Doctor of Philosophy in Education- Speech Communication Disorders

The Ph.D. for a career as a scientist and academician in speech-language pathology is a research degree. The focus of the doctoral program is acquiring research skills to support independent investigation in clinical research. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare graduates for successful careers as researchers, scientists, and scholars.
The Ph.D. in Speech Communication Disorders program provides academic and apprenticeship instruction to establish the knowledge and skill base necessary for the doctoral student to:
Learn to conduct independent research and scholarship,
Establish a line of inquiry that leads to new knowledge within the discipline of speech-language pathology, and
Acquire scholarship and instructional skills to support an academic career at an entry-level position.
The program provides clinical services through the Sheila C. Johnson Center, which is a full-service clinic for individuals experiencing difficulty in speaking, hearing, reading, writing, organizing thoughts, or even swallowing.

English proficiency requirement:
Paper-based TOEFL: 600
Computer-Based TOEFL: 250
IELTS: 7.0
IBT TOEFL: at least 22 in writing, 22 in speaking, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening for a total score of 90.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:
When considering an application to the UVA Speech Communication Disorders Program doctoral program, prospective applicants should contact Dr. Randall Robey at the earliest possible time to discuss the Program and application matters (see contact information at the bottom of this page).
Decisions regarding admission are rendered by the Speech Communication Disorders Ph.D. Program Committee, which is composed of academic faculty members in the Speech Communication Disorders Program. Applications that are approved for admission by the Speech Communication Disorders Ph.D. Program Committee are submitted to the School of Education and Human Development Central Admissions Committee for final selection and approval.
Applicants to the Program typically have earned a master's degree in Speech Communication Disorders before pursuing the Ph.D. and are encouraged to have the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
Letter of Research Interest - A prospective student must declare one or more research interests in a letter addressed to the Chairperson of the Ph.D. Program Committee. This letter should be submitted as part of the online application, but under a separate cover. The letter should be as specific as possible, as this will help the Committee to determine whether an academic and research program can be tailored to meet the student's needs. In order to provide sufficient detail, the applicant may wish to spend time visiting a library, reading relevant professional literature, and defining their own career goals and aspirations. Typically, an applicant will not be accepted unless his/her research interests are compatible with those of a faculty member and the faculty member agrees to serve as his or her major research advisor.

Writing Sample - All applicants are required to submit an independently written manuscript with their application. This document may be a substantial paper from a previous course, a published professional manuscript, or a literature review completed specifically for the application to the doctoral program, however, it must be authored solely by the applicant. The purpose of the writing sample is to provide evidence that the applicant brings to their program of study the prerequisite writing abilities that will support their successful completion of the program and subsequent career objectives. Any applicant who cannot sustain and improve the writing abilities demonstrated in their written sample may be dismissed from the program, therefore it is crucial that the applicant complete the writing sample independently. Co-authored papers are not acceptable.

Interview - An interview with the applicant will be completed after the submission of all written application materials. Because the interview is a substantial consideration in the admissions process, prospective students are encouraged to visit the program in order to complete this interview in person. At least two members of the Speech Communication Disorders Ph.D. Program Committee will participate in the interview.

Clinical Fellowship - It is anticipated that applicants to the doctoral program will have already completed their Clinical Fellowship (CF) and hold the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). The CF experience is not part of the doctoral program.