From the Hart

2003: A New Year for Opportunity

January 2003

I hope that you had a wonderful Holiday and celebrated the New Year with family and/or friends. I'm always excited about the new year because it's the season to think about your future and goals that have been on the back of your mind, maybe a dream to work towards. It's the time when former students send me their letters of reference forms for me to complete and send off to their selected universities. Some want to enter Masters programs and some want to continue in doctoral studies. I enjoy doing these because I have to sit and think about these students and their character and qualities that help me write the letter of recommendation. Their achievements and hope for the future always inspire me. This is also the time I write my end of the year report to the university, outlining my accomplishments of the past year and goals for the New Year. I'm always amazed at how busy I can get and also how scattered I can make my life. Over the years I've learned to become more focused in my goals, but there is always that one project that gets at my heart and so my year becomes more interesting and yet more scattered. This year I'll be more focused.

What about you? Have you thought about your goals for the year? In the last couple of months the topics on people's minds are about where to get grants and where to get a doctorate. When it comes to grants, check with ASHA. They've got information about grant possibilities for education, research, and project development. But you can also go to the public library or the internet and get information. Most university and large public libraries have programs to help you locate grants that will fund your special project. Just remember to stick to the guidelines of the granting agency, don't make the proposal any longer than requested, and be realistic about what it is you want to accomplish. Usually, the first try isn't funded, but the comments are helpful for the 2nd and 3rd tries. Just keep trying and you'll develop your grant writing abilities and eventually get the money to accomplish your goal for your school, agency, or community.

So what about a doctoral program? I always ask students why do you want a doctorate and are you willing to commit your time and life to this for about 4 years? Usually the answer is no. I get a lot of requests for part time doctoral programs. Money, family, and commitments sometimes make it more feasible to go part time. Think about it, if it takes 4 to 7 years full time, why would you want to spend the next 8 to 14 years working part time on a doctorate? That means many years in class and the library and away from family. I went to school full time and it was the best time of my life. I guess I love roaming the library and reading.

I did pick up some information at ASHA from Darlene Graner and William Graner from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN & Carleton College, Northfield, MN respectively. Hope this helps you.

I hope you have a wonderful year and that your dreams and goals for the coming year come to fruition.

What percent of speech-language pathologists hold a Ph.D.?
  • In 2001, 3.6% of the 89,364 speech-language pathologists with CCC-SLP, or 3137, held a doctorate as their highest degree.
What are the job opportunities for a new graduate with a Ph.D. in speech-language pathology?
  • The majority of graduates take faculty positions, with a slightly smaller percentage accepting clinical positions. Some continue on to postdoctoral studies. Only 58% of searched faculty positions were filled in 1999-2000.
How many doctoral students graduate each year?
  • In 1999-2000, 8 research doctorates were awarded in speech and hearing sciences and 105 in speech language pathology. This is a 64% increase from the 64 degrees issued in 1997-98.
How many programs offer research doctoral degrees in Speech Language Pathology or Speech and Hearing Sciences?
  • In 2001, there were 60 programs offering a research doctoral degree.
What is the minimum Grade Point Average for most programs?
  • Seven percent of the programs had no minimum requirement. 90% of programs require a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
What are the Graduate Record Exam score requirements for most programs?
  • 34% of the programs have no minimum requirement. 64% of the programs require a score > or = 1000.
What is the percent of applicants accepted into a program?
  • In 1999-2000, 49% of applicants were accepted and 38% enrolled in a program.
What is the average time required to complete a research doctorate?
  • 26% of students complete the programs in under 4 years. 42% of students take 4 years to complete the degree and 32% require more than 4 years.
How do I increase the likelihood that I will be accepted into a program?
  • Identify programs strong in your area of interest
  • Contact a faculty mentor in the program
  • Visit the university before submitting an application
  • Be willing to relocate
How do I get more information?

Hortencia G. Kayser, Ph.D.
Professor

hartkayser@hotmail.com