Undergraduate Programs

Preparing for a speech/language pathology career

Speech/language pathologists research, diagnose, and treat communication disorders including disorders of speech and disorders of language. Audiologists evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in individuals of all ages. Professionals in both specializations work with children and adults in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, and private practice).

Education Requirements

A clinical career in speech and language pathology requires an advanced degree (M.A., M.Ed., or M.S.). A clinical career in audiology requires a clinical doctorate, i.e. the audiology doctorate (Aud.D.) or a Ph.D. A student aspiring to conduct research related to speech pathology or audiology as a speech, language, or hearing scientist must earn a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.

Certification and Licensure

Graduate programs in speech/language pathology and audiology prepare the student for the national certification exam and licensure processes, which vary by state. To ensure that students are ultimately successful in certification and licensure, graduate programs require the completion of specific prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level. 

Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for information on:

• Speech/Language Pathology Pathway to Certification
• Audiology Pathway to Certification
• Information on certification requirements

Pre-Professional Speech/Language Pathology Specialization

UD undergraduate students who wish to prepare for graduate school in speech/language pathology should major in cognitive science and complete the pre-professional speech/language pathology specialization.

Because admission into speech/language pathology graduate programs is highly competitive, we strongly recommend that students maintain a 3.6 GPA or higher. See the UD Catalog for degree requirements and course information.

The specialization provides undergraduate students with the prerequisites they need to apply to graduate school. While the courses are broadly recognized as the core and are essential to later success in graduate school, some programs also prefer that students have taken additional coursework; these additional requirements vary widely from program to program.

Minors

Although a minor isn't required, interested students may consider popular minors for SLP such as disability studies, psychology, human development & family studies, and Spanish. Students can take more than one minor, but should not over-stretch themselves with minors.

Clearances for Observation

Certification requires completion of supervised clinical field work including 25 hours of clinical observation. Some graduate programs require that a portion or, in some cases, all of those hours be acquired before admission. 

The pre-professional course sequence includes upper-level coursework that connects students with community observation sites as well as guided, virtual observation opportunities recognized as counting toward those 25 hours.  See your advisor for details.

1. For information about clearance processes, visit the Office for Clinical Studies with UD's College of Education and Human Development.
2. Be aware that the criminal background check (CBC) process, may take 6-8 weeks to complete.
3. Clearances MUST be completed by the first day of classes for courses requiring them.
4. Most graduate programs do not recognize observation hours completed outside of an academic course requirement.

Beyond the Classroom

• Pursue research opportunities, seek volunteer experience, work in a research lab. Students are strongly encouraged to demonstrate special interests related to speech pathology and audiology.
• Join UD's chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA). This is an organization for students interested in speech and language pathology. The group functions as a source of information about admission to graduate programs, upcoming speakers and events, volunteer opportunities and more.
  
• Visit the American Speech Language Hearing Association for a wealth of information about graduate programs, access to research publications, professional affairs, and more.