Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.

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The focus of the Ph.D. Communication and Disorders program is the unique nature and impact of communication disorders for children and adults in the urban context with a specific focus on the needs of individuals and groups residing in the Atlanta and other major urban areas. The program will prepare doctoral level students for academic careers in research and University level teaching in both Speech and Language Pathology and Speech Science. Students will implement evidence-based services across the scope of practice in speech-language pathology and will make significant contributions to the research base of the profession.

The objectives of the proposed doctoral degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders are:

To create a world class doctoral training program that is a recognized leader in research on the unique characteristics and needs of individuals with communication disorders residing in major cities, including a focus on: a) individuals living in poverty b) the challenges for individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, c) disparities in access to service and service delivery; d)the shortage of valid and reliable instruments and processes for identification and assessment of communication disorders for individuals who are culturally and linguistically diverse; and, e) the importance of development of basic research focused on the needs of those who struggle with communication.
To prepare excellent doctoral level students who are prepared to lead and to collaborate across disciplines
To prepare excellent doctoral level students who will pursue and obtain research faculty positions at research intensive colleges and universities in CSD programs and related disciplines.

Degree Requirements

Core Area (18 Hours)

The Core Area consists of 15 semester hours of research coursework and 3 semester hours of Social Foundation of Education and Psychology of Learning coursework.

Research Core (15 Hours)

Choose One Course (3)

EPRS 8500 - Qualitative/Interpretive Research in Education I 3 Credit Hours
EPRS 8530 - Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I 3 Credit Hours

Required (12 Hours)

A two course sequence (6 hours) in research methodology (see below for specific tracks/courses)
Two courses (6 hours) in advanced research methods as identified by the Doctoral Advisory Committee

Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning Core (3 Hours)

In addition to highly specialized research in specific areas, doctoral students in the College of Education and Human Development must possess a deep understanding of comprehensive, theoretical principles and broad ideological conceptualizations.

Through historical, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological inquiry, knowledge of social foundations fosters the types of speculative investigations essential for thorough understandings of those theoretical principles and ideological conceptualizations necessary to uphold the integrity of the Ph.D. degree.

The psychology of learning component is based on the following guiding principles: (1) Educational leaders make judgments that affect learning. (2) Doctoral students should have a substantial understanding of the psychology of learning.

EPSF 8270 - Philosophy of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8280 - Anthropology of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8310 - Sociology of Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8320 - Politics and Policy in Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 8340 - History of American Education 3 Credit Hours
EPSF 9260 - Epistemology and Learning 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8030 - Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8050 - The Psychology of Instruction 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8070 - Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8080 - Memory and Cognition 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8180 - Learning and the School-Age Child (5 to 18 Years) 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8200 - Advanced Developmental Psychology: Cognition and Intellect 3 Credit Hours
EPY 8220 - Advanced Developmental Psychology: Personality and Socialization 3 Credit Hours

Major Area (10-12 Hours)

Required (10-12 Hours):

CSD 8810 - Directed Readings in Communication Sciences and Disorders 1 to 3 Credit Hours
CSD 8970 - Research Seminar in Communication Sciences and Disorders 1 Credit Hours
(students will be required to enroll in a minimum of three (3) consecutive research seminars for a total of 3 credit hours)
CSD 9930 - Grant Writing in the Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit Hours
EPY 9000 - Facilitating College Teaching 3 Credit Hours

Electives (8-12 Hours)

Students must select a minimum of 8 hours of additional credit hours of coursework based on the area of research focus. These electives must be chosen from a broad list of approved options in disciplines including (but not limited to) anthropology, communication sciences and disorders, computer science, gerontology, linguistics, neuroscience, communication, public health, special education, educational psychology and psychology. Students will be encouraged to complete coursework that is relevant for application to the urban context. A study plan developed by the student and the advisor in consultation with the student’s doctoral committee will be used to select these courses.

CSD 8360 - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity for Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 Credit Hours
CSD 9310 - Reading Development, Disorders, and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
or
EPY 9310 - Reading Development, Disorders, and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 9310 - Reading Development, Disorders, and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
CSD 9320 - Language Development, Disorders, and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
or
EPY 9320 - Language Development, Disorders, and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 9320 - Language Development, Disorders and Intervention Research 3 Credit Hours
CSD 9330 - Measurement and Assessment in Advanced Language and Literacy Science 3 Credit Hours
or
EPY 9330 - Measurement and Assessment in Advanced Language and Literacy Science 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 9330 - Measurement and Assessment in Advanced Language and Literacy Science 3 Credit Hours
CSD 9760 - Special Topics in Communication Disorders 3 Credit Hours
CSD 9900L - Research in Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy 1 Credit Hours
or
EXC 9900 - Research Seminar in Special Education 1 to 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 9900L - Special Topics: Research in Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy 1 to 3 Credit Hours
CSC 6360 - Mobile Application Development 4 Credit Hours
CSC 8850 - Advanced Machine Learning 4 Credit Hours
GERO 8116 - Sociology of Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 8124 - Diversity and Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 8320 - Psychology of Aging 3 Credit Hours
NEUR 8031 - Behavioral Neuroscience 3 Credit Hours
NEUR 8715 - Brains and Behavior Seminar 1 Credit Hours
PHPB 9120 - Theory and Practice in Health and Prevention Instruction 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 7300 - Urban Health 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 7600 - Global Health 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 8350 - Biological Basis for Disease 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 8885 - Fundamentals of Clinical Trials 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 8540 - Advanced Cognitive Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 8551 - Cognitive and Linguistic Development 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 8610 - Functional Human Neuroanatomy and Behavioral Neuroscience 3 Credit Hours
Other courses as approved by the Doctoral Advisory Committee.

Dissertation (15 Hours)

Required (15):

CSD 9990 - Dissertation 1 to 18 Credit Hours

Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ph.D.

Degree Requirements

Core Area (18 Hours)

Research Core (15 Hours)

Choose One Course (3)

Required (12 Hours)

Quantitative Methodology

Qualitative Methodology

Single-Case Methodology

Historical/Philosophical Methodology

Measurement Methodology

Mixed Methodology

Social Foundations of Education and Psychology of Learning Core (3 Hours)

Major Area (10-12 Hours)

Electives (8-12 Hours)

Dissertation (15 Hours)

Total Semester Hours for Degree: Minimum 51