The MedSLP program is designed to provide a focused, advanced course of study for students planning to work as Speech-Language Pathologists in medical settings. The practice of speech-language pathology has undergone extraordinary growth in scope and complexity, particularly in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. Graduates of the MedSLP program will be especially well-qualified for positions across these various clinical settings.

Students completing the MedSLP program obtain a Masters of Science degree from the University of Washington and are eligible to receive the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).

The UW MedSLP program is distinguished by its innovative second and third years. The second year includes enhanced coursework significant to the practice of medical speech-language pathology and a series of clinical practica placements within community settings.

The third year includes the Clinical Fellowship (CF) spent in one or more clinical facilities, and focused on qualifying students for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). In addition, students attend a weekly evening course, the Clinical Forum, which provides an opportunity for discussion and expert consultation, greatly enriching the student’s clinical fellowship experience.

MedSLP students learn to approach speech-language pathology as clinical scientists, using methods grounded in evidence-based practice and the clinical literature. Students learn to formulate and address clinical and theoretical questions, exploiting the full range of informatics to best serve their patients. Principles of evidence-based practice provide the foundation for clinical decision-making that incorporates the best available evidence, as well as a sensitivity to each patient’s individual needs.