PhD Application Process

PhD Application Dates and Deadlines

(To begin program in Autumn 2025)

Sept. 15, 2024: Application opens

December 1, 2024: Application deadline for domestic and international applicants

Step 1: Connect With a Potential Faculty Advisor

Your first step in the application process should be an informal communication with a potential faculty advisor. To identify a potential advisor, review the bios of academic faculty members in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science. There is a search function at the top of the People page of our website, where you can filter by Academic Faculty and either AuD (Audiology) or SLP (Speech-Language Pathology.) You can also find a list of labs on the Research page of our website.

Contact one or more faculty members by email to express your interest in the PhD program, and specifically your interest in joining their research group. You should be prepared to share your CV or resume, statement of research interests, and grade point average. An on-campus visit is highly recommended and may be required by some potential mentors. If both you and the advisor agree that it would be a productive mentorship, then you should proceed with submitting an application--outlined in Step 2 below. 

Applicants who have not identified a member of the faculty who has agreed to advise them before the time of the application are rarely admitted into this program. If you cannot identify a prospective advisor, you may contact the Chair of the PhD Committee, Dr. Christina Roup, to discuss your options.

Step 2: Complete the OSU Graduate and Professional Admissions Application

The OSU Graduate and Professional Admissions application is completed online. The following application materials are uploaded via the online application process:

  1. A curriculum vitae or resume
  2. A transcript from each college or university you have attended. Transcripts uploaded during the application process are accepted, but considered "unofficial." If admitted, you will be required and instructed to have official transcripts submitted directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions office. 
  3. An autobiographical statement addressing the following topics under separate headings:
  • What research, academic and/or personal experiences have led you to your interest in the PhD in Speech and Hearing Science?
  • What are your future career plans?
  • What is your area of research interest? Which faculty member at OSU would you like to have as a mentor and why?
  • Do you plan to work outside the university during graduate study? Would these plans change if a stipend was available?
  • If you have completed a thesis or similar document, please provide us with a copy at the end of your statement. If you have been involved in published research, please provide a reprint of each published paper, and describe the nature of your contribution.
  •  If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.5, please explain and indicate factors that mitigate or explain these previous performances. 
  1. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically by your recommenders. You will be prompted for their contact information. It is strongly recommended that reference letters be written by faculty members, research supervisors, or instructors who can speak to your academic abilities and promise as a PhD student. 
  2. Test scores - the following should be sent directly from ETS to OSU:
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (international applicants only)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE General) scores are not required, however applicants may provide them voluntarily
  1. Application Fee - A nonrefundable $60 fee for U.S. students and $70 for international students is charged for each application submitted for graduate study. Your application is not processed until you pay the application fee and the fee is authorized. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted. You may be able to request a fee waiver on the application if you've previously enrolled in an Ohio State graduate or professional program, have limited financial resources, or participated in select diversity programs (McNair Scholars, SROP). Waiver requests may cause a delay in processing your application. It is recommended that you apply at least 10 days early to avoid missing your program’s deadline.

International Student Considerations:

International students should view these additional pages, provided by the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions:

Please note: International students who are admitted will be required to provide financial documents to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions as part of the student visa request process. 

Questions about the PhD program should be directed to: Dr. Christina Roup, Chair of the PhD Committee.

Questions about the mechanics of the application process should be directed to: Sarah Wendel, Graduate Program Coordinator