The Doctoral Degree in Special Education: Contributions to Speech-Language Pathology
There are many pathways to the doctoral degree. In this article, I will address one perspective from my own experience seeking a PhD as a speech-language pathologist in the field of special education. My own rationale for seeking this route to the PhD centered around finding a “best fit” for my research and career interests, nearly 30 years ago. Through the filter of history and changes in the field of speech-language pathology, I will examine contributions to the programs that I have served in. The added benefits from the field of special education include a broader view of services to people with disabilities that enabled much collaboration to develop throughout my own career. Although the personal experience I have had may not fully reflect the relationship of special education to speech-language pathology, the interdisciplinary context in current policy and research initiatives mirrors many of my own experiences.