The Ph.D. degree requires 72 graduate credits, 24 of which must be in formal, didactic coursework, and normally requires four to five years of study. Up to 24 graduate transfer credits are allowed. Students must complete 12 hours of coursework in statistics and research methodology and demonstrate research accomplishments (e.g., conference abstract or presentation, manuscript submission) prior to the dissertation. Prior to graduation, students must meet the departmental publication and external funding submission requirements. Doctoral candidates present a minor of not less than 12 hours taken outside the department or from another subject area in hearing, speech, and language. Laboratory work and teaching experience throughout the program are also required as part of training. There are no foreign language requirements. The final year of the program is typically devoted to the dissertation.

Duration4 year(s)
Tuition FeeUSD 2,281 / credit
Next IntakeAugust 23, 2026
Hearing and Speech Sciences
About
Requirements
Entry Requirements
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Language Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS)
- Transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
English Requirements
- IELTSMin 7
- TOEFLMin 88
Fee Information
Application Fee 95
How to Apply
You may start a Graduate School application for one of the following degrees: PhD, MA, MS, MFA in Creative Writing, and MLAS. For any other degree not listed above, please begin looking at the list of disciplines and majors offered through Vanderbilt University.
Applicants with bachelor's or comparable non-U.S. degrees may apply to the Graduate School.
Hearing and Speech Sciences

Vanderbilt University
United States of America, Nashville