Graduate Studies in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of South Alabama Instructions and Application Packet Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of South Alabama 1119 HAHN, 5721 USA Drive North Mobile, AL 36688-0002 Phone: (251) 445-9378 Fax: (251) 445-9376 Revised July 2013 Ph.D. Application ii Application for Admission Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. degree) Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of South Alabama TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Overview of the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders 2. Information and Instructions for the Applicant 3. Application Form 4. Recommendation Letter Form (One copy provided, duplicate as needed) 5. Application Form for Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship 6. Checklist for Applicant Notice: This application packet contains all the information needed to apply to the Doctor of Philosophy program in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of South Alabama. The applicant must adhere to the guidelines set forth in this packet. No other forms of application will be accepted. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS OVERVIEW The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers students specialization in speech-language pathology, communication science, or audiology. The doctoral program is designed to provide a formal course of training and advanced research in communication sciences and disorders that produces significant, original contributions to the professional discipline. Course work in experimental research design, statistics and various outof-department opportunities maximize the student’s ability to engage in original research and scholarship. A doctoral student is admitted to candidacy upon passing a written and oral comprehensive examination. Applicants wishing to pursue the Ph.D. degree design a program suited to meet their future teaching and research goals in speech-language pathology, audiology, and/or applied speech/hearing sciences within the framework of the core requirements described below. Many full-time students complete the Ph.D. program in three years. Students must complete the Ph.D. in seven years from the start of the program. The student may apply for an extension if unable to complete the degree in seven years. All extensions must be approved by the student's committee and the department chair. Ph.D. Application iii There are two tracks that students can choose in pursuit of the Ph.D. degree: Track One is for applicants who have completed both undergraduate and graduate level training in the profession or a related field. For these students, it is assumed that they have either already met course work requirements toward certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or they are not pursuing certification. Students with bachelor's degrees within the discipline may enter this program but do not complete the clinical requirements for certification through ASHA (i.e., CCC-A or CCC-SLP). Track Two is designed for students who wish to obtain clinical certification in either discipline as part of their training. This track is available as a fast-track option to the Ph.D. program and is available to Au.D. and SLP Master's degree students after they have completed one half of their degree programs. That is, Au.D. students can apply to the Ph.D. program after the first two years of their Au.D. training. If accepted, they proceed to complete the requirements for the Au.D. and the Ph.D. programs simultaneously. They are awarded both degrees at the completion of all program requirements, and they are eligible for ASHA CCC-A. Students in the MSSLP program can convert to the Ph.D. program after one year of the master's degree and complete the Ph.D. in three years. They are awarded the Ph.D. only. They will have, however, demonstrated the core knowledge and skills necessary to be eligible for the ASHA CCC-SLP. They will still need to complete the Clinical Fellowship (CF). REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION Minimum admission consideration requirements are as follows: Track One: 1. Bachelor’s or graduate degree. If the applicant wants to earn ASHA certification then a graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology is needed. 2. For bachelor's applicants, minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2 (based on 4.0) and minimum undergraduate GPA in the professional area of 3.5. For those holding a graduate degree, a minimum overall graduate GPA of 3.5. 3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in the areas of verbal, quantitative, and writing must be officially reported to the University of South Alabama Office of Admissions. The GRE must have been taken within the last five years. A minimum GRE score of 290 (verbal and quantitative sections combined) is required; however, a higher score is recommended for a competitive application. Although the writing score must be reported, there is no minimum score required. 4. Three completed recommendation letters are required. Two of these recommendations must be from doctoral level faculty within the applicant’s major field of study. The third recommendation may be from a faculty member from a department other than the applicant’s major, a university-based clinical supervisor or master’s level instructor, or a recent employer if the applicant has been employed in a related profession. 5. A Letter of Intent stating the applicant's reasons for pursuing the degree. 