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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We've got answers! Here are answers to some of our frequently asked questions.

Please view our frequently asked questions below.

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.

The doctorate in philosophy in speech-language pathology (Ph.D.) is primarily for students interested in conducting research and/or a position in academia or leadership in higher education. It usually requires four to five years of study to acquire this degree.

Students may be enrolled full-time or part-time in the program. Continuous enrollment each semester is required once coursework has begun.

Students must have continuous physical residency in Kansas for at least 365 days prior to the first day of class and prove that they are residing in Kansas for reasons other than educational attainment. Please reference the Office of the University Registrar’s website for the residency policy. 

This is not an online degree program. A student's plan of study can be personalized, and some courses may be available online via distance learning. However, the majority of courses are held on campus only.

The required evidence-based course sequence will be taught on the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas. Depending on the student’s area of focus, elective classes could primarily be on the KU Medical Center campus (e.g., anatomy and physiology classes, nursing classes, public health classes), on the Lawrence campus (education classes, psychology classes, applied behavioral sciences classes), or distributed between both campuses.

Applicants should have a solid direction for their concentration areas when completing the application. The selected areas must be a good match to the faculty and resources available in the program.

It is critical that applicants review the faculty backgrounds and areas of interest when considering applying to this program. Without a good match between the applicant’s interests and the faculty, even a well-qualified applicant will be denied admission into the program.

Potential applicants should investigate by reviewing bios for KU Lawrence and KU Medical Center faculty. Laboratory websites are also good sources of information.

Searching for materials published by faculty (PubMed, CINAHL, etc.) is recommended. Applicants should contact faculty members directly when a potential match has been identified.

The GRE scores are not required for the application to this program. However, GRE scores can improve the student's profile for the admissions committee.

Only a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an institution accredited by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association is acceptable for admission.

Sorry, this program does not provide provisional nor conditional admission status.

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

Applications are viewed holistically, thus the committee considers all pieces of the application; however, applicants are encouraged to take particular note of the following:

  • Academic performance
  • Research experience
  • Clinical experience
  • Leadership qualities
  • Problem-solving ability
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Evidence of diverse experiences

KU requires a 3.0 overall GPA for admission to a graduate program. In some limited cases, exceptional applicants may be considered for provisional admission despite a GPA lower than 3.0.

Students attend classes on both campuses, providing students exposure to more top faculty and the opportunity for expanded access to clinical training sites throughout the Greater Kansas City and Lawrence/Topeka areas. Students often carpool to the KU Medical Center for Monday/Wednesday class days and to the Lawrence campus for Tuesday/Thursday class days.

The number of hours spent on each campus varies from semester to semester. Students are seldom required to commute between campuses on the same day. There are occasional evening classes, but most courses are offered during the day.

Some students reside near the Lawrence and Kansas City campuses, but others choose housing they feel is halfway between them or on major routes between campuses. Designated student parking is available on both campuses with the purchase of a parking permit.

There is no student housing on the KU Medical Center campus. Most students live in apartments in surrounding neighborhoods and are responsible for arranging their own housing. Housing is available for students on the Lawrence campus. For more information, please see KU Student Housing.

No, not during the application process. Students are required to follow the background check procedure once accepted into the program and to complete it before enrolling in classes.

All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated before they will be accepted. Please see the information for international applicants page for more details about this procedure.

KU Medical Center is centrally located in Kansas City and easily accessible from I-35. The campus is located at the intersection of 39th Street and Rainbow Boulevard. Visit: KU Medical Center maps, parking and directions. 

The main campus of KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas, along Interstate 70. 

KU School of Health Professions