PhD in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology
The Doctoral Program in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology prepares professionals for leadership positions in the field. The resources of BU and the surrounding area are vast; doctoral students have the opportunity to take courses in psychology, linguistics, medicine, engineering, rehabilitation, education, and public health in the University’s various schools and colleges. Students can also benefit from courses at other universities in the area. Each program is individualized and combines academic work with career development and original research.
The doctoral program in speech-language pathology offers a research track to students who may have previously obtained clinical certification. For post-baccalaureate entrants, clinical training is included in the combined MS/PhD program in speech-language pathology. The graduate program in speech-language pathology is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. A research track in audiology prepares students for academic and research careers.
Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology
A master’s degree or an AuD from an accredited college or university is required for admission. Applicants must show evidence of high academic achievement in their previous coursework, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (institution code 3028), and at least three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability. The admissions committee considers an applicant’s experience, professional certification, and personal statement of goals in its selection process. To ensure that the student will have a suitable mentor, candidates are strongly encouraged to meet with a research faculty member about their research interests prior to submitting an application. A personal interview by the doctoral program faculty is usually required.
Application Deadline
January 15 is the recommended date for submission of all application materials for fall admission with consideration for graduate assistantships; December 1 is recommended for spring admission.
Degree Requirements
Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology
For students entering with a post-master’s or AuD degree, a minimum of 48 credits in graduate-level coursework (700 level or above), a preliminary project, qualifying project, and a dissertation are required. Up to twelve credits of coursework below the 700 level may be allowed with the approval of the student’s doctoral planning committee.
Students entering post-baccalaureate, who are interested in speech-language studies and in obtaining clinical certification, are eligible for the combined MS/PhD program in speech-language pathology.
All candidates for the doctoral degree must demonstrate both content area expertise and basic research skills.
Coursework
Students must complete at least one year of full-time study prior to the preliminary project and beginning the dissertation.
Core courses (24 credits) are chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor.
Research design courses (8 credits) must include advanced statistics and/or research methods.
Research
Directed research (6 credits) must be completed before the qualifying project begins. The student and research mentor will devise a suitable project to include discussion of crucial experimental design issues, as well as focused training in the specific methodologies of the chosen content area. Further topics will include data analysis and interpretation of statistical results with application to models and follow-up studies.
Qualifying project (2 credits) The student will write a paper that meets the standards for peer-reviewed journals in the speech, language, and hearing sciences. The paper may be a comprehensive literature review or may incorporate research findings. The topic and scope are subject to the approval of the student’s advisory committee. The qualifying project must be distinct from the dissertation.
Dissertation research (8 credits) Completion of this requirement includes formulation of a research question, collection and analysis of data, and preparation of a written document that is acceptable to the committee members, as well as a final oral defense. The initial portion of the dissertation defense is open to the BU Sargent College community.
All doctoral candidates must fulfill the residency requirement and submit an acceptable doctoral dissertation. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of beginning the doctoral program (seven years for post-baccalaureate entrants).
Residency Requirement
A minimum of one academic year of residency is required for the doctoral programs in speech- language pathology and audiology. Residence is defined as full-time study via coursework and/or research activities, which can be achieved with registration for a minimum of 8–12 credit hours each semester (including dissertation credits) for two consecutive semesters. Full-time status can be demonstrated by either a combination of coursework and appointments to research and/or teaching assistantships (8 credits) or a full-time course load (12 or more credits).
For the combined MS/PhD program, the first two years of the program (primarily clinical training) cannot be used to satisfy the residency requirement.
The student must be registered during each fall and spring semester while completing the requirements for the degree. To comply with this requirement, a doctoral candidate should become familiar with the University’s reduced tuition provisions for continuing students. Doctoral programs must be completed within five years of initial matriculation (seven years for post-baccalaureate entrants).
Coursework Grade Requirements
Candidates must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No more than 8 credits of C or C+ work will be accepted toward the degree, and the acceptability of any C or C+ work in required courses is subject to program faculty approval. Continued matriculation in the doctoral program is contingent upon the maintenance of the minimum 3.0 grade point average.
