PhD Communication Sciences And Disorders

The study of communication sciences and disorders focuses on the basic understanding in speech, language, cognitive-communication, swallowing, and hearing processes, as well as disorders in these areas. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) prepares students to become a speech-language pathologist, a health-allied professional who evaluates and treats individuals with speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders across lifespan, from infants to the elderly. The practice of speech-language pathology (SLP) requires a minimum of a master's degree in specialized area such as CSD and obtaining clinical certification and licensure. Currently, the CSD department is the only program in the State of Hawai i who offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in CSD and one of the few programs in the U.S. featuring preparation in a multilingual/multicultural environment. The time required for completion of the CSD program by an individual is two years (six semesters including summer sessions).