6. Completion of an applicant interview. Ph.D. Application iv Track Two: 1. Bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology, or successful completion of undergraduate equivalency course work in the area of Speech and Hearing Sciences, or equivalent. (See prerequisite program above.) 2. Current status within the Au.D. or M.S. Speech-Language Pathology program at USA with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 (based on 4.0). 3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in the areas of verbal, quantitative, and writing must be officially reported to the University of South Alabama Office of Admissions. The GRE must have been taken within the last five years. A minimum GRE score of 290 (verbal and quantitative sections combined) is required; however, a higher score is recommended for a competitive application. Although the writing score must be reported, there is no minimum score required. 4. Three letters of reference from current faculty, two of these references being provided by the Ph.D. faculty. 5. A Letter of Intent stating the applicant's reasons for pursuing the degree. 6. Completion of an applicant interview. Ph.D. Application v PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS The following is a sample of the minimum requirements needed to earn the Ph.D. degree: Core Courses (12 hours) Pre-dissertation course work in experimental design, statistical procedures, and research instrumentation. Includes doctoral colloquia. CSD 650 Research Methods (3 credits) CSD 651 Speech and Hearing Sciences Instrumentation (3 credits) IDE 620 Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) IDE 621 Quantitative Methods II (3 credits) Electives (29 hours) Electives include directed studies and directed research. Research projects are designed to give the student direct experience in the design, analysis and interpretation of experimental questions. This directed research is intended, in part, to provide the student with a project for their pre-comprehensive examination manuscript and oral presentation. These experiences are also designed as prerequisites to the preparation of the prospectus of the doctoral dissertation. Additionally, students may take course work within and outside the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Professional Practicum (4 hours) Professional practicum experiences are designed to give direct experience with, at least, two of the following professional areas: teaching, clinical supervision and administration. These may be repeated but only 4 hours count toward degree requirements. Dissertation (21 hours) Total: 66 hours NOTE: The above represent minimum requirements. A student, with approval or recommendation of the graduate faculty, may take additional course work in a specific area if it is needed to support the student's specialization area or to obtain knowledge in an ancillary area. The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Communication Sciences and Disorders requires a minimum of 66 semester hours of approved graduate course work beyond the Master’s Speech-Language Pathology degree and a minimum of 50 hours beyond the Doctor of Audiology degree. Refer to the doctoral handbook for specific requirements. Ph.D. Application vi INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT Application Deadlines Application deadlines are subject to change annually. It is recommended that applicants check the department web site. Applications for Track One of the Ph.D. program are accepted at any time and enrollment can begin any semester. Applications for the Track Two program are accepted after November 1 during the student’s first year of the MSSLP program or second year of the Au.D. program. The deadline for receipt of all application materials for the Track Two program is February 1. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Application Fee • The application fee is a non-refundable fee of $85. • The fee must accompany the application. • Checks or money orders should be made out to the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Application Materials The applicant is responsible for gathering the following materials, in addition to the application fee, and enclosing all within one packet that is mailed directly to our department. Incomplete applications will not be considered. This completed packet of materials must be sent directly to the department at: USA Speech Pathology and Audiology Attn: Admissions Committee 5721 USA Dr. North, HAHN 1119 Mobile, AL 36688-0002 1. Completed application form for the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 2. Official transcripts from each institution attended since high school, regardless of whether credit was earned, must be sent directly to the department from the school that the student attended. Transcripts indicating that they were issued to the student will not be accepted. 3. Three completed recommendation forms are required. Two of these recommendations must be from doctoral level faculty within the applicant’s major field of study. The third recommendation may be from a faculty member from a department other than the applicant’s major, a university-based clinical supervisor or master’s level instructor, or a recent employer if the applicant has been employed in a related profession. These recommendations must be Ph.D. Application vii received in sealed envelopes, preferably with the referee’s signature across the seal. 4. A letter of intent, not to exceed one typed page, including a statement about the applicant’s professional goals. 