Undergraduates' Knowledge and Interest in the Doctorate of Philosophy Degree for Communication Sciences and Disorders

Abstract

ASHA has projected a shortage of professionals in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) who hold a doctorate of philosophy degree. These professionals have expertise in the field and contribute to its development through research and the education of future clinicians. Efforts have been made to remediate this problem through increasing awareness of the shortage and promoting the doctorate degree to students. However, the knowledge and interests that students have about the doctoral degree are not known. To evaluate this, 985 undergraduate CSD students from across the nation participated in a survey inquiring about their perceptions, knowledge, and interests in the doctorate degree in CSD. Results of the survey indicated that students have limited knowledge and interest in the doctorate degree. Their educational backgrounds and experiences relate to their level of knowledge of the doctorate degree. Undergraduate students’ level of interest in achieving a doctorate related to their perceived knowledge of the degree, but not their demonstrated knowledge. Overall, opportunities that relate to doctoral careers should be promoted to undergraduate students in order to increase knowledge and interest in the degree.