1. Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
  2. Curriculum and Degree Information
  3. Path to Degree

Path to Degree

Individual timelines may vary depending on students’ research projects, laboratory involvement, student productivity, and other variables.

Year 1

  • Take 3 required courses per semester
  • Optionally take one our 2 additional electives aligned with the student’s interests.
  • Select primary advisor
  • Join a research laboratory and become involved in ongoing projects
  • Complete First Examination (due by the beginning of the third semester)

Year 2

  • Take additional required courses and electives (3 to 4 courses per semester) (to complete 45 credits to advance to 2nd level). (30 credits from a master’s program can be transferred)
  • Start working on the pre-dissertation project and Second Examination
  • Apply for various funding opportunities at the GC and elsewhere (e.g., Doctoral Student Research Grant)
  • Become involved in ongoing projects in the lab and co-author presentations and journal articles

  • Consider presenting a paper at a professional meeting/conference

  • Optional: teaching at college level

Year 3

  • Complete all coursework
  • Complete and present the pre-dissertation project (target date in the first semester)
  • Complete second-level exam (target by end of second semester)
  • Present the findings from the pre-dissertation project at a national/international conference
  • Be involved in ongoing projects in the lab
  • Apply for various funding opportunities at the GC and elsewhere (e.g., Doctoral Student Research Grant)
  • Optional: teaching at college level

Year 4

  • Prepare and complete dissertation proposal
  • Participate in Dissertation Seminar
  • Apply for dissertation research funding within and outside the GC
  • Prepare manuscript from predissertation project for publication
  • Present paper(s) at national/international conference(s)
  • Be involved in ongoing projects in the lab and co-author presentations and journal articles
  • Optional: teaching at college level

Year 5

  • Conduct and complete dissertation research
  • Co-author presentations and journal articles from collaborations in lab
  • Start job interviews/apply for jobs and postdoctoral positions (Assemble letters update CV)
  • Complete and defend the dissertation
  • Revise and deposit the dissertation
  • Prepare papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals based on the dissertation
  • Optional: teaching at college level