5. An official copy of the student’s scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be provided directly from the testing agency. GRE scores must be no more than five years old. This is the one exception to the complete packet of materials to be submitted. At the time of testing, you can use the Institution Code – 1880. Or, send official GRE scores to: Office of Admissions Meisler Hall, Suite 2500 University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 36688-0002 Graduate Assistantships Graduate Assistantships are currently available for the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Assistantships consist of a stipend determined by the University and a tuition waiver of 10 credits per semester. Students with a tuition waiver are responsible for paying for credits that exceed 10. Graduate assistantship recipients work for the department 20 hours weekly each semester. The Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship application form (GS Form #12) is included in this packet. If you would like to be considered for an assistantship, you must complete the from at the time of application. The form is optional if you are applying for admission without interest in a graduate assistantship. Applicant Interview Applicants who submit a complete application packet and meet the minimum admission consideration requirements for the Ph.D. program will be selected to complete an applicant interview as part of the admissions process. A representative from the department will contact each applicant to explain the interview process and arrange an interview appointment. A campus visit is highly recommended for the interview; however, other arrangements will be considered based on availability of the applicant and faculty members. Information Should there be any further questions about this application process, please call the department at: (251) 445-9378. Extensive information regarding the program and faculty is located at the department website: www.southalabama.edu/alliedhealth/speechandhearing/. SEE NEXT PAGE FOR APPLICATION FORM Ph.D. Application 1 University of South Alabama Speech Pathology and Audiology 1119 HAHN, 5721 USA North Drive Mobile, AL 36688-0002 Phone: (251) 445-9378 Fax: (251) 445-9376 Use this form to apply only to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Applicants for the graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology, return to the department web site for online, computerized application. For the Ph.D. Program, indicate the desired area of emphasis: Track One: Speech-Language Science emphasis (no coursework toward ASHA certification) Track One: Hearing Science emphasis (no coursework toward ASHA certification) NOTE: Applications for Track Two of the Ph.D. program with emphasis in either Speech –Language Pathology or Audiology are eligible only to current Au.D. and MSSLP students. Track Two application forms are available from the department by request. For the Ph.D. Program, indicate the term you would like to enter the program: Fall Spring Summer Are you applying for an assistantship? Yes No If yes, complete the assistantship application (GS Form #12) Did you complete a Master’s Thesis? Yes No If yes, please enclose an abstract of the document. NOTE: Completion of a Master’s Thesis is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program. PRINT or TYPE all the information requested. Legal Last Name____________________________________________________________ Legal First Name_____________________________________ Middle Name_________________ Mrs Ms Other ________ Name Suffix: (Ex. Jr., Sr. III, etc.) ________________ Name Prefix: Mr Preferred First Name __________________________ Other Name (Ex. Maiden Name) ______________________ Summer Permanent To which address do you wish to receive mail regarding admission? Present Present Address: Street Address / P.O. Box ____________________________________________________Apt. ______________ City __________________________________ State ____________ Zip Code ____________________________ County ________________________ Nation: United States of America Other _________________________ Phone Number (____)___________________ Phone Type (Ex. Mailing Address Phone) _____________________ Secondary Phone (____)_________________ Phone Type (Ex. Work, Cell, Pager) _________________________ Summer Address: Street Address / P.O. Box ____________________________________________________Apt. _______________ City __________________________________ State ____________ Zip Code _____________________________ County ________________________ Nation: United States of America Other _________________________ Phone Number (____)___________________ Phone Type (Ex. Mailing Address Phone) _____________________ Secondary Phone (____)_________________ Phone Type (Ex. Work, Cell, Pager) _________________________ Permanent Address: Street Address / P.O. Box ____________________________________________________Apt. _______________ City __________________________________ State ____________ Zip Code _____________________________ County ________________________ Nation: United States of America Other _________________________ Phone Number (____)___________________ Phone Type (Ex. Mailing Address Phone) _____________________ Ph.D. Application 2 Secondary Phone (____)_________________ Phone Type (Ex. Work, Cell, Pager) _________________________ State of Legal Residence _______________ County of Legal Residence ________________________________ Email (your preferred email address) _ ______________ Additional Identification Information Female Male Date of Birth: Month ____________ Day ____________ Year _____________ Gender: Yes No Social Security Number: ___________________________________ Are you a U.S. Citizen? African American Filipino Native Hawaiian Ethnic Background (Optional): Caucasian Guamanian/Chamarro American Indian Hispanic Chicano Mexican American Other