If you want to make a remarkable positive impact in the lives of people suffering from speech-language disorders, foster effective communication, and bridge the gap between science and compassion, a Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology, abbreviated SLPD, could be the right choice for you. These rigorous doctoral programs are designed to be completed by graduates of masters in speech-language pathology programs and position individuals for advanced clinical practice within the field or research.

There are generally two types of doctoral-level programs within speech-language pathology: clinically focused programs and Ph.D. programs. Clinical programs take approximately two years to complete and differ from Ph.D. programs in that graduates focus specifically on the clinical aspect of speech-language pathologies, while Ph.D. students focus more on research.

We have gathered some of the best doctoral (Ph.D.) programs in speech-language pathology that offer quality education and training for speech-language pathologists required to excel in the blooming domain of communication disorders.

Clinical Doctor of Speech Pathology Programs (SLPD)

Northwestern University -Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) Program 

Due to an ever-growing need for speech-language pathologists, Northwestern University has launched a hybrid 2-year doctoral program in speech-language pathology. The hallmarks of this program are leadership, organizational behavior, policy, operations, and educational supervision. This practically designed program requires 16-course registrations incorporating 12 credit and four non-credit unit registrations. The curriculum includes culminating projects and 35 hours of clinical specialization in multiple settings that help students meet their goals. 

As a hybrid curricular model, the cohort will meet on campus three times during the course, with each visit lasting three days to develop meaningful relations with fellows and faculty. The SLPD program has the support of the School of Communication IT staff for a smooth experience for students. The prerequisites include an accredited master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC). Applicants must hold a three-year (cumulative) employment experience as an SLP to enroll in this program. The international applicants require a minimum score of 100 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The University of Kansas -Clinical Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology 

The University of Kansas presents a noteworthy doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology degree program for post-master’s aspirants in communication disorders. This program can reach completion in 18 months as a full-time student that requires 10–14 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters or as a part-time student. This program, based on two plans of study, incorporates primary and secondary concentration areas. 

The first study plan of 34 hours includes adult neurodegenerative disease and mental health in primary and secondary concentrations, respectively; however, the second study plan includes 33 hours of clinical supervision and leadership in primary concentration and prelinguistic and early communication in secondary concentration. The degree requirements include a minimum of 3 GPAs in the course work and the completion of 33 credit hours with the capstone project. Enrolled students have to present proof of a current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence and have a strong command of the English language. 

Loma Linda University -Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology Program 

The Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at Loma Linda University is a 3-year program divided into two domains of research and content. Students must take two classes a quarter for 9 to 11 quarters and complete their capstone project with a manuscript for submission in a journal. The program allows aspirants to gain expertise in various topics of speech-language pathology through evidence-based learning. As a graduate of this program, you can work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing care facilities as a senior clinician and researcher. 

Through its flexible online academic format, the program helps clinicians upgrade their knowledge and skills in the field of communication disorders. The prerequisites are a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Speech-Language Pathology, a minimum GPA of 3, current clinical certification (CCC), official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate courses, three letters of reference, a written statement, and a virtual interview. The university also provides financial aid to deserving students each year.

Nova Southeastern University -Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP.D.) Program

If you strive to make a vast impact in the field of speech-language pathology, the doctorate program at Nova Southeastern University aims to provide you with diverse experiences. This hybrid 53-credit-hour program is the first online program in speech-language pathology that engages students in different course activities. This program requires second-semester students to attend a week-long SLP.D. research program in Florida as a degree requirement. 

Research and ethical decision-making models will help you foster your knowledge and skills and apply them. This program is an amalgam of online study with some on-campus presence, making it ideal for aspirants to balance their careers and families. The SLP.D. program starts every year in August, and students can attend summer residency with clinicians from other doctoral programs. The core courses require 26 credits in addition to 12 research credits and 12 credits in the applied dissertation. Aspirants must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in all required courses for graduation. 

Rocky Mountain University -Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology Program

Rocky Mountain University has designed a Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for working professionals aiming to evolve as clinicians, clinical researchers, and leaders. This 40-credit program spreads over seven semesters based on limited residency and online-only models that provide the students with a flexible environment to continue working from home or on campus. The capstone emphasizes scientific principles related to clinical problems in speech-language pathology.

The curriculum incorporates core and speech-language pathology courses focusing on research methods, language pathology, supervision, and evidence-based SLP practice. As an online program student, you can complete your coursework mostly at home, except for one day of on-campus presence. At the same time, in the limited residency option, you have to visit campus three times throughout the program. You can enroll in this program either in May (summer) or August (fall), depending on your choice. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be able to demonstrate and apply evidence-based practices and policy strategies in the area of clinical research as well as collaborate with interprofessional teams.

