Communication Sciences and Disorders

    Communication Sciences and Disorders

    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 1,272 / credit
    Next IntakeAugust 23, 2026
    Communication Sciences and Disorders

    About

    A nationwide shortage of individuals with Ph.D.'s in the communication sciences and disorders means that graduates are in high demand for employment in leadership positions in health facilities, universities and research centers. In addition to advanced course work related to communication disorders, students complete requirements in statistics, research design, hearing or speech sciences, a teaching/supervising internship, and dissertation.

    The Ph.D. program is individualized to the specific interests of the student while assuring a rigorous educational experience appropriate to the research-training and advanced knowledge characteristics of the degree. Students may be admitted to the Ph.D. program at various stages, including post-master's, post-baccalaureate and post-Au.D., depending upon the individual's career goals.

    Some students may wish to pursue clinical qualifications in either audiology or speech-language pathology while concurrently undertaking their Ph.D. studies. All admitted students will undertake an individually-designed program emphasizing research tools, research activities and in-depth exposure to a major area of interest supported by study in a minor area.

     

    Disciplines

    Health and Behavioral Studies

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Anyone who has or will obtain a Bachelor's degree from an officially recognized college or university outside or inside the U.S. may apply for graduate admission.

    Individuals who complete a 3-year bachelor’s degree from countries where this is a common standard are eligible to apply to graduate programs at JMU. An additional year of coursework is not required. Programs evaluate the courses completed by each student. In the rare case that deficiencies are identified, programs may require or recommend some specific preparatory courses beyond the normal graduate program to help the student successfully complete their graduate program.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 58
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 81

    Fee Information

    Application Fee 60

    How to Apply

    The online application will ask you to enter personal information such as your address and contact information; your academic and employment history; and other information that will be used for acceptance decisions. Requirements vary by program. Visit your program webpage to review your program's requirements.

    In addition to entering information, the online application may require you to upload documents such as resumes or personal statements before clicking the submit button. You will see a pop-up view of every item you upload. Check the quality and accuracy of your uploaded documents. Illegible documents will not be processed.

    Please do not send or mail items if we have not requested them. They may not be processed and may delay your application.

    Transcripts & Credential Evaluation

    Details regarding transcripts and credential evaluations from non-US academic institutions can be found on the Transcripts & Credential Evaluation webpage.

    Applicants should upload unofficial transcripts with their online application. If your transcript is not from JMU, OFFICIAL and FINAL transcripts demonstrating the degree has conferred will be required AFTER you are accepted into a program. Instructions will be in your acceptance letter.

    Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes. If offered admission, you will be directed and required to submit to the JMU Graduate School an official transcript from any institution from which a degree has been awarded to finalize your admission. Transcripts are considered official if they are sent to JMU directly from the issuing institution.

    Official transcripts can also be sent through an electronic transcript database provider such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or others. When using these services, please choose “other” or “employer” and use [email protected].

    Letters of Recommendation

    Some programs require letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are not uploaded by the applicant, but instead, they are submitted directly by the recommender. As you complete the online application, you must enter information about each person who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. We recommend that you contact your potential references before entering their names. The online application system will send an e-mail to each of the people you identify, and will ask them to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf directly to the application system.

    To check if your recommenders have sent their letters or to make changes, login to your online application, click on "Review Your Activity," navigate to "Review Page," then click on "Manage Your Recommenders."

    Officially accepted test scores and demonstration of English language proficiency

    If English is not your native-language, applicants must present evidence of English proficiency. Completion of an undergraduate program in which English is the primary language of instruction is considered good evidence of English-language proficiency. Individual programs may have specific requirements for TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other English language proficiency criteria, so check with your program of interest. Your application will be reviewed based on the evidence received with your application. Please follow this link to learn more details about English language proficiency

    Communication Sciences and Disorders
    James Madison University
    James Madison University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Harrisonburg

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