Hispanic Puerto Rican Alaskan Native Asian Asian Indian Asian Pacific Islander Vietnamese Other ______________________________________________ Married Separated Widowed Marital Status (Optional): Unmarried Religious Preference (Optional) _______________________________________ Yes No Relationship to Applicant _______________ Did any of your family members graduate from USA Are you a veteran? Yes No If yes, Vet. File Number :______________ Vet. Type: ____________________ Enrollment Information List below all colleges attended (including USA). Indicate dates of attendance and degree earned or anticipated. All institutions must be listed. You are required to have complete official transcripts from every school attended. Please arrange to have official transcript sent from each school mailed directly to the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the address of the front page of this application Name of College City and State Degree Major Dates Attended Mon/Yr Mon/Yr ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ WORK EXPERIENCE Employer Your Title Dates Employed Mon/Yr Mon/Yr ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ ______________________________________________________________________ _________to________ List any scholastic honors, awards or fellowships ________________________________________________________________________________________ Ph.D. Application 3 List the three persons who will be providing recommendations: _____________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________ Name _________________________________________ Affiliation _________________________________________ Affiliation _________________________________________ Affiliation No Have you ever attended the University of South Alabama before? Yes No USA Student Number: _________________ Are you currently enrolled at USA Yes All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Date Taken: _________________ Provide your scores Verbal: _________ Quantitative: _________ Narrative:_________ Yes No If not, what country? ______________________ Are you a citizen of the United States? What type of Visa? ______________________________ If you have ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, describe details on a separate sheet and attach it to this application. Background checks are required by the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, but some cooperating agencies associated with students’ clinical placements require student externs to pass a drug screening. Our department also require students to have completed Hepatitis B vaccinations and to undergo regular screening for Tuberculosis. If accepted the background check and vaccination paperwork will be sent to you. Fee: $85.00. Paid by all Applicants. Indicate form of payment: check money order Sign and date your application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to acquire and submit to the Department: the application form, fee, transcripts, recommendations, and letter of intent. The GRE scores must be submitted directly to the University. See the instructions section for details. I certify that the information PROVIDED is true and complete; I understand that withholding information requested, with the exception of information designated as optional, or giving false information may make me ineligible for admission and enrollment. I also certify that, if I am a male born on or after January 1, 1960, I comply with the provisions of the United States Military Selective Service Board or that I am not yet 18 years of age and I will register when required or that I am not required by law to register (this certification is required by State of Alabama Legislature Act 91-584). Signature of Applicant: _______________________________________________ Date: _____________________ Ph.D. Application 4 Recommendation Form Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology University of South Alabama 1119 HAHN, 5721 USA Drive North Mobile, AL 36688-0002 (251) 445-9378 TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT Applicant's name: ______________________________________________________________ First Middle Last Under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you may decide whether letters of reference written at your request are to be held confidential or whether they are to be available for your personal inspection. Check one of the following statements and place your signature in the space provided so that the referee will be advised of your choice. _____ Confidential file. I grant permission for this letter of recommendation to be held confidential by the University of South Alabama. _____ Open file. I retain the choice of having letters of reference available to me. _______________________________________________ Signature of Applicant _____________________ Date ================================================================================ TO BE COMPLETED BY REFEREE You may wish to make additional comments by letter. If so, please attach your letter to this form so that the department may identify the applicant's choice with respect to the right of access under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Return this recommendation directly to the student in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal. 1. Knowledge of the Applicant: Approximately how long have you known this applicant? ___________________ How well do you feel you know the applicant? Casually _________ Well ________ Very Well ___________ What was the nature of your contact(s) with the applicant? Teacher______ Research Advisor_______ Major Advisor__________ Other (specify): PLEASE COMPLETE THE NEXT PAGE