School of Communication

Course of Study

The PhD program in communication sciences and disorders is unique in the breadth and depth of course offerings and research opportunities in audiology, speech pathology, and learning disabilities. These include:

  • A degree structure that enhances opportunities for students to take full advantage of the vast expertise of the entire faculty.
  • The opportunity to conduct research within the framework of an established research laboratory. Students experience a model of research education that includes the critical elements of funding (external grants), experimentation, dissemination (publication), as well as a true cohort experience.
  • Cross-disciplinary ties have been a tradition in the department, but recent university initiatives have resulted in new and exciting opportunities. Cross-disciplinary opportunities include course work, laboratory experiences, and regular colloquia series featuring Northwestern faculty and other national and international scientists. Joint faculty appointments between communication sciences and disorders and other related departments are common. Presently, both faculty and students are involved in interdisciplinary programs in:

During the first year of doctoral work, students will take courses, which are related to their field of interest, a general seminar in CSD, statistics, and other tool courses. By the end of the first year of doctoral study the student must complete and file a Plan of Study form. This form details the student's doctoral program. On it the student must list course work to be completed, the laboratories and advisors for the two laboratory rotations/directed readings, and the general topic and advisor of the qualifying research project. Time lines for completion of both course work and pre-candidacy research requirements must be listed. Students should consult their advisor and Doctoral Program and Qualifying Committee members for assistance in preparation of the Plan of Study. The student's committee members will examine and approve the plan at the First Year Review meeting. Modifications may be required before approval is granted.

Entry into the Ph.D. program assumes at least a BA degree. Students with deficiencies may be required to take courses, in addition to those listed here, to make up these deficiencies. During the first two years of doctoral study, students are required to complete: (a) courses that will provide them with knowledge in relevant areas, (b) courses focused on research tools, (c) seminars focused on research design and methods, (d) seminars focused on specific topics within the field of CSD, (e) courses outside of the department in a specific interest area, and (f) independent studies for laboratory rotations/directed readings and work on the qualifying research project. Directed teaching also is required, but this may be completed after the student reaches candidacy.

Research Tools

Doctoral students are required to develop competence with certain research tools. Course work in laboratory instrumentation and in statistical methods and research design as listed below is intended to provide this. The following courses (or their equivalent)1 are required:

Advanced Statistics (two courses)2

STATS 330-2: Applied Statistics for Research II
CSD 404-2: Experimental Design and Statistics in Communication Sciences and Disorders II

Scientific Writing

CSD 412: Seminar in Scientific Writing

Laboratory Instrumentation (at least one course)

CSD 305-1: Laboratory Computer Instrumentation
CSD 320: Physiological Instrumentation
NUIN 455: Instrumentation for Neuroscience

Seminars

CSD 545: Survey of Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders

During the first year of study, all students take a seminar designed to familiarize students with research in the department and issues concerned with research ethics. This Seminar in Communication Sciences and Disorders is offered during the Fall quarter each year.

CSD 550: Research Procedures in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Students are required to complete two quarters of CSD 545. These seminars are designed to prepare students to design their research projects (i.e., the qualifying research project, see below). Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of published research and on preparation of research proposals. Research designs and methodologies used in both basic and applied research in communication science and disorders are emphasized. These seminars are offered during the winter and spring quarters and are taken during the first year of doctoral study.

CSD 551: Topics in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Topic seminars Communication Sciences and Disorders are offered in a variety of areas. The purpose of these seminars is to provide students with advanced readings and opportunity for discussion in topic areas. Doctoral students are required to successfully complete at least two seminars. Other seminars offered within the department may be taken to satisfy this requirement (e.g., Advanced Topics in Central Auditory Neurophysiology, Brain Mechanisms Underlying Speech and Language, Psychopathology of Learning, Topics in Auditory Physiology, Topics in Psychoacoustics). Substituted seminars must be approved by the student's program committee.

Correlative Area

Students are required to complete at least three courses from outside the department to comprise a correlative area of study. These courses should be related to the student's primary interest and should be related to one another in content. However, these courses do not need to be offered from the same department. Students should seek the advice of their advisor and Program Committee members in selecting the correlative area and appropriate courses.

Directed Teaching

Directed Teaching is intended to provide students with teaching experience. Students select a course, with the consent of the course instructor, which they wish to be involved in teaching and enroll for directed teaching (CSD 499 Independent Study) with the regular instructor of the course. Students are responsible for preparation and delivery of at least four one-hour lectures during the quarter enrolled. The student will attend all other lectures. Students also will be involved in preparation of the course outline, selection of readings, writing exam questions, etc. The directed teaching may be completed following admission to candidacy.

1 Substituted course must be approved by the student's committee
2 Students not well grounded in basic statistical theory and methods should enroll in introductory statistics courses before taking advanced statistics; either COMM DIS 304 or STATS 330-1.