Program Overview

The doctorate in speech-language pathology (SLPD) is primarily for students engaged in clinical practice who want to acquire additional knowledge and skills in a focused area of speech-language pathology. The emphasis is on being a good consumer of research, rather than on conducting the research, in addition to developing leadership skills.

This program usually consists of 18 months of full-time study, although part-time options are available. To be eligible for admission, students must have completed a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an institution accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

Note: this program admits students to start every other year, on years ending in an even number (2024, 2026, 2028, etc.).

About Us

This intercampus program in communicative disorders includes the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders on the KU Lawrence campus and the Department of Hearing and Speech on the KU Medical Center campus. The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing is housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, while the Department of Hearing and Speech is part of the KU School of Health Professions.