MGH Institute of Health Professionals -Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology Program 

The Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program at MGH Institute of Health Professionals incorporates eight 3-credit core courses, two 3-credit electives, and five capstone project-specific courses. This only clinical doctorate program in SLP in New England prepares aspirants to assume advanced professional roles in speech-language pathology by fostering leadership skills and clinical practice in students. Flexible learning opportunities provided through online learning platforms and the availability of course content in video, written, and auditory modes help all students expand their skills. 

The CSD faculty at MGH Institute includes highly qualified researchers practicing in clinical care centers to provide the best patient care. The university helps students collaborate with individuals of other health professions and seek guidance from mentors from different institutes. This program also focuses on justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion for clients. The graduates of this program can take on roles as clinical educators, master clinicians, and administrators in different schools and hospitals.

Ph.D.’s in Speech Pathology Programs

Kent State University -Ph.D. Program in Communication Sciences & Disorders 

Kent State University offers aspirants a highly flexible Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders that meets their needs in basic and clinical research. This research-intensive degree curates 75 credit hours based on a mentor training model that allows students to identify their interests and choose their mentors accordingly. 

The curriculum is designed for individual students and the doctoral committee and includes electives, statistics, areas of study, and dissertation courses. As a part of this program, you can apply as a full-time or part-time Ph.D. student but an assistantship is offered only to full-time enrolled students. The requirements to enroll in this course include a Master’s degree from an accredited college, a minimum GPA of 3, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a goal statement. The best part of the program lies in the fact that there is no requirement for GRE scores for admission. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be able to gain licensure in Ohio, evaluate and implement individual and collaborative research, and teach within a clinical context.

University of North Carolina -Ph.D. Program in Speech and Hearing Sciences 

The University of North Carolina provides vast opportunities to individuals eager to learn and contribute to the knowledge base in speech, language, and hearing sciences through its Ph.D. Program. Each student must complete 48 semester hours in 4 years with a dissertation project. The length of the program can vary according to each student’s needs and interests. The Ph.D. program educates and recruits individuals through clinical research practices and mentoring experiences to polish their skills.

Research participation is at the core of the program and each student must conduct it under the mentorship of a faculty member. Numerous teaching opportunities are available to students through courses and workshops. The residency requirements of this program include completion of four full semesters, either as a full-time or part-time student and two of the four semesters must not be less than six credit hours on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Wayne State University -Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders 

Located close to major metropolitan health centers, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University offers a Ph.D. program to highly motivated students in areas of speech-language pathology. This program begins in the fall semester and focuses on speech production, language development, cognitive-linguistic impairments, and stuttering issues in children and adults.

This research degree intends to prepare individuals to conduct research in the area of speech-language pathology or audiology. Once you enroll in this program, you can choose courses by working with your advisor and committee members. Students are also encouraged to work in research laboratories during their course. The nondiscrimination policy of Wayne State University provides equal opportunities to all its students and faculty members. To enroll in this program, you can visit the official website of Wayne State University.

James Madison University -Ph.D. Program in Communication Sciences & Disorders 

James Madison University embarks on an ambitious journey to transform the lives of individuals through its mentored study Ph.D. program in the area of communication sciences and disorders. This program emphasizes refining critical thinking skills among students and provides them with an intellectual environment for conducting research. The prospective students can learn research tools and strategies and design experimental research through numerous doctoral-level seminars held within and outside their areas of study. 

The Brown Bag seminar allows faculty and doctoral students to interact weekly with each other, discuss new ideas, and present their work. The program highlights the mechanisms of recovery and repair in hearing disorders and enhances speech development in infants. This program also fosters collaborative learning among individuals and provides training in new research areas. Each student’s course of study is specially designed between the student and advisor to meet their interests. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, transcripts, GRE scores, a personal written statement, and a curriculum vitae to enroll in this course.

University of Wisconsin Madison -Ph.D. Program in Communication Sciences & Disorders

The University of Wisconsin Madison offers a Ph.D. concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders that leads you to a research career. This mentor-based doctorate encompasses 14–15 credits in various seminars or courses taken throughout the program. The degree emphasizes normal aspects of speech, language, hearing, and associated disorders. 

The degree requirements include mandatory coursework, seminars, a first-year project, preliminary examinations, a prospectus for the dissertation, and a final oral examination. Students who have completed their master’s thesis, coursework, statistics requirement, and a preliminary examination are eligible to candidacy for this doctoral program. The research laboratories supervised by department faculty offer students multiple training opportunities in numerous research topics. Deserving students in this Ph.D. program may get financial support.

