Speech and Hearing Science, PhD

The PhD program in speech and hearing science provides flexible, comprehensive training for scholar-researchers interested in communication processes and disorders, allowing students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for them to become productive researchers, whether in academia or industry. At the University of Iowa, the program reflects the broadly multidisciplinary interests of its faculty, who have expertise in physiology, bioengineering and physical sciences, neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, and multiculturalism across the domains of speech, language, and hearing. Prospective students are encouraged to identify a mentor whose research area aligns with their own interests. Students with diverse backgrounds in the natural and behavioral sciences are encouraged to apply.

Learning Outcomes

Graduating PhD students in speech pathology and audiology will demonstrate:

  • critical thinking through reading, discussing, and writing about relevant scientific literature;
  • competence in designing and conducting research, from concept to methodology, and through to data analysis and publication;
  • competence in scientific writing;
  • competence in developing and delivering oral research presentations; and
  • competence in developing and delivering course material to undergraduate and graduate classes.