Master of Science (SLP) Overview

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Since 1930, the University of Washington’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHSC) has offered an in-person, Master of Science (M.S.) degree on the Seattle campus that provides the depth and breadth of didactic knowledge and clinical skills required for the professional practice of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP).  Our M.S. degree program ranks 10th nationally in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate schools and is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Our graduate curriculum ensures you are well prepared to evaluate, treat and rehabilitate a broad range of speech sound, language, fluency, voice and resonance, cognition-communication, social communication, and swallowing disorders. You will learn to work effectively and compassionately with individuals who have multiple disabilities and/or come from diverse language, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our educational program will also provide you with knowledge of existing and emerging research and technologies, as well as the interpersonal skills to counsel and guide patients and their family members through the rehabilitative and treatment process.

Uniquely, our M.S. degree program is the only one designed to offer you both a rigorous, foundational education in speech-language pathology, as well as an additional curricular specialization in the practice setting of choice. With three degree program options to choose from, you can enhance your professional preparation in the SLP practice setting that best meets your employment goals.

All graduates of our degree programs are eligible to apply for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and earn a Master of Science degree from the University of Washington, with a curricular specialization in one of the following speech-language pathology areas:

Educational Speech-Language Pathology

Medical Speech-Language Pathology

Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology

Educational Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.-EdSLP)

When you complete the M.S.- EdSLP program, you will earn a Master of Science degree in Educational Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington and be eligible to apply for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). You will be qualified to work in any practice setting, but optimally prepared for entry-level professional practice in educational settings/schools. 

The M.S.-EdSLP program is a two-year, 7 quarter degree program grounded in the foundational processes and mechanisms involved in human communication and its disorders. It also provides a focused, advanced course of study in educational aspects of speech-language pathology practice from birth to 21 years of age.

This degree program is distinguished by:

1. Curricular specialization for professional practice in the educational setting. The degree provides coursework dedicated to autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, literacy disorders, cultural and linguistic diversity, public school SLP practice, and special education.
2. A series of dedicated clinical fieldwork experiences with our community partners in Washington public schools and/or early intervention sites. Students receive clinical training across the range of educational groups; early development, preschool, elementary, secondary education, and transition planning.  Each student completes multiple part-time clinical rotations and one full-time, culminating internship in the schools and/or early intervention sites.
3. Emphasis on interprofessional education/collaborative practice. Students have dedicated opportunities to collaborate with other education-based students and professionals in special education, applied behavior analysis (ABA), psychology, and counseling.

Importantly, the 7-quarter program (June graduation) positions students to meet the Washington-state timeline for SLP credentialing, hiring and training in the public schools.

Medical Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.-MedSLP)

When you complete the M.S.-MedSLP program, you will earn a Master of Science degree in Medical Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington and be eligible to apply for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). You will be qualified to work in any practice setting, but optimally prepared for entry-level practice in any medical or healthcare setting.  

The M.S.-MedSLP program is a two-year, 8 quarter degree program grounded on the foundational processes and mechanisms involved in human communication and its disorders. It also provides a focused, advanced course of study that prepares you for work as a speech-language pathologist in healthcare settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing, or outpatient clinics.

This program is distinguished by:

1. Curricular specialization for professional practice in medical and healthcare settings. The program provides coursework in medical speech-language pathology, traumatic brain injury, dementia, right hemisphere disorders, complex neurogenic disorders, and medical setting voice treatment/assessment, including application of knowledge within a medical framework.
2. A series of dedicated clinical fieldwork experiences with our community partners in local and national medical/healthcare settings. Students receive clinical education across a range of patient populations and healthcare settings including acute care, inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, skilled nursing, and birth-3.  Each student does multiple part-time clinical rotations, and one full-time, culminating internship either with an adult or pediatric population focus.
3. Emphasis on interprofessional education/collaborative practice. Students have dedicated opportunities to collaborate in the classroom and clinic with other allied health students and professionals including those in Audiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Otolaryngology.

Clinical Research Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.-CoreSLP)

When you complete the M.S.-CoreSLP program, you will earn a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington and be eligible to apply for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). You will be qualified to work in any practice setting, but optimally prepared to move into a Ph.D. program or research employment.   

The M.S.-CoreSLP master's degree program is a two-year, 8 quarter program grounded in the foundational processes and mechanisms involved in human communication and its disorders. It provides a focused, advanced course of study that prepares you for doctoral study in speech-language pathology or entry into any clinical practice setting.

This program is distinguished by:

1. Curricular specialization in clinical research. You will complete a 3-course statistical analysis series, research methods, and a research seminar in speech and hearing sciences. You are also paired with a faculty research mentor who oversees research training, lab work, and the execution of a master’s thesis throughout your two years.
2. A series of dedicated clinical experiences that support interests in working with either an adult or pediatric population. You will select either a pediatric or adult population emphasis path that aligns with your research interests. You will complete clinical training across a range of patient populations and settings, including a full-time, culminating internship based on your selected emphasis path. You will placed in a public school or in a non-school, community-based clinic or hospital internship.
3. Emphasis on interprofessional education/collaborative practice. Students will have dedicated opportunities collaborate in the classroom, research lab, and clinic with other allied health students and professionals including those in Audiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Otolaryngology.