Speech-Language Pathology (Research)

Program Overview

The Rehabilitation Sciences Institute will prepare Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy students for a career in scientific research; i.e., graduates will feed the demand for rehabilitation scientists and academic faculty in Canada and the global market. Graduates will be expected to acquire autonomy in conducting research and developing an independent research program.

Quick Facts

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program will prepare candidates to have a career as an independent scientist; that is, graduates will feed the demand for rehabilitation scientists in government, industry, or academia in Canada and the global market. Graduates will be expected to acquire autonomy in conducting research and developing an independent research program. The program is designed to provide a broad knowledge of rehabilitation science research as well as advanced research skills and methodologies including acquisition of funding, formulation of research questions, discovery of new knowledge, data collection, analysis and interpretation, scholarly presentation, and publication and translation of knowledge for consumption by appropriate stakeholders.

The program is offered in the following fields: 1) Movement Science; 2) Occupational Science; 3) Practice Science; 4) Rehabilitation Health Services Studies; 5) Rehabilitation Technology Sciences; 6) Social and Cognitive Rehabilitation Sciences; and 7) Speech-Language Pathology.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc degree.

Fields:
1) Movement Science; 2) Occupational Science; 3) Rehabilitation Health Services Studies; 4) Rehabilitation Technology Sciences; 5) Social and Cognitive Rehabilitation Sciences; 6) Speech-Language Pathology

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must have graduated with a minimum A– from a relevant thesis-based master’s program, such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Speech-Language Pathology.

• Applicants must submit the following along with their application: a letter of intent, two confidential reference letters that indicate the applicant’s preparation and competence to conduct research, and curriculum vitae.

• Applicants may be counselled prior to admission and provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants must identify a faculty member who has agreed to serve as research supervisor. The research supervisor is expected to examine a completed thesis and/or manuscripts and university transcripts.

• Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the TWE

    • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 7.5.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

  • U of T School of Continuing Studies academic preparation: see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • REH3001H RSI PhD Seminar — Foundations of Professional Development (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit). Attendance is expected during Year 1 of the program.

  • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics.

  • 0.5 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis.

• A candidacy examination, with written and oral components, to be taken in the first 18 months of the program.

• Completion and defence of a thesis.

• Students are encouraged to participate in student and faculty research seminars in addition to their regular course requirements.

• Residence. Students are expected to be on campus and participating full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

Transfer applicants must:

• Be enrolled in the MSc program in Rehabilitation Science. Excellent students with high academic standing (normally a minimum A– average in MSc courses) who have clearly demonstrated the ability to do research at the doctoral level may be considered for transfer to the PhD program. Recommendation of the advisory committee is required.

• Successfully complete a reclassification transfer exam within 18 months of starting the MSc program.

• Successfully complete REH1100H Introduction to Rehabilitation Research

• Successfully complete a research methods or statistics course at the master's level.

• Be concurrently enrolled in REH2001H RSI MSc — Foundations of Professional Development (Credit/No Credit).

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • REH1100H Introduction to Rehabilitation Research (0.5 FCE).

  • REH3001H RSI PhD Seminar — Foundations of Professional Development (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • 0.5 FCE in research methods or statistics.

  • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics.

  • 1.0 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis.

• A transfer examination, with written and oral components, to be taken in the first 18 months of the program.

• Completion and defence of a thesis.

• Students are encouraged to participate in student and faculty research seminars in addition to their regular course requirements.

• Residence. Students are expected to be on campus and participating full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Well-qualified students with excellent research potential holding a BSc degree may be considered for direct admission to the PhD program. These applicants must:

  • Have a minimum A+/A average (GPA 4.0) in an undergraduate program from a recognized university.

  • Have previous relevant research experience, outstanding references, and a personal recommendation from a potential supervisor.

• Applicants must submit the following along with their application: a letter of intent, two confidential reference letters that indicate the applicant’s preparation and competence to conduct research, and curriculum vitae.

• Applicants may be counselled prior to admission and provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants must identify a faculty member who has agreed to serve as research supervisor. The research supervisor is expected to examine a completed thesis and/or manuscripts and university transcripts.

• Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

    • paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the TWE

    • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 7.5.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

  • U of T School of Continuing Studies academic preparation: see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. A minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • REH1100H Introduction to Rehabilitation Research (0.5 FCE).

  • REH3001H RSI PhD Seminar — Foundations of Professional Development (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit). Attendance is expected during Year 1 of the program.

  • 0.5 FCE in research methods or statistics.

  • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics.

  • 1.0 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis.

• A candidacy examination, with written and oral components, to be taken in the first 2.5 years of the program.

• Completion and defence of a thesis.

• Students are encouraged to participate in student and faculty research seminars in addition to their regular course requirements.

• Residence. Students are expected to be on campus and participating full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years