Graduate

Ph.D. Program Description

The Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences & Disorders combines an exciting and versatile academic curriculum and a variety of rich research opportunities. The program benefits from the world-class resources of the CSD Department. Human resources include experienced scientists in each of the major areas of the speech, language, and hearing sciences. Physical resources include a vast array of laboratory and clinical facilities ranging from wet labs and comparative research to clinical laboratories with state-of-the-art hardware, software, and custom laboratory space. Ph.D. students benefit from discipline-specific as well as multi-disciplinary programs of study tailored to the individual students areas of interest and strength. Strong research collaborations with the School of Aging Studies, the College of Engineering, and the School of Medicine and formal interdisciplinary programs with the Department of Psychology and the School of Education capitalize on the greater USF community to create a uniquely diverse and transformative learning environment.

The program emphasizes critical thinking, knowledge acquisition, and skill development to prepare the research scientists of tomorrow capable of addressing theoretical and applied issues in laboratory, clinical, and classroom settings. Coursework emphasizes basic and advanced study in the communicative sciences and related disciplines while extensive research experience focuses on the development of the personal programmatic line of research required for success in a research/academic career.

Students graduating with a Ph.D. in CSD are in high-demand and enjoy rewarding careers focusing on research, education, service delivery, policy, administration, and leadership in academia, health care, and corporate settings.