Ph.D. Program -

The doctoral program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is an individualized interdisciplinary course of study aimed at developing professionals capable of leadership roles in research, teaching, and professional service. Faculty in the department as well as in other departments of the University make the program particularly appealing for students interested in child language development and disorders, speech science, hearing science, clinical audiology, or neurogenic speech and language disorders. The program of study is guided by an adviser and an advisory committee of four faculty members chosen in consultation with the student.

Our program at UT is built on an apprenticeship model. Each doctoral student has a mentor who acts as the students' primary advisor and teacher. During the first year of doctoral study, the mentor and the student put together a doctoral committee that reviews and approves the student's doctoral work plan. The doctoral committee is usually comprised of faculty members who share research interests with the student.

In order to be accepted into the doctoral program, there must be a faculty member who indicates that he or she wants to work closely with you. Individuals who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree at UT Austin should contact one or two specific faculty members that they think may be interested in studying with. After discussions with the faculty members about their specific research interests, the individual asks one faculty member if they would be willing to serve as their mentor. The faculty member who is willing to serve as a mentor writes a summary statement that goes into the applicant's application folder.

Academic Faculty bios are available to help you determine which faculty member best fits your interest. All applicants are expected to interview (either in person or telephone) with the CSD Graduate Adviser and faculty member they wish to serve as their mentor. You should visit the Academic Faculty bios list above for contact information.

Once you have identified a mentor whom you would like to work with, you should complete the application process by following the application instructions.

In addition to completing the application as instructed by the above page, all applicants for the MA/PhD or PhD must send the following materials to the CSD Graduate Office address listed below by your area deadline.

1) Resume or Curriculum vitae

2) Writing Sample (an original research project or major written project)

Be sure to include on the materials mailed to our office, your full name and EID (electronic identification) used on your on-line application with the Office of Graduate and International Admissions Center.

Please remember to review all admissions information, deadlines, and major codes listed at the department's website. This will provide you all the information you will need to complete the application process. Fall admission ONLY is offered to all areas of interest.

Please contact our CSD Graduate Office if you have general admissions questions about the doctoral application process. The faculty member you choose to mentor you during your graduate program is the best person to answer specific questions about what your individual program might look like. Please feel free to email our faculty with your questions or concerns.

Thanks for your interest in the doctoral program at UT. We believe we offer an outstanding educational experience to serious students seeking a doctoral degree.

Please mail resume and writing sample to the following address:

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station/A1100
CSD Graduate Office, CMA 2.112
Austin, TX 78712-0114

Doctoral Program Objectives

The student is required to demonstrate knowledge and/or competence in the following areas before the doctoral degree is awarded:

1. The body of literature pertinent to the student's major area of interest and necessary supportive areas;

2. The performance of original and independent scholarly research;

3. Basic teaching skills necessary to teach courses in the student's major area of interest.

Student's Responsibility

Students are responsible for insuring that all relevant documentation is present in his or her advisor's file. Each student will provide his or her faculty advisor with copies of all papers written for courses (including those completed for courses outside the Department) in order to help the advisory committee monitor the student's development of academic writing skills.