Degree Title and Name:  Doctor of Philosophy in Hearing Science

Program Name and Number:  Hearing Science – PH5325

Department/Unit:  School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences, Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:  The Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders is dedicated to excellence in research and teaching undergraduate and graduate students who will be successful in future academic study and employment.

Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in hearing science. We are a diverse, energetic, dedicated, and productive faculty who work closely with students in a positive and encouraging environment. We offer students the opportunity to develop a highly individualized academic plan of study that includes a major and minor area of study, access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, a range of mentored research experiences, and a variety of mentored teaching opportunities. We prepare future scholars, educators, and leaders of the field. Doctoral studies is full time (i.e., 12-15 credit hours per semester prior to completing the comprehensive examination following the second year of study) and typically requires 4 years to complete.  

Doctor of Philosophy degree applicants who are also interested in obtaining a doctor of audiology (Au.D.) may request consideration for admission to the Au.D. program to seek joint degrees of Ph.D. and Au.D. This joint option is for students who are certain they wish to pursue a Ph.D. and receive an Au.D. degree along the way. Upon completion of the program, the student will have completed the doctor of audiology and a Ph.D. in hearing science. This allows for maximum efficiency overall, and permits the student to pursue research and clinical training simultaneously, rather than sequentially. The purpose of the joint degrees is to nurture and guide students with excellent potential while integrating master’s and doctoral coursework, research, and clinical experiences. Time of completion of joint Au.D.-Ph.D. degrees is typically 5 years. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge related to their major area of study.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge related to their minor area of study.
• Students will be able to demonstrate research skills related to the major area of study.
• Students will be able to demonstrate research skills related to the minor area of study.
• Students will be able to demonstrate integrated knowledge and research skills across their major and minor areas of study.

Opportunities for Graduates:  One hundred percent of our Ph.D. graduates (to date of catalog publication) have secured employment upon graduation. Our graduates typically assume an academic post.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/rehab/communication-sciences/doctorate-hearing-science/doctorate-speech-language-science

Graduation Requirements:

1. A minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate work is necessary to complete the Ph.D. degree. Thirty-four credits from a prior graduate degree may be applied to the 90 hours.
2. Per Ohio University policy, students must be enrolled full time (12-15 credit hours) for a minimum of two semesters.
3. CSD Enrollment: Six semesters of full-time PhD study (12-15 credit hours), excluding summers, during the first three years of study are required.
4. A grade of C (2.0) or better for any course is necessary for the course to count toward degreerequirements.
5. Consistent with University policies, all doctoral students must maintain a B (3.0) or better grade point average on a continuing basis.
6. Successful completion of the following components is required for the PhD:
   • pre-dissertation project (maximum 6 credit hours)
   • all committee approved course work in the major (minimum 21 credit hours): courses tailored to area of interest
   • all committee approved course work in the minor (minimum 17 credit hours): courses tailored to area of interest
   • two-course sequence in statistics in psychology (PSY 6111, PSY 6112)
   • comprehensive examinations (following second year of study)
   • dissertation project (maximum 16 credit hours)

Culminating Experience: Successful completion of a dissertation project reflecting an original piece of work on the part of the student (maximum 16 credit hours)

Admission Requirements: To be considered for Ph.D. study, applicants must submit the following:

• An Ohio University application form
• 3.0 minimum overall grade point average
• All past academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation from those who best know the applicants’ potential for doctoral study
• Official Score Report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Recommended scores: Verbal 45th percentile or above; Quantitative 40th percentile or above; Writing 50th percentile or above
• A two-page narrative detailing previous experience and long- and short-term career objectives
• International applicants must additionally submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL or IELTS) and a sample of spoken English. The following English proficiency scores are required by Ohio University for unconditional admission.
  • iBT - 80 Composite, all Section Scores of 17
  • IELTS – 6.5 Composite, all Bands 6.5
  • PBT TOEFL – 550 Total, Composition 5, all other Section Scores 52

Individual interviews (in person or via Skype) with the Coordinator of Ph.D. Studies and/or a potential faculty mentor in the student’s intended area of study is required.

International Students:  This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.