Graduate program

The department offers a program leading to the Master of Arts or Master of Science degrees with specialization in speech-language pathology. The Council for Accreditation of Academic Programs (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accredits the SPHR graduate program. Graduates of the program meet the requirements for clinical certification of the CAA and are eligible for licensure as speech-language pathologists by the state of Oregon.

The graduate curriculum includes courses aimed at providing students with a solid understanding of the nature of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders as well as the screening, assessment, and treatment of those disorders. A second major component of the program consists of supervised clinical practica in which students work directly with individuals who have swallowing, cognition, and/or communication disorders, challenges, or differences. This type of activity enables students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom and acquire requisite professional skills by partnering with clients from different backgrounds and of all ages. Students obtain practical experience through department-based clinics and in a broad range of externship community placements, including medical and educational settings.