Mission Statement

The mission of the section of Speech-Language Pathology is to provide high quality academic education, facilitate student access to a variety of clinical populations and settings, expand the scientific base of speech-language pathology through basic and applied research, and maintain student diversity and community partnerships.

The mission statement incorporates the general missions of the University and the School of Medicine and focuses them within the discipline of speech-language pathology.  As an educational program accredited in speech-language pathology, we strive to provide the academic background and clinical experiences that will enable our graduates to meet the diverse communicative needs of the citizens within a multicultural and metropolitan society.  The preparatory phase portion of the program supports students as they earn prerequisites to enter the degree program.  The core phase of the program provides didactic and clinical applications across the discipline.  It is also designed to prepare future speech-language pathologists who are ethical in the provision of services, as well as issues of cultural diversity (e.g., dialectal differences among speakers, deaf culture) and ethnicity. Our goal is to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art practices in speech-language pathology in collaboration with other disciplines and community resources in the Louisville metropolitan region. Finally, we see as our mission, contribution to the scientific knowledge base in communication sciences and disorders through basic and applied research on the part of each of our faculty.

The academic goals of the program are to:

• Provide a theoretical basis for the practice of speech-language pathology,
• Prepare students to enter the professions thoroughly trained to provide patient care using appropriate communication modalities,
• Present major philosophical points of view on issues in the field so students may integrate and formulate their own practice approach,
• Bring contemporary technology to bear in all situations where it is feasible and cost-effective with respect to patient care, record keeping, graduate student training and research, and
• Instill in each student the realization that continuing education is a career obligation.

The clinical education goals of the program are to:

• Provide competencies for state-of–the–art diagnostic and therapeutic techniques over a wide range of disorders in various clinical and educational settings,
• Partner with various community service settings to provide comprehensive evidence-based patient care,
• Provide practicum opportunities over a diverse clinical population,
• Instill in each student the notion that he/she is a member of a “team” of professionals each of who brings his unique skills and expertise to bear on the patients/client’s care, and
• Instill each student with an understanding of the broader cultural, social, political, and economic milieu in which they will practice as professionals.

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at the University of Louisville is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, (800-498-2071) or (301-296-5700).

Accreditation Dates: 5/1/2023-4/30/2031

CAA Complaint Process: Complaints about programs must: (a) be against an accredited education program or program in Candidacy status in speech-language pathology and/or audiology, (b) relate to the standards for accreditation of entry-level graduate training education programs in audiology and speech language pathology in effect at the time that the conduct for the complaint occurred, including the relationship of the complaint to the accreditation standards, (c) be clearly described, including the specific nature of the charge and the data to support the charge, and (d) be within the timelines specified on the CAA's website, HERE. All complaints must be signed and submitted with any relevant appendices via U.S. mail, overnight courier, or hand delivery to the Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850. The complainant's burden of proof is a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence. Complaints will not be accepted by email or facsimile.

The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD) recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). As a recognized Chapter, UofL NSSLHA benefits both undergraduate and graduate students interested in speech-language pathology through advocacy, fundraising, volunteer, and social events throughout the year.  

2023-2024 Officers

President: Hannah Stewart
Vice President: Payton Hendricks
Treasurer: Elisabeth Joiner
Service Chair: Brittany Smiley
Social Chair: Laney Miller
Secretary: Elizabeth Pike
Graduate Student Council Representative: Kelsie McHale
Preparatory Student Liaison: OPEN

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karen Barako Arndt

Student Achievement Data

Strategic Plan (2023-2026)