Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Wayne State's Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to prepare students for careers in academic, research and/or advanced clinical practice settings within communication sciences and disorders.
We seek highly motivated students with research interests related to one or more of the following areas: child language and literacy, acquired cognitive-linguistic impairments in adults, speech perception and production, speech and language development in infants, stuttering, treatment of speech and language impairments, neuroimaging of brain function and cross-linguistic analyses. Our department at Wayne State University is located near a large array of clinical and research facilities, including several major metropolitan health centers (DMC, Henry Ford Health System).
New Ph.D. students begin in the fall semester and must complete a seminar specifically designed for incoming students. Admission to the Ph.D. program is based on successful completion of the M.A. or M.S. degree, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and GRE scores. Learn more: The PhD Project: Is a PhD Right For You?
About the program
Applicants to the Ph.D. program have a variety of academic backgrounds, including communication science, linguistics, psychology, speech technology, anthropology and biology. In general, any academic background that emphasizes some aspect of speech, language or hearing can prepare you for a research degree in communication sciences and disorders. Important: The Ph.D. program at Wayne State University does not provide a pathway to clinical licensure or certification.
Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders requirements
The communication sciences and disorders Ph.D. degree requires students to satisfy the graduate program requirements and overall communication sciences and disorders program requirements.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program have a variety of academic backgrounds, including communication science, linguistics, psychology, speech technology, anthropology and biology. In general, any academic background that emphasizes some aspect of speech, language or hearing can prepare you for a research degree in communication sciences and disorders. Important: The Ph.D. program at Wayne State University does not provide a pathway to clinical licensure or certification.
Coursework and research
While the M.A.-SLP and Au.D. degrees are entry-level clinical training programs, the Ph.D. degree is a research degree. The intent of the Ph.D. is to prepare individuals to conduct original research in an area related to speech-language pathology, audiology and/or other areas related to normal and disordered speech, language and hearing.
Coursework and research experiences in the Ph.D. program are highly individualized. You will work with your advisor and committee members to choose courses that prepare you for your dissertation. All students complete coursework in statistics as well as seminars on pedagogy and research in the department. In addition, students are encouraged to work in more than one research laboratory during their Ph.D. experience.
Learn more:
- ASHA: Considering and Pursuing a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- The PhD Project: Frequently asked questions
Career insights
A degree in communication sciences and disorders can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Disability services coordinator | $75,000 |
| Human factors specialist | $99,000 |
| Occupational therapist | $96,000 |
| Policy analyst for regulations in speech and hearing health | $132,000 |
| Rehabilitation counselor | $44,040 |
| Special education teacher | $67,000 |
| Speech-language pathology assistants | $38,000 |
| Speech-language researcher | $100,000 |
| Speech recognition developer | $145,000 |
| University professor in communication sciences | $73,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Contact
Students interested in applying for this program should contact the Ph.D. program coordinator, Dr. Margaret Greenwald.
In your message, please provide your preferred contact method and information on when to reach you. The coordinator will speak with you about the program and your research interests and will arrange for you to meet with a faculty member with expertise in your area of interest. If your research interests overlap with the research conducted in our department, you will be asked to submit additional application materials.
Non-discrimination policy
Wayne State University (WSU) is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all of its operations, employment status, educational programs and related activities. As part of WSU, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders adheres to this same policy for faculty and students and clients of the department's clinics. Students, faculty, staff and persons served in the department's clinics are treated in a nondiscriminatory manner that is, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship or status as a covered veteran.