)
• Access some of the best research facilities in the world at the University, through our industry partners, and at hospitals around Greater Manchester.
• Benefit from dedicated support throughout your PhD journey, from pre-application to graduation and everything in between, through our Doctoral Academy
• Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme and progress into a career in research, academia or industry.

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £5,750, Medium £8,625, High £11,750 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,750, Medium £17,500, High £20,755
• PhD (full-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £11,500, Medium £17,500, High £23,500 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £29,500, Medium £35,000, High £41,500
• PhD (part-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): Standard £TBC, Low £5,750, Medium £8,625, High £11,750 International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £13,500, Low £14,750, Medium £17,500, High £20,755

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Speech and Hearing

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