天堂鸟先生

Two Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) programs are offered in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS) at 天堂鸟先生: one in Hearing Science and one in Speech-Language Sciences. Both emphasize the development of specialized knowledge and skills consistent with strong scholarly career aspirations through academic coursework, research projects, grant writing, research presentations in professional forums, interdisciplinary scholarly activities, teaching opportunities, and ongoing engaged mentoring by HSLS faculty. A PhD is granted upon evidence that the candidate has achieved a high level of scholarship and proficiency in research, as indexed by means detailed in these guidelines.

天堂鸟先生 Policies

Students applying for a PhD are required to have the equivalent of a bachelor鈥檚 degree; they are not required to have a graduate degree in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences or a related area. To be considered for PhD study, all applicants must submit an 天堂鸟先生 application form, all past academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation (including at least one from the student鈥檚 master鈥檚 degree program, if applicable), scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and a two- or three-page narrative detailing previous experience and long- and short-term career objectives. Individual interviews with the Director of HSLS, the Coordinator of PhD Studies and/or a potential faculty mentor in the student鈥檚 intended area of study are required. In-person interviews and campus visitations are highly recommended and, in some cases, may be required. In extenuating cases approved by the Director and Coordinator of PhD Studies when a campus interview is not possible, a phone or videoconferencing interview may be permitted in lieu of the on-campus interview.

The following criteria are used to determine eligibility for admission to doctoral study:

• A record of high scholastic achievement,
• Letters of recommendation substantiating academic and other strengths,
• GRE scores consistent with doctoral academic demands, and
• A career plan describing past experiences, reasons for pursuing doctoral study, desired future employment settings, areas of desired professional expertise and knowledge, skills, and experiences sought during doctoral study. International students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English per graduate application guidelines.

Prior to an offer of admission, the HSLS Graduate Committee must deem that an applicant is qualified for the program and eligible for admission. Additionally, an academic graduate faculty member must agree to accept the student as their advisee; prior to doing so they must review application materials and interview the applicant. Applicants are notified of admissions decision by the Coordinator of PhD Studies.

General Program Requirements Documentation

Key milestones and procedures must be documented throughout the program. It is critical to obtain the required signatures in a timely fashion. Please consult with the Coordinator of PhD studies for the checklist of these forms.

Academic Residency

Continuous residence on the Athens campus for a minimum of two semesters is required according to University's PhD program policies. A time limit of no more than seven years is allowed for the PhD degree to be completed according to University policies. Completion of the degree within fewer than four years of full-time study is not an expectation in the School.

Enrollment

Six semesters of full-time PhD study are required, excluding enrollment in summer sessions during the first three years of study. Enrollment during each summer is not required. Students must follow 天堂鸟先生 registration policies in that they must be registered for a minimum of one graduate credit hour during any semester in which they receive any service from or use any of the facilities at 天堂鸟先生.

Grades

A grade of C (2.0) or better for any course is necessary for the course to count toward degree requirements. Any course listed in a student鈥檚 approved program of study is considered a degree requirement. In some cases, a student with the approval of their Academic Guidance Committee may take an equivalent course as a substitute for the course in which a grade lower than a C was obtained.

Consistent with University policies, all PhD students must maintain a B (3.0) or better grade point average (GPA) on a continuing basis. Written documentation from the Graduate Committee is required to justify continuation in the program in any case when an average below 3.0 is achieved.

Annual Evaluation

Annual evaluation meetings will be called by the Coordinator of PhD Programs. The Annual Review of Doctoral Student Performance form will be completed and filed by the Academic Advisor in the student鈥檚 file by the end of the spring semester each year while the student is enrolled, regardless of a student鈥檚 date of entry into the program. The annual evaluation process must be completed jointly by the student鈥檚 Academic Advisor and Academic Guidance Committee. The evaluation will include discussion of the student鈥檚 performance in coursework, research, and teaching (if applicable), and the student鈥檚 professional/academic motivation, initiative, independence, and accountability. One of three consensus recommendations will be reached by the advisor and guidance committee: 1) continuation in the doctoral program; 2) continuation of one semester with the expectation that specific documented goals be met by the end of that semester; or 3) discontinuation of doctoral study. The review form will be placed in the student鈥檚 academic file in the HSLS office. The annual evaluation results will be discussed with the student by their academic advisor. The student may request a copy of the review form.

Work Responsibilities

All PhD students with financial awards associated with work assignments are required to engage professionally in those assignments, document and report to their faculty mentors their weekly hours worked, and achieve milestones and deliverables set out by their faculty mentors. Doctoral students receiving financial awards will be expected to work 15 hours per week.

Mentored Teaching

PhD students will ideally be provided multiple opportunities to engage in teaching experiences, under the supervision of their primary mentor. PhD students engage in preparing and delivering lectures and other learning experiences in undergraduate and/or graduate courses relevant to their area of study, with the goal of ensuring preparation for future independent teaching and mentoring roles. Independent teaching opportunities may be available according to the School鈥檚 needs, with permission from the Director and the primary mentor.

Collegiality and Active Participation in Scholarly Culture

The HSLS program has a strong research and scholarly culture that benefits from collegial interactions and mutual support among faculty members and students. Each HSLS academic faculty member has an active and productive research laboratory and research program and collaborates with other researchers. Faculty members play an important role in helping doctoral students acquire a sense of collegiality in scholarly activities. Important aspects of the research culture include sharing ideas and projects across laboratories, welcoming and assisting newly admitted PhD students, conferring with others in HSLS who may need advice in one鈥檚 area of expertise, and participating actively in the HSLS research colloquium series. All PhD students are required to attend all HSLS research colloquia. PhD students are expected to present their research in colloquia and at other college and university scholarly events as well as at national and/or international conferences.

Completion of the Program

A minimum of 90 semester hours of graduate coursework is necessary to complete the PhD degree. Students must: a) pass all academic course work, b) complete and defend a predissertation project, c) pass comprehensive examinations, d) pass an annual evaluation, and e) successfully propose, complete, and defend a dissertation project.

Dismissal from the Program

Students may be dismissed from the doctoral program in cases of a grade point average below minimum standards as defined by University policy (GPA 3.0), violations of University policy that normally result in expulsion, failure to complete an approved pre-dissertation research project, failure to pass the written comprehensive exam or oral comprehensive exam, or a consensus recommendation of the Academic Advisor and Academic Guidance Committee for discontinuation of the program.

Please see the Coordinator of the PhD Programs for the following forms:

• Student-Initiated Change of Doctoral Advisor Form
• Predissertation Project Approval Form
• HSLS PhD Directed Study Form