PhDs in the field

[combustiblecake]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if any of you are and/or are considering to PhD in the field. I've noticed that there seems to be a low faculty ratio compared to student ratio and it could be contributing to the competitiveness of the field.

Do you know if you could both research and provide services? (Sounds difficult but possible)

I know a PhD isn't for everyone and lately I thought that after clinical certification I could take that route and maybe organize a program for bilingual certification.

Maybe I'm dreaming too big but I just want to hear your output on this

[AMKersh]

I've also been seriously considering pursuing a PhD.  I know that many students do not consider it because, if your primary goal is to work as a clinician, the PhD is simply not necessary and does require a lot of extra work (obviously).  

 

However, I do have a strong interest in research, and I love the idea of contributing to the field at large as well as on the client-by-client scale. Also, many professors and other SLPs with PhDs in the field are now retiring.  (There was a huge spike in SLP studies in the 70s, followed by a bit of a decline, and the next big spike is happening now.)  This may be why those faculty/student ratio is dropping.  In other words - this might be a GREAT time to pursue a PhD, because the opportunities for research and employment will likely be available.

 

As for conducting research and providing services - it depends what your research interests are!  I think that in many cases, your clients/patients may actually serve as participants in studies.  In other words, you may find that you have a great set of research participants as a service provider!  Plus, there's always the option of providing services for a while, and then returning to research. 

 

I tend to be a big dreamer too with extremely high expectations of myself.  I think that for now, I'm going to take things "one semester at a time."  I'm planning to do a thesis project in graduate school which will help get my foot in the door in terms of research.  We'll see where the road takes me, but for now I'm going to pursue the M.S. until I have some more experience as a student in the field, and I'll see what happens with the PhD later!

 

Hope this was helpful!

[lookwhoslp]

Once you get your PhD I'd imagine that you can also be a clinician on the side. Maybe not full time, depending on how much time you're devoting to research and teaching, bu it's possible. At my university most professors still work in the clinic some hours a week.

[PsycD]

Hey guys!

 

I'll be starting a PhD program in the fall, and I seem to be the only one out of the GradCafe bunch this cycle who is doing so. I was admited directly from my BS program, so I will be skipping the Master's. I'm interested in research and teaching, not practicing, so the direct-to-PhD route was the best option for me.

 

I think AMKersh is doing the right thing by starting the MS and figuring things out en route. Some people love the idea of doing research until they actually have to do it...it's def not for everyone. I'd recommend getting heavily involved in research as much as possible during undergrad to help with the decision. It'll help you shape your future goals and make you a much more attractive graduate school candidate.

 

Good luck everyone!

[Papaya91]

I'm not sure if I want to get a PhD or not. It would be fun to be called Dr! Haha. But I'll have to get involved in research during grad school to really make the decision... I'm planning to do a thesis to set myself up so that I can do a PhD later on if I want, though. I really want to focus on working with people, though, rather than writing articles and such, so I don't foresee myself getting a PhD...

Unless, of course, our field becomes a PhD entry level field, and then I have to go back and get it... didn't that just happen to AuD's or something?

[flnjslp]

I went to an information session/round table discussion today on CSD PhDs. It was really interesting.

 

I've been debating getting my PhD. I will be graduating with a certificate in Undergraduate Research (a series of 6 classes and research assistantships) and am currently finishing up my Honors Thesis. I really enjoy doing research most of the time. I have three juniors who report to me, which is fun But I'm not sure I could handle four more years of school on top of the two years for my Masters. I plan on doing a Masters thesis to help me decide.