How do I identify a mentor?
One of our program’s strengths is that doctoral students work closely with a faculty member in a mentor/protégé relationship. First, consider your research interests. Next, review the list of potential in-department mentors and contact potential mentors whose research and teaching interests overlap with yours. During these conversations, feel free to discuss your ideas for inquiry and ask questions about their research projects. Part of the admission process is determining whether there is a good match between applicants and available faculty. Finally, after communicating with faculty, we encourage you to visit the University and our department. Having an opportunity to meet with individual faculty and students will assist you in your deliberations.
 
Can my mentor be someone outside of the Department?
In some cases, a student’s research may be supervised by a faculty member whose primary appointment is in another department; however, the student must still have an advisor whose primary appointment is in the Department.
  
What coursework is required to apply to the PhD program?
Students who wish to work toward the Ph.D. degree must have completed a bachelor's or master’s degree depending upon area of interest.
  
I don’t have a master’s degree. Can I still work clinically if I complete a PhD?
Students wishing to fulfill ASHA’s requirements for clinical certification should also apply to the MS SLP program (for speech-language pathology) or the AuD program (for audiology). This ensures that they will complete all of ASHAs Knowledge and Skills (KASA) requirements and have clinical spots reserved for them. A student who wishes to obtain clinical certification and a PhD degree should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for additional information.
  
How many students are in the Speech and Hearing Sciences PhD program?
We normally have about 12-15 doctoral students with major interests in speech and/or language dysfunction or normal processes, and about 10 doctoral students with major interest in hearing.
  
What types of financial assistance are available for PhD students?
We are normally in a position to offer financial assistance to outstanding applicants who have been accepted into the PhD program. The precise nature of these awards varies, depending on their source, but they usually entail tuition remission and a monthly stipend. Typically, teaching or research assistantships require a work commitment of 20 hours per week. More information on assistantships is available at http://www.grad.washington.edu/fellow/fellow_area.htm. In the later stages of the PhD program and after consultation with their research mentor, students are encouraged to apply for individual research grants to support their work.
   
What is life in Seattle like?
The Pacific Northwest is often described as the best of all worlds. Our mild climate, owing to our location on the beautiful Puget Sound, along with our proximity to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, means that you can be sea kayaking on Saturday and cross-country skiing on Sunday. Year-round hiking and world famous ski resorts are within easy reach of Seattle. Miles of bike paths, incredible on-campus sports and workout facilities, and the vibrant, energetic Seattle culture make the University of Washington a perfect place to study and live. The greater metropolitan area offers the full range of cultural and recreational opportunities you would expect, from the world class Seattle Symphony to professional sports (Seattle is the home of the Seahawks, the Mariners, the Storm, and the Sonics) and a friendly culture of community sports leagues. Clean air, a pervasive international flavor, and the natural warmth of the Pacific Northwesterner are all big draws.