A Survey of Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Students' Research Experience and Interest in A Master's Thesis and PhD Degree

Abstract

Despite the shortage of PhDs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), limited research has focused on undergraduate student research in the field and interest in completing a master's thesis or PhD. CSD undergraduate students were surveyed to determine if they are participating in known opportunities for research and if undergraduate research experience is related to interest in pursuing a master's thesis or PhD. Invitations to complete the electronic survey were dispersed to undergraduate program directors of approximately 200 Council for Academic Accreditation–accredited CSD programs. Program directors were asked to send the survey to eligible undergraduate students, from which 309 chose to participate, and 275 completed the survey in full. Results indicated that although most students were aware of research opportunities, only 25% of respondents engaged in research. Approximately half of the respondents were interested in pursuing a master's thesis and over 1/3 in a PhD. The odds of having an int...