Speech-Language Pathology

UofL Speech-Language Pathology Department of Otolaryngology -- Head/Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders

Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Louisville is a well-established program that provides its students with comprehensive academic coursework and robust clinical experiences. Communicative Disorders is a Division within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders in the School of Medicine. There are two sections: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The Speech-Language Pathology program offers the Master's of Science (M.S.) degree and the Audiology program offers the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree.  All students are uniquely positioned to take advantage of ties with the Louisville medical community. Students, faculty, staff, and clients are treated equitably without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or political affiliation. The institution and program comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders pertaining thereto.

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).


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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 ProcessComplaints 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 education programs in audiology and speech language pathology, and (c) include verification, if the complaint is from a student or faculty/instructional staff member, that the complainant exhausted all institutional grievance and review mechanisms before submitting a complaint to the CAA. All complaints must be signed and submitted in writing 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 complaint must clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint and the relationship of the complaint to the accreditation standards, and provide supporting data for the charge. 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:
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:

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Strategic Plan (2023-2026)