Program Requirements
The Ph.D. program provides a foundation for creative research and scientific problem-solving in communication sciences (speech, language, hearing, voice) in typical and atypical populations. The program structure is flexible to encourage students to customize their program through the selection of coursework, seminars, comprehensive topics, research experiences, and thesis topic. The School's doctoral program follows a mentor model and students work closely with faculty supervisors who have international reputations in their respective areas.
Students who have completed a Master’s degree with research thesis in Communication Sciences and Disorders or a related area are admitted at level PhD 2. High-caliber students who have not completed a research thesis at the Master’s level can enter the Qualifying Year Program (admitted at level PhD 1), which includes extra requirements (coursework and a research project) at the onset of the program.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (6 credits)
For both PhD 1 and PhD 2:
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SCSD 652 Advanced Research Seminar 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : Pro seminar in which current research topics in communication disorders will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Pell, Marc D (Winter)
This course may be taken as an advanced course for M.Sc. students.
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SCSD 653 Advanced Research Seminar 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : Pro seminar in which current research topics in communication disorders will be discussed.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Pell, Marc D (Winter)
This course may be taken as an advanced course for M.Sc. students.
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SCSD 701 Doctoral Comprehensive
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Complementary Courses (6 or 21 credits)
For both PhD 1 and PhD 2: 6 credits of statistics courses at the 500 level or higher, pre-approved by the supervisor and the graduate program director.
In addition to the above, students entering at PhD 1 must take the following 15 credits:
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SCSD 654 Advanced Research Seminar 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : Current research topics in communication sciences and disorders.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Pell, Marc D (Winter)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
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SCSD 685 Research Project 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : Supervised research project.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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SCSD 686 Research Project 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Communication Sci & Disorders : Supervised research project.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Plus 6 credits, of graduate-level courses, pre-approved by the supervisor and the graduate program director.