University of Utah -Ph.D. Program in Communication Sciences & Disorders 

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Utah is a three-year course comprising six semesters of graduate coursework and a dissertation. As a student in this program, you must complete 24 credit hours of “in-resident” study and maintain a minimum GPA of 3. Each student has a different plan of study depending on their background but all require a minimum of 21 credit hours of individualized doctoral coursework.

The coursework must include topics in speech, language, hearing, physiology, electrical engineering, cognitive psychology, and others. The research proseminar requires one credit hour per year, 12 credit hours of research tools, 3 credit hours of doctoral instructional methods, a minimum of 9 credit hours in research practicum, and 14 credit hours in dissertation research, summing to a total of 63 credit hours in the case of previous thesis research conductance. To enroll in this program, you must submit a letter of intent, proof of a GPA and GRE, a writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. For more information, you can visit the official website of the University of Utah.

Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Therapy Programs

University of Virginia -Doctor of Philosophy in Education in Speech Communication Disorders 

The University of Virginia offers a Ph.D. in Speech Communication Disorders that prepares individuals as professional scholars and researchers. This small, personalized graduate-level program curating 78-credit courses completes in 3–4 years as a full-time student. The program focuses on incorporating research skills among aspirants to help them conduct independent research and acquire scholarship and instruction skills to support their career at an entry-level position in academics. This program is associated with the Sheila C. Johnson Center, where people suffering from speaking, hearing, writing, and swallowing disorders gain treatment. 

The coursework includes seven core courses constituting research methodology mandatory for all Ph.D. students in Speech Communication Disorders, in addition to one course in Tests and Measurements or Single-Subject Research. Students must also complete a graduate teaching internship as a part of the program and qualify for all comprehensive exams to receive the degree. The prerequisites include a master’s degree in speech communication disorders, a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a letter of research interest, a writing sample, a clinical fellowship, and an interview.

University at Buffalo -Doctor of Philosophy in Communicative Disorders and Sciences 

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Buffalo houses research facilities for basic and clinical research through the Doctoral Program. This two-year program curriculum includes the selection of an advisor and doctoral committee, the development of coursework and a plan of study, and the completion and presentation of a project in the first year. The second year requires the exhibition of a pre-dissertation proposal at the end of the fourth semester. After completing two years, the students can file for candidacy and graduate.

The degree requirements comprise a mentor and an advisory committee assigned by the faculty. This program curates 72 credit hours of academic coursework designed to provide an individualized study experience. A minimum B grade must be maintained each semester with two academic years of full-time residency. You can apply for the Ph.D. program online through Slate so hurry up!

University of Washington -Doctor of Philosophy in Speech and Hearing Sciences 

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program at the University of Washington is specific for aspirants eager to learn and conduct research in communication sciences and disorders.  This program fosters knowledge and technical skills in individuals to prepare them for teaching positions in academic and clinical settings. Based on the apprenticeship,  this program allows individual students to work with faculty members after identifying their interests.

Numerous courses related to speech, language, hearing, research methods, and grant writing linked with training via seminars and colloquia prepare students for advanced careers in the speech and hearing sciences. 4-6 years are usually required to complete this degree. Each student must create an individual developmental plan (IDP) with a mentor and submit it to the program director. According to the UW Graduate School Requirements, each student must take a minimum of 90 graduate credits overall. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be able to pursue your career as a teacher, researcher, and scholar, conveying knowledge to others and generating new knowledge by conducting research. 

The Ohio State University-Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Speech-Language Science 

The Department of Speech and Hearing Science at The Ohio State University offers an extensive PhD program that focuses on Speech-Language Science or Hearing Science. The program emphasizes research experience, which provides students with opportunities to engage in diverse laboratory and clinical settings within and outside the department. The Ph.D. curriculum is flexible and allows students to tailor their academic coursework to their research interests. The program requires coursework in research tools, specialized research projects, and related areas such as psychology, linguistics, statistics, engineering, and education. Students can design their coursework and research experiences in collaboration with their advisors.

If you want to learn more about the Ph.D. program in speech and hearing science at Ohio State University, In that case, you can reach out to Dr. Christina Roup, the Graduate Studies Chair and Ph.D. Committee Chair, at roup.2@osu.edu or the department email @sphhrng@osu.edu for further information.

Conclusion 

The demand for speech-language pathologists is increasing. The doctoral programs and cutting-edge research techniques enable aspirants to delve deeply into the complexity of human communication and investigate newer approaches to identifying, treating, and improving communication abilities for people of all ages. Doctoral candidates develop as authorities to contribute and meet the needs of people with communication impairments thanks to the rigorous integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.