Program highlights
- Work side-by-side with leading experts. You’ll collaborate with and receive personalized mentorship from top professionals in speech-language pathology, audiology and related fields.
- Research that shapes practice. Throughout the program, doctoral students participate in hands-on research in labs dedicated to studying areas such as language development and disorders, autism spectrum disorders/neurodiversity, speech physiology and more. You’ll have opportunities to publish and present your work.
- Your plan, your path. Benefit from a customizable curriculum thoughtfully structured to support your specialized interests and career trajectory – and the expertise of our outstanding faculty in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
- Graduate with expertise and credibility. You’ll be prepared to influence practice, shape policy and educate the next generation of communication sciences and disorders professionals.
Join a nationally respected program with a proven record of producing leaders in academia, research and clinical innovation.
#1 public university in Ohio for career prep
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Career opportunities
Graduates with a Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders are uniquely prepared to pursue high-impact careers in academia, healthcare, research and policy. You’ll be armed with the specialized knowledge and research experience to lead at the highest levels. Professionals with a doctorate in communication disorders shape clinical practices, guide institutional change and influence national conversations around communication health.
A few of the rewarding paths our graduates may pursue:
- University faculty and researcher. Teach and mentor future speech-language pathologists while leading original research that advances knowledge in voice, speech sound production, fluency, swallowing and more.
- Clinical research director. Guide evidence-based practices in hospitals and rehab centers. Use your skills to evaluate interventions, improve care standards and translate research into real-world impact.
- Healthcare administrator or program developer. Design and lead speech-language programs in medical centers, schools or early intervention organizations. Bring innovation to how services are delivered and assessed.
- Government or nonprofit policy advisor. Shape public policy, contribute to national health initiatives or consult with agencies on disability rights, health equity and communication access.
- Specialized consultant or private practice leader. Offer expert guidance on treatment approaches, clinical training and service delivery in niche areas such as autism spectrum disorder, aphasia or voice rehabilitation.
Career paths
- University professor
- Clinical researcher
- Academic program administrator
- Industry expert/medical science liaison
- Policy advisor/advocate
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
As one of Ohio’s leading Ph.D. programs for communication sciences and disorders, BGSU requires doctoral candidates to complete a minimum of 60 post-master’s credits, which include:
- Core seminars in communication disorders and pedagogy
- Advanced courses in research methodology
- Electives outside the department
- Mentored and independent teaching
- A first-year research project
- A minimum of 16 credits of dissertation research
Doctoral candidates participate in weekly research seminars and gain experience in research and teaching. You’ll emerge with the skills to design original research, communicate findings effectively and lead innovation in speech-language pathology practice and education.
Sample courses
- Seminar in Communication Disorders
- College and University Teaching
- Foundations of Social Science Research
- Statistical Theory I and II
Applying and funding
Ph.D. applications are taken throughout the year, with rolling admissions. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 15 to be considered for funding the following fall semester.
#1 university in Ohio – big or small, public or private – students would choose again
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The Ph.D. in communication disorders program is in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Health and Human Services and is affiliated with the JP Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior.
Updated: 09/26/2025 11:50AM