Employer_________ Ph.D. Application 5 2. Evaluation: In comparison with other students in the same field who have the same amount of experience and training, I rate this person as follows: Top Top Top Upper Lower Unable 5% 10% 20% 50% 50% to Rate General Academic Ability Knowledge in subject of proposed study Ability to grasp new concepts Originality, intellectual creativity Mathematical and logical thought Written expression Oral expression Stability and maturity Potential for successful graduate work Potential as a teacher (if applicable) Potential as a research (if applicable) 3. Recommendation: Considering this applicant's abilities, please indicate your recommendation: _______ Recommend strongly _______ Recommend _______ Recommend with reservation _______ Cannot recommend 4. Please add any comments that you feel will assist in evaluating the applicant's potential to pursue graduate study. Name of Referee (please print): __________________________________________________________ Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: _____________ Title: __________________________________ Organization: _________________________________ City, state, zip code: ___________________________________________________________________ Phone number: ____________________________ Return this recommendation directly to the student in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal. Ph.D. Application 6 Checklist for Applicants Have you accumulated and sent, as a packet, the following materials directly to the USA Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology? Completed Application Form Application Fee of $85 Three recommendations in sealed envelopes One page Letter of Intent Application for Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship (optional) Abstract from Master’s Thesis (optional) Have you completed the GRE and arranged for the scores to be sent directly to the University (School code 1880)? Have you arranged to have all official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent directly to the USA Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology? Transcripts must be sent from the school to the school; they cannot say “issued to student.” GS Form #12 Page 1 of 2: This section must be completed by applicant. 04/13 Clear Form UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP Type of Assistantship Applying For: Graduate Research Assistantship – primary duties concerned with research Graduate Teaching Assistantship - classroom instruction duties as well as other academic support duties (dept. must submit qualifications portfolio) Graduate Assistantship –graduate departmental duties not directly involving teaching or research Other - (include Explanation) NAME CURRENT ADDRESS CITY HOME PHONE JNUMBER SSN APT. NO. STATE CELL PHONE SEMESTER/YR ADMITTED ZIP E-MAIL COLLEGE DEPT LOCATION DATES ATTENDED LOCATION DATES EDUCATION COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY DEGREE/MAJOR WORK EXPERIENCE EMPLOYER POSITION ACADEMIC HONORS/PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES/ SPECIAL SKILLS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE HONORS ACTIVITIES SKILLS REFERENCES-Applicant is responsible for contacting the listed references and having letters of recommendation sent to the department to be forwarded to the graduate school in a complete application packet. NAME TITLE ADDRESS How will this graduate assistantship further your career goals? Applicant Signature:_______________________________________Date:____________________________ TELEPHONE GS Form #12 Page 2 of 2: This section must be completed by the Department/College in order to be processed. Applicant Name 04/13 JNumber Appointment Requested: Reappointment New Appointment Period of Appointment (semester/year): To begin Through / _/ Amount of Assistantship $ Appointment Type and Source of Funds (check/fill-in all applicable information) Appointment Type Source of Funds-Stipend Fund Number Source of Funds-Tuition Research Graduate School Graduate School Teaching Grant/ Contract Grant Contract Administrative College/Department College/Department Fund Number Please enter fund number (fund-org-prog) to charge if not funded by graduate school. Comments: Current Academic Status Regular Provisional ( check one). APPROVALS: Department Chair Date Director of Graduate Studies Date Dean of the Graduate School Date NOTE: The following supporting materials must be attached to this recommendation for GA & GRA application: ST 1. Student transcripts or grade reports (NEEDED FOR 1 TIME APPOINTMENT AND BEGINNING OF ACADEMIC YEAR FOR REAPPOINTMENTS). 2. Three letters of recommendation (needed for first time appointments). Students should contact references to request letters. 3. Graduate Personnel Action Form (needed for EACH appointment). To comply with SACS requirements the following supporting materials in portfolio format must be *submitted for the GTA application: 1. Cover page, listing: Institution (University of South Alabama) Academic Program (Graduate Major) Graduate Teaching Assistant’s Name Supervising Faculty Member’s Name 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. Course syllabi for courses the GTA has been approved to teach at the University of South Alabama 4. **Official Transcripts *Please submit the requested information in a PDF labeled as: firstnamelastname_collegeabbreviation_departmentabbreviationportfolio.pdf (EX: JillSmith_AS_HYportfolio.pdf **Official transcripts (not issued to student) must be submitted directly to the Graduate School Office for all earned degrees and coursework. (GTA must have earned at least 18 graduate semester hours in their teaching discipline)