Disability Disciplines

The disability disciplines doctoral program focuses on producing the next generation of university professors and other national leaders in disciplines related to disabilities. USUs graduate program in disability disciplines is in the top 20 of nationally ranked programs in its category, according to U.S. News & World Report. All specializations have a common emphasis on providing students with coursework and hands-on experience in conducting research, writing grants, reporting research through writing and conference presentation, and teaching and supervising at a university level.

Specialization(s):

• Special Education: This specialization prepares graduates to become university faculty in special education. They receive the necessary training through research, scholarship, and teaching experience in the program.
• Applied Behavior Analysis with Individuals with Disabilities: Students in this specialization are able to practice a scientific approach to behavior therapy for people with disabilities in clinical and educational settings. They also receive the education and training they need to become university faculty in applied behavior analysis.
• Rehabilitation Counselor Education and Supervision: Students in this specialization prepare to become university faculty in rehabilitation counseling or agency administrators. Doctoral students gain experience in teaching both traditional on-campus and technology-mediated distance courses in conjunction with the rehabilitation counseling master's program, which is ranked among the top 15 in the nation.
• Disabilities Studies: Students in this specialization acquire a deeper understanding of the complexities of disabilities in the context of changing demographics and societies. Students are able to engage in research activities with individuals with disabilities to understand and provide solutions to these issues.
• Speech-Language Pathology: Speech-language pathology prepares students to work with individuals of any age who have difficulties communicating, learning to communicate, or feeding and swallowing. Students at the PhD level are prepared to work as university faculty and conduct research in speech-language issues.
• Pathokinesiology: The pathokinesiology specialization focuses on the scientific study of human movement (kinesiology) as it relates to any abnormal condition (patho) affecting movement and postural dysfunctions. The interdisciplinary program is organized around three core content areas: motor control, motor learning and biomechanics and prepares students to be productive in research and to pursue a career in academia.
• Audiology: This specialization prepares graduates to become university faculty in audiology. They receive the necessary training through research, scholarship, and teaching experience in the program.

Requirements for specific undergraduate and master's degrees depend on the specialization. All specializations require extensive experience and knowledge of the relevant field prior to admission. Students should contact the department for specific prerequisite requirements for each specialization.

• Complete the online application
• Pay the $55 application fee
• Score at or above the 40th percentile on in the GRE
• Provide official transcripts of all college/university credits
• Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation
• GPA of 3.0 or higher during most recent 60 semester hours
• Teaching experience is strongly encouraged
• Provide letter of intent

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Admission Deadlines

The department has the following application deadline:

• Fall semester - January 15

Students are required to pass a preliminary exam at the end of their first year.

In place of traditional PhD qualifying exams, students must complete all of the following:

• Perform substantial research
• Write and submit a publishable paper
• Give a conference presentation
• Participate in grant writing
• Demonstrate competence in college teaching
• Demonstrate competence in supervision
• Complete a systematic literature review

Financial Assistance

The department supports its graduate students with federal training and research grants. As these grants change on a yearly basis, students should contact the department for more information.

A variety of additional funding opportunities are available, including fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, tuition awards, and travel support. Additionally, students may be eligible for subsidized health insurance through qualifying assistantships.

Students who graduate with this degree are prepared to become faculty at universities, to work as administrators, or as high-level practitioners in their respective areas.

1. Visit Our Website

a. Go to gradschool.usu.edu/apply/ to start the application process.

b. Read all admissions requirements on our website.

c. Click on the “Apply Now” button to create an account to apply.

2. Fill Out Application

a. Fill out the following information:

i. Personal

ii. Demographic

iii. Misdemeanor/Felony information, if necessary

iv. Citizenship

v. Academic History

vi. Intended Program of Study Information

vii. NOTE: You cannot submit supplemental items until you have filled out all personal and demographic information, submitted the application, and paid the application fee.

b. Make sure to select the correct entry term (e.g., Spring 2022, Fall 2022, etc.)

c. Submit the application and pay the fee.

i. If you have a waiver code, use it in the discount code box to waive the fee.

3. Supplemental Items

a. Log back into the USU Recruit Application Portal.

b. Enter your application to submit items.

c. Required supplemental items may include, but are not limited to, the following (Please check with your intended program for specific details):

i. Transcripts

1. USU applicants do not need to send transcripts. We pull them from our system for you.

2. All other applicants, please send your official transcripts to the following address:

a. School of Graduate Studies

Utah State University

0900 Old Main Hill

Logan, UT 84322-0900

b. Please note that in order to be considered official, the transcript must (1) be sent directly from the institution to Utah State University, or (2) be forwarded by the applicant with the transcript remaining in the original, unopened envelope from the institution.

ii. Letters of Recommendation

1. Fill out the recommendation request forms. Recommendations must come from referee, not from applicant, to be considered valid.

iii. Statement of Purpose

iv. Test Scores

1. GRE Scores

a. Send to school code 4857

2. MAT Scores

a. Send to school code 2273

3. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

d. International applicants must also include:

i. Proof of English language proficiency through one of the options below.

1.TOEFL Scores – 71 or higher

a. Send to school code 4857

2. IELTS Academic Scores – 6.0 or higher

a. Upload student copy to application, clearly showing TRF number.

b. Our test score processor will upload official scores.

3. Completion of at least 24 credits of post-secondary/university course work taught in the U.S. in English, excluding English as a second language courses. Courses must have been taken at an accredited college or university to be considered for direct admission.

4. NOTE: Expired test scores will not be accepted.

ii. A certified English translation of any transcript originally penned in another language.

1. Due to COVID-19 constraints, Utah State University is temporarily accepting unofficial transcripts from international applicants. Upon admittance, students will be required to submit an official transcript before registering for classes.

iii. Proof of Financial Support

1. Affidavit of Financial Support

2. Bank Statement Copy

iv. Passport Copy

v. International applicants can direct any questions not related to the information above to the Office of Global Engagement.