Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Doctoral Programs

IU's doctoral programs in include four major areas:

Our outstanding faculty provide a lively and stimulating environment in which to pursue the doctoral degree. We have 14 active research laboratories with a long history of support from federal research grants. There are currently 17 doctoral students working with our faculty on a wide range of research topics. To arrange a visit to the department or to talk with a faculty member, contact Kim Elkins, (812) 855-4202. For further information on Ph.D. programs, e-mail gierut@indiana.edu.

Overview of the Programs

Each of the Ph.D. programs (speech and voice sciences, language sciences, and auditory sciences) requires four to five years, with the first two years devoted primarily to taking classes and developing basic research skills and the last one or two years devoted exclusively to research experience, including the dissertation. During the first two years, you are also required to complete first-year and second-year research projects, which are thesis-like in nature and culminate in a publication, presentation, or both.

Course work during the first two years is broadly based and includes classes in research design and statistics, as well as a variety of courses and seminars specific to your chosen major area. The focus of our Ph.D. program is to train future scholars and scientists. Because most students come with a clinical master's degree and considerable clinical experience, emphasis is placed on the acquisition of a fundamental knowledge base and the development of research skills.