PhD in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Our priority application deadline has passed, but we allow students to submit applications after that date. If you want to apply before the priority application period opens in October 2026 or want to begin sometime other than fall semester, we strongly recommend that you talk to your potential advisor about your plan. We do not give any special consideration or advantage to early applications.
To start the application process, please contact one of faculty members on our faculty directory to find an academic advisor. Tell them about your interests and that you're interested in joining the PhD program. It's normal to contact faculty members directly, so you don't need permission or an introduction from another member of staff. You may need to speak with multiple faculty members and have follow-up conversations, but once a faculty member agrees to advise you, you are ready to apply. Please note that a faculty member agreeing to advise you is NOT an offer of admission. Our program has limited space, so we do not accept everyone who has made an agreement with an advisor. Do not submit an application until you talk with a potential advisor and they agree to advise you if you are accepted. We automatically reject applications if no one has agreed to advise you. Please use the university's online application portal to apply.
The department conducts a holistic review of applications, which means that we carefully evaluate every applicant based on all of their application materials (GPA/transcripts; narrative statements, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and CV) to identify individuals who will contribute to the department’s mission and who will be successful in their respective programs.
For more information about funding opportunities, please visit our funding page. We also offer application fee waivers for first generation students. To find more details and request a waiver, please check our fee waiver request form.
If you would like more information, please fill out our inquiry form.
Program Selection
Campus: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
College: Liberal Arts
Program: Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences PhD
Instructions
Please review all the below application requirements to ensure you have the necessary materials.The department does not require the GRE and test scores will not be reviewed.
The application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens/permanent residents and $95 for international applicants.
First-generation students (none of your parents received a 4-year college or university degree) can apply for a fee waiver. Please fill out this fee waiver application form to request one.
The Graduate School offers application fee grants to McNair Scholars.
Admission to a UMN graduate program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the US or a comparable degree from outside the US.
International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. The department requires the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The exam date should be within two years of the graduate program start date.
Exemption: Test scores are not required from applicants who meet the Graduate School’s "Education" standard.
Official TOEFL Scores
University of Minnesota Minimum TOEFL Scores for Admission
During the TOEFL scoring scale transition, we will include the required scores according to both the old and new scale.
| Score Category | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Total Score | 79 (Old); 4.5 (New) |
| Writing Subscore | 21 (Old); 4.5 (New) |
| Reading Subscore | 19 (Old); 4.5 (New) |
Applicants must meet the University's requirements and the department expects a total score of 100 (Old)/5 (New) or higher.
The institution code is 6874.
Official IELTS Scores
University of Minnesota Minimum IELTS Scores for Admission
| Score Category | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Total Score | 6.5 |
| Writing Subscore | 6.5 |
| Reading Subscore | 6.5 |
Applicants must meet the University's requirements and the department expects a total score of 7.0 or higher.
Official IELTS scores can be sent electronically to the Graduate Admissions Office. When prompted, please select University of Minnesota Graduate Admissions All Campuses from the drop-down menu.
Other English Exams
There are other English language exams available through Duolingo, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and other organizations. While you can use them to be admitted to the university, you need an IELTS or TOEFL score to be eligible to be a Teaching Assistant. If you want to use an alternative test, please contact [email protected].
Transcripts and Credentials
Unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions are required with your application (under the Academic History tab). Do not submit a grade audit or summary. All documentation must be in a transcript format.
Please follow instructions on the Transcripts & Credentials page, as well as the specific information given on the International Student Resources page.
Two letters of recommendation must be submitted on your behalf from individuals who can speak specifically about your potential as a PhD student in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Examples of such individuals include, but are not limited to, instructors, professionals in the field, and research supervisors.
Do not submit more than two letters of recommendation, only two letters will be reviewed by the department.
You may submit your application before all of your recommendations have been received. Do not wait for recommendations to submit your application.
Address each of the following points in a single document (two single-spaced pages):
- What are your research interests and goals? Why?
- What research, academic, and/or personal experiences have led you to your interest in the PhD in SLHS?
- List the faculty member with whom you would like to work with, and why.
- What are your long-term career objectives/professional plans after graduate school?
- Why are you choosing the University of Minnesota to pursue your doctoral degree?
- What experiences tell us about your character and preparation that are not reflected elsewhere in your application?
Helpful Hints for PhD Applicants
- PhD applicants should contact individual faculty members within the University of Minnesota’s Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences prior to submitting an application to help ensure a good fit.
- We want to know how you can contribute to our graduate program; therefore, your statement should focus on how your undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional experiences have prepared you for our PhD program.
- In your statement, be specific about how you fit into the program. Talk about the work of specific professors at the university with whom you would like to work.
- Personal information is less helpful than your professional goals, which can convince the admissions committee that you are serious about doing graduate-level work. Providing anecdotes about how you got interested in the field is less helpful than demonstrating that you are prepared for scientific work.
- Show an understanding that a PhD is a jumping-off point for a career that a PhD prepares you for.
Address the following in a single document (two single-spaced pages):
Diversity of views and experiences is fundamental to the University’s mission, and the University’s faculty, staff, and students share responsibility for the collective achievement of this goal. What have you done to further your knowledge and understanding about equity, diversity, and inclusion? How have you demonstrated your learning?
Submit a 1-2 page resume or a professional CV that highlights your education, work, and volunteer experiences that are most pertinent to the profession.
Provide an academic paper or thesis for a previous course/program, or for publication, that incorporates existing research and/or original findings or ideas on an area of inquiry.
If you’ve been involved in published research, please provide a reprint of each published paper, and describe the nature of your contribution.