The purpose of this study was to determine what has happened, is happening and should or may happen to doctoral programs in speech. The study included a review of doctoral education in America and a discussion of early standards and policies. The 44-year period of the doctorate in speech, 1922-1965, was reported with special attention to the early institutions and doctoral recipients. Chapter IV examined the active doctoral institutions. Chapter V considered those aspects of doctoral education which related to students and programs. The final chapter offered conclusions, recommendations, and a suggested program of future research. The annual index published in Speech Monographs by Franklin Knower was used as the initial basis for selecting the institutions to be studied. The study revealed: (1) a predominant German influence on the early doctoral programs, (2) a total of 3, 067 doctorates in Speech and 38 active doctoral institutions in speech, (3) a trend away from large multi-area departments, (4) financial support for a majority of doctoral students, (5) training research scholars and teachers as the chief tasks of the doctoral programs in speech. Recommendations included: (1) A new index for more precise viewing of the development of programs is needed; and (2) Better methods of familiarizing students with available doctoral programs in speech must be devised. The study urged further exploration into doctoral education in speech and offered a recommended program for future research. (Author/CK)