Communication Disorders, PhD

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The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health and Human Services offers the Ph.D. degree with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology. The doctoral program in Communication Disorders is designed to develop the scientific and cognitive skills needed to identify and independently study important questions concerning human communication. In pursuit of these goals, students engage actively in research and teaching. The doctoral program emphasizes a student-centered approach to doctoral education. Students participate in research throughout their program and are closely supervised in their research and teaching experiences. The curriculum is individually designed to meet students’ educational needs and professional goals.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, students in the Communication Sciences & Disorders program are expected to be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to develop basic and analytical knowledge in the following: a) sciences of normal speech, language and voice. b) Disorders of speech, language and voice. c) Related disciplines providing insight into human communication
Develop appropriate research and technical skills in instrumentation and research methodologies
Communicate technical information effectively, via oral and written means
Design and independently investigate critical questions in the specialty topic area(s) for which the student is being trained.

Admission Requirements

The deadline to apply for admission is December 15thfor consideration for Fall semester. Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, all required documents must be submitted on or prior to the deadline.

Additional Documents required:

Before submitting your application, contact graduate coordinator AND potential advisors. Faculty information can be found at https://www.bgsu.edu/health-and-human-services/programs/department-of-communication-sciences-and-disorders/faculty-and-staff.html
Three Letters of Recommendation - List three persons acquainted with your academic experiences and their contact information.
Resume - Detailing academic and vocational experiences and awards.
Statement of Purpose - Please tell the Admissions Committee your reasons for wanting to study at Bowling Green State University, how you selected Communication Sciences and Disorders as your field of study, and your strengths and weaknesses as a student. Please also discuss your reasons for seeking the PhD program, research interest area(s), any research/teaching experiences you have had, and your specific career goals. Note that this is the only required personal letter of application.
Writing Sample - Evidence of research experience and writing ability (e.g. copy of a thesis, substantial project, or term paper).

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement.

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores. Also, international students may be requested to provide the Department with a recorded speech sample.

Funding

To be considered for funding the complete application must be submitted on or before December 15th. The CDIS departmental website: http://www.bgsu.edu/health-and-human-services/programs/department-of-communication-sciences-and-disorders/graduate-program/doctoral-program/doctoral-applications.html

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (21 credits)

Pedagogy & Professional Issues

Research Methodology, Advanced Courses (9 credits)

Select from: EDFI 7510 , EDFI 7520 , PSYC 6670 , PSYC 6680 , or other with advisor approval

Mentored Research Experience. Register each semester until registration for Preliminary Exams

CDIS 7800 - Seminar in Communication Disorders

Departmental Courses (12 credits)

Preliminary Exams Course

CDIS 7980 - Readings for Preliminary Examination

Electives (9 credits)

Students are required to take a minimum of 9 credits outside of the department. Advisor approval required.

Other Requirements

First Research Project - Student will be mentored in an independent research experience by a faculty member.
Proseminar - Attendance is required at weekly presentations of research. Student must present at least once per academic year.
Teaching Experiences - Each student will have a minimum of one semester of mentored teaching and one semester of independent teaching, and attend at lest one CFE event annually.

Culminating Experience (16 credits)

CDIS 7990 - Dissertation Research

Minimum Total Credits (60 credits, post-masters)

Additional Requirements

Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Maximum of 10 credits of 5000-level coursework may be counted toward degree requirements
Preliminary Examination or Project
Minimum of 16 credits of dissertation research (maximum of 30 credits of dissertation research are applicable to degree requirements)
Dissertation Defense and Publication of Manuscript on OhioLINK
All requirements must be completed within eight years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.