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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Communication Sciences and Disorders: Language Acquisition

Offered by: Commun Sciences & Disorders     Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Requirements

This unique interdisciplinary program focuses on the scientific exploration of language acquisition by different kinds of learners in diverse contexts. Students in the Language Acquisition Program are introduced to theoretical and methodological issues on language acquisition from the perspectives of cognitive neuroscience, theoretical linguistics, psycholinguistics, education, communication sciences and disorders, and neuropsychology.
For details go to: www.psych.mcgill.ca/lap.html.

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 (12 credits)

For both PhD 1 and PhD 2:

  • LING 710 Language Acquisition Issues 2 (2 credits)

    Offered by: Linguistics (Faculty of Arts)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Linguistics : Examination and discussion of the leterature on a selected topic in language acquisition.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • PSYC 709 Language Acquisition Issues 1 (2 credits)

    Offered by: Psychology (Faculty of Science)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Psychology : Advanced area seminar on a topic in language acquisition issues.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • SCSD 652 Advanced Research Seminar 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Commun Sciences & Disorders (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Communication Sci & Disorders : Pro seminar in which current research topics in communication disorders will be discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Nadig, Aparna; Guesgen, Mirjam (Fall)

    • This course may be taken as an advanced course for M.Sc. students.

  • SCSD 653 Advanced Research Seminar 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Commun Sciences & Disorders (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Communication Sci & Disorders : Pro seminar in which current research topics in communication disorders will be discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

    Instructors: Nadig, Aparna; Guesgen, Mirjam (Fall)

    • This course may be taken as an advanced course for M.Sc. students.

  • SCSD 701 Doctoral Comprehensive

    Offered by: Commun Sciences & Disorders (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    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.

  • SCSD 712 Language Acquisition Issues 4 (2 credits)

    Offered by: Commun Sciences & Disorders (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    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

    Instructors: Nadig, Aparna (Fall)

Complementary Courses (9 or 26 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.

At least 3 credits at the 500 level or higher in language acquisition courses that have been approved by the Director of the Language Acquisition Program. For a pre-approved list go to: https://www.mcgill.ca/scsd/programs/rt/phd/language-acquisition-courses.

For PhD 1 students, 0-2 credits from the following:

  • EDPE 713 Language Acquisition Issues 5 (2 credits)

    Offered by: Educational&Counselling Psych (Faculty of Education)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Ed Psych & Couns (Psychology) : Seminar on language science controversies and their associating literature, and practical implications in education and learning in general.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

  • EDSL 711 Language Acquisition Issues 3 (2 credits)

    Offered by: Integrated Studies in Ed (Faculty of Education)

    Administered by: Graduate Studies

    Overview

    Education in Second Languages : Review of language acquisition issues.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

In addition to the above, students entering at PhD 1 must take the following 15 credits:

Plus 6 credits, of graduate-level courses pre-approved by the supervisor and the graduate program director.

Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences—2024-2025 (last updated Apr. 22, 2024) (disclaimer)
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