PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
Speech language pathologists are in high demand, supporting patients with communicative, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. To train them, the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) field needs PhD-educated academics to conduct original interdisciplinary research and teach future clinicians how to apply this cutting-edge work.
Molloy University, home to one of the few CSD PhD programs on Long Island, is committed to preparing CSD academics who will be well-rounded mentors, interdisciplinary researchers, passionate educators, and dedicated leaders.
About the PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders Program
Molloy’s Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is part of the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Our CSD doctorate caters to students from diverse clinical and scientific disciplines that emphasize the science of health, equity, culture, language, speech, communication, cognition, feeding, and swallowing.
The four main areas of the program include:
- Discovery. Contributing to the knowledge base of CSD.
- Integration. Enhancing interdisciplinary understanding through research.
- Application. Using research to transform theory and clinical needs for CSD.
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL). Using Boyer’s Model of Scholarship to mentor, educate, and disseminate scientific information to future professionals and the public.
Upon graduation, successful candidates will be able to:
- Conduct basic and applied research methodology
- Engage in interdisciplinary research and education
- Bridge theory and clinical application
- Educate undergraduate and graduate-level CSD students
- Present and disseminate CSD research to the community at large
Molloy offers two entry points for CSD students:
- BS to PhD: 55+ credits
- MS to PhD: 40+ credits
The program is offered on campus, full- and part-time, and can typically be completed in 4 to 5 years for full-time students.
Benefits of Molloy’s Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD
Dedicated Faculty and Research Breadth
Faculty Research Highlights:
- Investigating the neural underpinnings of language and cognition across the lifespan, including studies on aphasia, multilingualism, equity, and access in CSD.
- Exploring language and cognitive differences in neurodivergent individuals, alongside the scholarship of teaching and learning for neurodivergent students in higher education.
- Focusing on neurogenic disorders such as aphasia, motor speech disorders, and dysphagia, with an emphasis on interprofessional and community-based rehabilitation.
- Examining the neural basis of speech, language, and literacy in infants and children, and cognitive factors impacting recovery and quality of life for patients and caregivers.
- Researching multimodal communication, specifically the interplay between hand gestures, linguistic factors, and cultural context in spoken language, and its implications for treatment.
State-of-the-Art Research Technology
Students have access to advanced equipment that facilitates diverse and complex research in communication sciences and disorders across the curriculum:
- Event-Related Potentials (ERPs): Measures brain activity (neural signatures) in response to specific sensory, cognitive, or motor events, offering insights into language processing and brain function.
- Eye Tracking (Tobii): Monitors gaze patterns and visual attention, which is crucial for studying reading, social interaction, and cognitive processing in various CSD populations.
- Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): A procedure that uses a tiny camera to visualize the pharynx and larynx before and after a swallow, essential for clinical research in dysphagia (swallowing disorders).
- Language Environment Analysis (LENA): A system that quantifies the auditory environment and measures conversational turns, which is critical for early language research in children.
Other Resources: Ultrasound, multispeech, electropalatography, high-fidelity camera for gesture recordings, and soundproof booths.
Strong Focus on Scholarship of Research and Teaching
Molloy’s CSD doctoral program is specifically designed to create well-rounded academics through a strong focus on experiential learning in both research and teaching:
- Teaching Experience: Students complete two classes focused on learning theory and a required one-semester practicum, teaching an undergraduate CSD course under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
- Guided Research: The curriculum integrates two lab rotations, followed by independent pre-dissertation research. This pre-dissertation work is required to be written as a manuscript for peer-reviewed journal submission.
- Dissertation: The program culminates in a rigorous, independent dissertation research project, guided by a faculty chair and committee.
- Other Opportunities: Students are actively involved in presenting at conferences, writing grant proposals, and reviewing scholarly articles.
Full- and Part-Time Curriculum
Our flexible PhD program allows students to pursue full- or part-time study, with classes and research activities primarily on Molloy’s Hempstead Avenue campus. We accommodate students’ work and life commitments, enabling many to successfully balance employment while completing their doctorate degree.
Careers for PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduates
The demand for doctoral-level academics in CSD is high, making the Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders a high-value degree. Our graduates are prepared for influential roles in academia, research, and clinical leadership.
Career Outcomes for CSD PhD Graduates include:
- Clinical research director
- Full-time researcher roles in universities or research institutes
- Tenure-track and non-tenure-track college faculty positions
- Higher education administration
- Industry research scientist
Our graduates leave ready to take on successful roles in university settings and applied research, serving both private and public industries.
Funding opportunities available
Limited, competitiveopportunities for Teaching and Research Assistantships are available to provide financial support and valuable professional experience. We encourage all applicants to explore the specifics of these competitive awards and other financial aid opportunities.
Ready to Become a Leader in CSD Research and Academia?
Contribute to the crucial work of training communication sciences and disorders professionals. Take the next step toward becoming a doctoral-level scholar today.
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