PhD Program

Program Overview

The PhD program is designed to develop outstanding independent researchers and teachers. Program graduates have a broad base of knowledge about human communication sciences and disorders and significant in-depth preparation in their special areas of concentration within the discipline.

Learn About our Research Programs.

The Department encourages diversity among applicants to the program and plans of study developed for individual students. Students come to the PhD program with various backgrounds including clinical or nonclinical education and experience. Some have worked in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology and are returning for the PhD, while others pursue the PhD in sequence with the clinical degree. 

Students in the PhD program work closely with their primary mentor, who is identified prior to admission to the program. Students are advised by the primary mentor along with several other faculty members whom the student selects to be on their program committee. Each individualized plan of study that includes coursework and a range of research experiences with the mentor and other UArizona faculty from the Department or related fields of study. Students engage in scholarly, publishable research endeavors throughout their course of study at the University of Arizona. See recent publications with student co-authors.

Application instructions are here.

Details of the requirements for the academic program can be found in the student handbook (cactus book).

You can learn more about opportunities with the Advancing Inclusion: Multicultural Multilingual Research for Children with Disabilities (AIMM) training grant for doctoral students.

SLHS has a tradition of engaging our students with ASHA's Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP).

The application process opens November 1 for the following academic year which begins in August.

Read more on how to share concerns or complaints about the program or compliance with standards and regulations.

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination -- in the classroom, the clinical setting, and the workplace.  The University of Arizona Office of Institutional Equity provides education and support for these efforts.

The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information and is committed to maintaining an environment free from sexual harassment and retaliation.