Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Communication Sciences and Disorders

Selected candidates may be accepted into the Ph.D. research degree program. Each student's Advisory Committee designs an individualized program of study in collaboration with the student. The program can include graduate courses offered by the School and by other departments at McGill.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in SCSD have varied educational backgrounds, including both clinical and related non-clinical fields. Students who enter the program from a related field (e.g., Psychology, Linguistics) or without a master’s thesis complete a Qualifying year, which includes coursework and a research project. This flexible entry attracts independent scholars with diverse backgrounds and interests, which creates a stimulating and enriched training environment. The main component of the Ph.D. program (beyond the Qualifying year) has minimal required coursework and is structured to support students as they develop and pursue an innovative, individualized program of doctoral studies. Admission to the doctoral program requires identification of a SCSD professor(s) with relevant expertise to mentor the student in this process. Ph.D. students have the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary specialization in language acquisition through the McGill Language Acquisition Program, which intersects with McGill departments of Linguistics, Psychology, and Education. Our Ph.D. graduates typically pursue academic careers in universities or research institutes, but some work in settings that combine research and professional activities.