The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHSC) educates students in the fundamental mechanisms and processes involved in speech, language, hearing, swallowing, and their associated disorders.  The Department faculty members play a national leadership role in education and research, sharing their knowledge of all facets of human communication, including the underlying causes of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan as well as the interventions with which to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by these disorders. The SPHSC Department currently offers students six degree options; one at the undergraduate level and five at the graduate level.

Undergraduate Program

We provide majors and post-baccalaureate students with the basic science and clinical background that they will need to pursue paraprofessional employment or graduate studies in this field through our B.S. program. Our undergraduate degree encompasses the study of human communication and its disorders, providing a research-based, academic foundation in the fundamental concepts and principles. The program also provides a foundation in the clinical processes used to identify, prevent, and treat individuals with communication and swallowing disorders, allowing students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a broad understanding of the field.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech and Hearing Sciences

Graduate Program

We educate clinical speech-language pathologists in evidence-based approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders through our M.S. programs.  We operate the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic; a clinical training facility for our graduate students that provides important assessment and treatment services to our community. We have also developed strong, long-standing ties to local clinical practice settings and clinicians, who collaborate with us in community-based clinical education for our students and use us a resource for best practices and continuing education. We also train future researchers and instructors who will carry on the critical work in our field through our Ph.D. program.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Speech-Language Pathology

Master of Science (M.S.) in Medical Speech-Language Pathology

Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)