speech clinician demonstrating throat technique to 5-year-old girl

Speech & Hearing Science

Promote effective communication, a human right, through research and clinical practice. Prepare for a career that improves lives.

Speech & Hearing Science PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois is a research-oriented degree that prepares students for academic research careers in the field of communication sciences and its disorders.

The PhD program is rigorous in terms of expectations but flexible in terms of prerequisites, thereby allowing students to take advantage of the wide variety of courses and research labs available at the university in order to build their own individual expertise. In addition to completing an individualized program of coursework and research experiences, students will develop the necessary skills to review research, develop research questions, design studies, present at conferences, submit papers, and teach courses. Our goal is to prepare visionary leaders in translational research to fill a variety of influential career positions in communication sciences and its disorders, including academic appointments at research-intensive universities, research institutions, public agencies, and clinical research settings.

Program Structure

The doctoral program is structured with the following major milestones:

  • Milestone 1
    Early Research Project Proposal and Early Research Project Exam
  • Milestone 2
    Qualifying Exam Proposal and Qualifying Exam
  • Milestones 3 and 4
    Dissertation Preliminary Exam and Dissertation Final Exam (Defense)

The first two to four years of the doctoral program are typically devoted to course work, including the completion of an Early Research Project (ERP), in the area of concentration selected by the student. For students entering with an M.A./M.S., they are considered Stage II status by the Graduate College, and the ERP occurs early in Stage II. For students entering the PhD program directly from a B.A./B.S. degree, they are considered Stage I status by the Graduate College, and the ERP may be undertaken and completed in Stage I or Stage II. In the middle of Stage II, students will take a Qualifying Exam. Successful completion of the Qualifying Exam provides evidence of the student's satisfactory progress toward scholarly independence and indicates the student is then qualified to begin the planning stages of a dissertation proposal. A preliminary exam on the dissertation proposal occurs at the end of Stage II and marks the transition to Stage III by the Graduate College. The doctoral program culminates with a Final Exam/Dissertation Defense, and oral examination over a written document.

 

Curriculum

Degree requirements with an approved master's or Au.D. degree

For more information about degree requirements contact the program director or refer to the university catalog.

Code Course
SHS 590
SHS 590 History of Comm Sci & Disorders

Hours: 4

SHS 592
SHS 592 Prosem Speech & Hearing Science

Hours: 2-4

SHS 594
SHS 594 PhD Early Research Project

Hours: 6-8

SHS 599
SHS 599 Thesis Research

Hours: 24

3 Statistics courses

Hours: 12

1 or 2 advanced 500-level SHS seminars

Hours: 4-8

Restrictive Electives

Hours: 8-12

Total Hours: 64

Other Requirements

  • Minimum of 96 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree or 64 credit hours beyond a master’s degree
  • Qualifying Exam Required Yes
  • Preliminary Exam Required Yes
  • Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required Yes
  • Dissertation Deposit Required Yes
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0

Degree Requirements with an approved Bachelor's Degree

For more information about degree requirements contact the program director or refer to the university catalog.

Code Course
SHS 590
SHS 590 History of Comm Sci & Disorders

Hours: 4

SHS 592
SHS 592 Prosem Speech & Hearing Science

Hours: 2-4

SHS 594
SHS 594 Ph.D. Early Research Project

Hours: 8

SHS 599
SHS 599 Thesis Research

Hours: 24

3 Courses in Statistics or related field

Hours: 12

1 or 2 advanced 500-level SHS Seminars

Hours: 4-8

Restricted Elective Hours

Hours: 40-42

Total Hours: 96

Tuition Information

For information on tuition and fee rates, visit the Office of the Registrar’s webpage.

PHD Program Admissions Information

Additional Information

Financial support through the Department, typically research or teaching assistantships, is available for a limited number of students. Assistantships are awarded first to doctoral students and are based on merit and the strategic goals of the Department. For more information on financial aid, need-based financial support may be applied for through the University Financial Aid Office.

Additional information can be found at the links below:

Student Achievement Data

Requirements for PhD in Speech and Hearing Science

Program Structure for PhD in Speech and Hearing Science

Sample Programs of Study for PhD in Speech and Hearing Science

Research Themes and Labs

Mentoring and Advising

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