DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program prepares students to be scholar-scientists in research and teaching. Individualized doctoral programs of study, mentoring by nationally recognized faculty, and specialized practica are provided to help students develop optimal research and teaching skills.

The goal of the CSD doctorate is for the student to acquire the knowledge and skills that lead to scholarly research, expertise in teaching, and professional leadership. To earn the PhD, students need to acquire a substantial mastery of scientific knowledge and also demonstrate the ability to use that knowledge independently and creatively.

Academic Requirements

• Evidence of research experience (e.g., thesis, research publication) prior to admission or completion of a research project during the first year of the doctoral program.
• Tool Subjects (12 credit hours): Research Design (min. 3 ch), Statistics (min. 6 ch; 9 recommended), Qualitative Research Methods, Grant Writing, Technology/Instrumentation
• Minimum of 65 hours beyond the masters degree or 95 hours beyond the bachelors degree
• Courses must be approved by the student's advisor and plan of study committee
• At least 9 hours must be at the 900 level
• No more than 15 hours of advanced graduate level coursework may be transferred from another university

Coursework

• Professional Seminar - CSD 995 (4-6 ch)
• University Teaching Seminar - CSD 996 (2 ch)
• Specialized Practica - CSD 935 (min. 9 ch)
  • Teaching (min. 3 ch)
  • Research (min. 3 ch)
  • Treatment
  • Supervision
  • Administration
• Advanced Seminars/Foundation Classes/Special Topics (min. 30 ch)
  • Courses may be taken in areas involving:
    Language, Literacy, Phonology, Fluency, Neurogenics, Neurolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Sociolinguistics, Neuropsychology, Cognitive Foundations, Memory, Learning Theory, Auditory Processing, Auditory Physiology, Speech Perception, Counseling, Cultural/Linguistic Diversity, University Clinical Supervision, & Professional Issues, as well as other relevant advanced courses in other departments
• Dissertation - CSD 999 (12-18 ch)

Advising & Doctoral Faculty Committees

A primary advisor, assigned by the doctoral coordinator at the time the student is admitted to the doctoral program, assists the student in completing initial tasks such as enrolling in classes and selecting committee members. This faculty member may continue to serve as the advisor for either or both of the student's committees (or another faculty member may be selected).

Doctoral Committees consist of a minimum of five members (at least three must be from CSD). One faculty member from another department serves as the Graduate School representative. At least four members must have full graduate faculty standing.

The primary responsibilities of the Advisory Committee include helping the student develop the Plan of Study and administering and evaluating the Qualifying Examination, which has both written and oral components. The primary responsibilities of the Dissertation Committee include guiding the student during the various phases from the research design to the final dissertation. The Dissertation Director (or at least one co-director) must have full dissertation chairing status (approved by the Doctoral Subcouncil of the Graduate School).

Plan of Study (POS)

The POS, which includes a listing of doctoral coursework and tools, is an official document that must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee and by the Graduate School. Typically the POS (original with signatures and two copies) is submitted to the Graduate School within 1 month after completing 12 credit hours.

A copy of the proposed POS and a current professional resume are distributed to committee members 1 week prior to the meeting. Committee members review proposed coursework and timelines and make recommendations as needed to strengthen the student's Plan. The signed POS serves as an agreement for the student, the Department, and the Graduate School. Changes to the POS (i.e., deletions, substitutions) must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee as well as the Graduate School.

Qualifying Examination

The Qualifying Examination is viewed as an opportunity to: (a) demonstrate mastery of knowledge and integration of information in the student's area(s) of expertise in communication sciences and disorders and related or supplemental areas and (b) provide evidence of readiness to conduct doctoral research. Typically this examination is completed during the term that the student completes the academic and tool requirements.

Prior to the examination, the student meets with each member of the Advisory Committee to establish the parameters for each topic area and to discuss the number and scope of questions to be written. The written examination consists of two components: (a) one or two field-based papers and (b) an "in house" closed session (8 to 12 hours written within a 3-day period). The field-based question(s) are developed by CDS department members. The student is allowed 4 weeks for each field-based question. If the student has one field-based question, the length of time for the closed session is 12 hours. If the student has two field-based questions, the closed session is for 8 hours. Typically the student writes the closed-session answers in a departmentally approved location approximately 2 weeks after completion of the field-based paper(s).

The Qualifying Examination is evaluated by the Advisory Committee, with the student's advisor(s) serving as chair. If the consensus is that the written components are satisfactory, the oral portion of the Qualifying Examination is scheduled approximately 1 week later. At this time, the student has the opportunity to clarify aspects related to the written answers and to answer questions from committee members.

Consistent with the Graduate School policy, the student passes the Qualifying Examination if at least three members (of a 5-person committee) vote positively. In the event of failure, the Advisory Committee establishes guidelines for one additional examination.

Advancement to Candidacy

Following successful completion of the Qualifying Examination, the Graduate School is notified, and the doctoral student becomes a candidate for the PhD. The student must be enrolled continuously (every semester, including the term that the dissertation is completed) for a minimum of 2 credit hours of Dissertation (CSD 999).

Prospectus
A written prospectus (essentially the first three chapters of the dissertation) is submitted to the Dissertation Committee members at least 1 week prior to the meeting to discuss the research design. The prospectus includes: (a) the problem/need for the proposed research, (b) purpose of the investigation, (c) review of relevant literature, (d) proposed method, (e) pilot study results (if applicable), (f) references, and (g) appendixes. An approval form with signatures is submitted to the Graduate School following the prospectus meeting.

Dissertation
Resources for the dissertation format include The Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations (available from the WSU University Bookstore) and the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. The first three chapters (from the Prospectus) are updated to include any relevant research results that have become available in the literature since the prospectus meeting. The Method chapter provides additional specific information about the study. Two additional chapters (Results; Summary) and an Abstract (not to exceed one page) are included in the dissertation. Appendixes also are added to include specific procedural information and raw data from the investigation. Deadlines for obtaining approval of the dissertation format and for its electronic submission are available from the Graduate School for each term.

Presentation & Oral Defense
At least 1 week prior to the final Oral Defense, the completed dissertation must be presented to the Dissertation Committee members. A formal presentation for members of the university community is held on the day of the dissertation defense, typically prior to the Oral Defense. The Doctoral Dissertation committee members evaluate the form and overall content of the dissertation. The student passes if at least three members (of a 5-person committee) vote positively. The Dissertation Committee completes the Dissertation Form and forwards it the Graduate School indicating the acceptability of the Dissertation. The dissertation defense should occur no later than 6 years after the first semester of enrollment in the doctoral program.

Appeal Process
If a student elects to appeal any committee decision, the first level of appeal must be in writing to the CSD Doctoral Committee. Members of this committee will determine whether established procedures have been followed. Following the review and decision by the department doctoral committee, the student may pursue the appeal process available through the Graduate School and the University.