How long does it take the average student to finish their Ph.D., and what is the shortest and longest time (and why)?
The national average for receiving a Ph.D. in the social sciences is 6 years, and the average is somewhat longer for natural scientists. At UNL, we have a commitment to provide enough structure and support for students to finish more promptly. The typical length we propose for students to complete a Ph.D. in communication disorders is three to four years, including summers. Not many students finish in less time than this, since it takes time to develop necessary skills in classes, projects, writing, and research that are necessary for future positions. Almost all of the Communication Disorders doc students are full-time students, and this is a major factor in the speed with which they graduate. Special Education has many students who continue to work full-time while they pursue their degrees, and the length of their program has a direct relationship to how much time they can commit to the program. Since a Ph.D. requires intensive hands-on research and interactions with advisor(s) as we
