CSD Graduates’ Perceptions (Crais & Savage, 2020) Elizabeth R. Crais Melody Harrison Savage 10.23641/asha.11991480.v1 https://asha.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/CSD_Graduates_Perceptions_Crais_Savage_2020_/11991480 <div><b>Purpose:</b> The shortage of doctor of philosophy (PhD)–</div><div>level applicants to fill academic and research positions in</div><div>communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs</div><div>calls for a detailed examination of current CSD PhD</div><div>educational practices and the generation of creative</div><div>solutions. The intended purposes of the article are</div><div>to encourage CSD faculty to examine their own PhD</div><div>program practices and consider the perspectives of</div><div>recent CSD PhD graduates in determining the need for</div><div>possible modifications.</div><div><b>Method:</b> The article describes the results of a survey of</div><div>240 CSD PhD graduates and their perceptions of the</div><div>challenges and facilitators to completing a PhD degree;</div><div>the quality of their preparation in research, teaching, and</div><div>job readiness; and ways to improve PhD education.</div><div>Results: Two primary themes emerged from the data</div><div>highlighting the need for “matchmaking.” The first time</div><div>point of needed matchmaking is prior to entry among</div><div>students, mentors, and expectations as well as between</div><div>aspects of the program that can lead to students’ success</div><div>and graduation. The second important matchmaking need</div><div>is between the actual PhD preparation and the realities of</div><div>the graduates’ career expectations, and those placed on</div><div>graduates by their employers.</div><div><b>Conclusions: </b>Within both themes, graduate’s perspectives</div><div>and suggestions to help guide future doctoral preparation</div><div>are highlighted. The graduates’ recommendations could be</div><div>used by CSD PhD program faculty to enhance the quality</div><div>of their program and the likelihood of student success and</div><div>completion.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Supplemental Material S1</b>. Survey.</div><div><br></div><div>Crais, E. & Savage, M. H. (2020). Communication sciences and disorders PhD graduates’ perceptions of their PhD program. <i>Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups</i>. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_PERSP-19-00107</div> 2020-04-17 15:41:29 doctor philosophy PhD research academia communication communication sciences communication sciences and disorders perceptions graduates challenges faciliatators teaching job readiness career data matchmaking success graduation students faculty Communication Studies