Students aiming to work with children and adults who suffer from speech troubles, hearing loss or other types of communicative challenges may wish to pursue a degree in communication disorders. Coursework might include internships and hands-on learning, as well as classes on sign language, anatomy, psychology and more.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.