Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in a related field and do not wish to earn a clinical master's degree, or if they have earned a master's degree or equivalent in speech and hearing science, psychology, linguistics or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

1. graduate admission application and application fee
2. official transcripts
3. application cover letter and personal statement
4. three letters of recommendation
5. resume or curriculum vitae
6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. International applicants are welcomed as this program has a strong record of training international students. For all applicants of graduate programs at ASU, English proficiency is a requirement. There are several different avenues to demonstrate English proficiency, including through previous academic experiences in English, standardized tests, or through online courses. Students should refer to ASU's Graduate College English proficiency requirements for more details about English proficiency requirements.

Professional letters of recommendation should be from three individuals who can speak to one or more of the following: academic performance, clinical performance, or potential to succeed in a research-intensive doctoral program. The letter writers are typically faculty, clinical or research supervisors. If the applicant has spent some time away from research or academia, it is still recommended to have some letters from those experiences, in addition to a more recent clinical or research supervisor.

In addition to uploading a letter of recommendation, letter writers are asked to rate the applicant on the following:

• academic performance
• analytical skills
• creativity and originality
• emotional maturity
• honesty and integrity
• intellectual potential
• mathematical and statistical skills
• motivation to complete a PhD
• oral communication skills
• promise as a researcher in the discipline
• working with others
• written communication skills.

Letter writers also are asked to respond to the following short answer questions or prompts:

• What is the context in which you have known the applicant?
• Describe instances where you have seen this person go above and beyond?
• Do you have any reservations about this applicant? If yes, what are they?
• Describe an instance where you have seen the applicant demonstrate technical, analytical or problem-solving skills.
• Would you admit this applicant to our PhD program? Why or why not?
• Please provide any additional comments regarding the applicant's potential.

The personal statement, typically one or two double-spaced pages, should include motivation to pursue a PhD with a specific faculty mentor in the program, evidence of potential to succeed in a research-intensive doctoral program, and goals for the future. Examples of evidence of potential to succeed include technical skills, clinical experiences, and research achievements and interests.

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (2 credit hours)
SHS 701 Scientific Writing and Presentation in Communication Sciences and Disorders I (1)
SHS 702 Scientific Writing and Presentation in Communication Sciences and Disorders II (1)

Concentration (12 credit hours)

Research (21 credit hours)
SHS 792 Research (12)
research methods and statistics (9)

Electives or Additional Research (28 credit hours)

Other Requirements (9 credit hours)
professional seminars (9)
preliminary exam (0)
comprehensive exams (0)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
SHS 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information
The concentration courses focus on issues related to translational genetics. These credit hours may be accomplished in regular graduate-level courses (500-level and higher) or in special topic seminars and independent studies. The student's program committee guides selection of these courses, which may be focused on a broad base of areas related to translational genetics. All doctoral graduates with this concentration are required to have foundational knowledge in genetics.

Students complete nine credit hours of SHS 790 Reading and Conference or other similar courses, such as CHS 791 and GRD 791 seminars. Students should see the academic unit for approved concentration courses, professional seminars, research and electives. Other research, seminar and elective courses may be used with approval of the academic unit.

The preliminary exam research project is to be within the field of translational genetics of communication abilities. Each student gives a formal presentation of their prospectus to their program committee. The defense for the preliminary exam research project includes a written document of the research project and an oral defense. This formal research experience during the first three semesters of the program provides students with a jumpstart into research, preparing the student for their subsequent dissertation research.

Prior to commencing dissertation research, the student must pass a comprehensive written examination covering their field of study, which must be orally defended.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 28 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the 28 hours of coursework is to be made up of electives and research.