Communication Science and Disorders, PhD

Program Requirements

A minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree level is needed for the PhD degree in communication science and disorders at the University of Pittsburgh. For further detail on allowable credits, see Credit Requirements under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study.

All CSD PhD students are required to take CSD 3048 - Intro to PhD Studies, CSD 3049 - PH.D. Seminar in Audiology, and CSD 3479 - Research Seminar in Speech and Language Pathology. 

CSD PhD students also take a minimum of 9 credits of coursework in statistics and experimental design and 6 credits of PhD research practicum. In each semester, until they enter full-time dissertation status, PhD students are required to attend the departmental  PHD Proseminar (CSD 3060), to participate in professional development sessions, attend invited colloquium talks, and present their own research. Students also have the opportunity to take elective courses outside of CSD, such as courses in teaching and grant preparation, and to complete teaching practica.

Four formal degree requirements must be satisfied before a student initiates PhD dissertation work:

1. In the first semester of study, students, with the help of their major advisers, develop a proposed Plan of Study and detailed Individual Development Plan (IDP) that specifies their background, goals, and tentative plans for their program of study. Students schedule a Plan of Study meeting with a faculty committee, to review this document and their plans (see Major Adviser and Advising Committees, below).
2. Annually, after the initial plan of study meeting, the student must convene an annual review meeting, in which their Plan of Study and progress will be reviewed. 
3. The student must complete a pre-dissertation research project during the first year, culminating in a manuscript resulting from a research practicum experience. This project must be completed prior to initiating the comprehensive examination.
4. The student must pass a comprehensive examination, to be conpleted within one semester. It will consist of a substantive written deliverable and an open-ended oral examination. Students on provisional or special status, or on probation, are not eligible to take the comprehensive exam.

Students must then successfully complete both the written dissertation overview (prospectus document) and oral examination of their prospectus. After the prospectus is passed, students file an application for admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. See below and also Admission to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in this bulletin for details.

Major Advisor and Advising Committees

Students admitted to the PhD program are assigned a major adviser in their main area of specialization. The adviser is primarily responsible for providing assistance and advice to the student throughout all facets of the PhD program, and typically serves as the chair of the Plan of Study, Comprehensive Examination, and Dissertation Committees. Either PhD students or their advisers may initiate a change of adviser, but no student may remain in the program without an adviser.

The student, upon consultation with the major adviser, secures the agreement of at least two other departmental faculty members with graduate faculty status to serve with the adviser on the student’s Plan of Study Committee. This committee initially convenes to review and make recommendations about the student’s Plan of Study. Thereafter, the committee meets annually with the student to review and make recommendations about the student’s progress in the PhD program. Note: The plan of study committee may, but need not be, the student’s comprehensive examination or dissertation committee. 

See Doctoral Committee under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Degrees for an overview of the dissertation committee’s makeup and responsibilities.

Overview or Prospectus Meeting

See Overview or Prospectus Meeting under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study for the regulations pertaining to this meeting and then read the following information that is specific to the PhD program in Communication Science and Disorders. After securing the adviser’s approval, each PhD student must submit a written dissertation proposal to the dissertation committee at least two weeks prior to a formal overview meeting with that committee. (See Dissertation and Abstract section for details on the characteristics of an appropriate dissertation.)

Final Oral Examination

See Final Oral Examination under Regulations Pertaining to Doctoral Study and then note the following additional program-specific information. After securing the adviser’s approval, the student submits copies of the complete document to the dissertation committee at least two weeks prior to the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

PhD Curriculum

For the CSD PhD degree, a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree is needed. 

All CSD PhD students are required to take CSD 3048 Intro to PhD Studies, and 3 (or more) credits of CSD 3479 PhD Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology and/or CSD 3049 PhD Seminar in Audiology. CSD 3050/3480 Translational Challenges in CSD will be offered every two years and can also serve to meet this requirement. CSD PhD students are required to take a minimum of 8 credits of coursework in statistics, methods, and experimental design. Three-6 credits of CSD 3971 Research Practicum are also required, and this registration takes place while the student is working on their first-year project. In each semester, until they enter full-time dissertation status, PhD students are required to attend the departmental CSD 3060 Proseminar (1 credit per semester, 4 credits total) to participate in professional development sessions, attend invited colloquium talks, and present their own research. All PhD students are required to perform two, 3-credit lab rotations with mentors other than their major advisor. These rotations can take place in or outside the CSD department. A 3-credit grant writing course administered by SHRS is also required. The grant writing course must be taken for 2 credits in the fall semester and 1 credit in the spring semester for a total of 3 credits (both parts of the grant writing course are required for a final grade). Six to 9 credits of elective courses will be selected by the student and their major advisor. Elective courses can focus on the major area of study or in professional development, such as teaching practica. Comprehensive exams and prospectus preparation are also required 3-credit registrations.

Otherwise, coursework and other experiences are individually tailored for each student, in consultation with the student’s adviser and the adviser-chaired Plan of Study committee.

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• CSD 3048 - INTRODUCTION TO PHD STUDIES
• CSD 3049 - PH.D. SEMINAR IN AUDIOLOGY
• CSD 3479 - RESEARCH SEMINAR IN SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
• CSD 3060 - PHD PROSEMINAR
• CSD 3050 - TRANSLATION CHALLENGES IN CSD
• CSD 3971 - RESEARCH PRACTICUM FOR PHD STUDENTS
• CSD 2972 - EXAMINATION
• CSD 3000 - DISSERTATION RESEARCH PHD DEGREE