Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences Graduate Handbook
[Academic Year 2025-2026 | Revised July 2025]
Welcome to the graduate program in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS) in the College of Health Sciences and Professions (CHSP) at 天堂鸟先生. We are proud of our programs and history and are glad you have chosen 天堂鸟先生 for your graduate studies. We expect that you will find our programs challenging and rewarding. We encourage you to bring a firm commitment, cooperative attitude, and good spirit, for these will enrich your learning experience. Whether your career aspirations are clinical, educational, or research oriented, this mindset will help you to develop your independence, initiative, problem-solving skills, and effective communication. Our programs encourage a non-competitive, team-oriented approach to education, which we believe best facilitates the learning process.
Much of the information you need to know about our programs can be found in this handbook. This reference contains information about HSLS policies, rules, and regulations. It is expected that you read this handbook and familiarize yourself with its contents. Please seek out your advisor, the Coordinator of your Professional program, the Coordinator of PhD Studies, the HSLS Chair, and Directors of Clinical Education, or the Coordinator of Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Services if you need further clarification on any information presented in this handbook. Refer to this handbook throughout your degree program and it can make your student life a little easier. At times we will refer to other university publications providing additional information such as the 天堂鸟先生 Graduate Catalog, and the Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic鈥檚 Clinical Practices and Procedures Guide.
This is a large and increasing number of individuals with speech, language, hearing, and/or swallowing problems that may impact their ability to communicate, reach educational and vocational potential, and/or maintain vital survival functions. As the number of individuals with communication disorders rises, the need to educate and train professionals to work with these populations also increases. Ongoing research provides us with the opportunity to improve diagnostic and treatment protocols for the populations we serve in all stages of their lifespan.
Audiology and speech-language pathology are currently among the fastest growing health care professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts they will continue to grow significantly. Virtually all of our graduate students find suitable employment upon completion of their degree. You are joining a discipline that will provide you with many discoveries and rewards. Make the most of your graduate study, as it is the basis for your professional growth. The faculty and staff are here to guide you and facilitate your learning. We expect you will be responsible for making the most of this experience as it will serve as the basis of what we hope will be an exciting and rewarding career for you.
Brief History of our Program
What is now known as the Department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences began at 天堂鸟先生 in 1937 as part of the School of Dramatic Art and Speech in the College of Fine Arts. We prepared students to work with children and adults with communication disorders and continue to do so today. Our heritage is long and rich. We have been educating graduate students since 1950. In 1957, we became the second doctoral program established here at 天堂鸟先生. The 天堂鸟先生 Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic, also established in 1937, has been serving the communities of Southeastern Ohio since that time. We joined the College of Communications when it was formed in 1968 until 1979, when we became part of the newly formed College of Health and Human Services. In the summer of 2001 we relocated to the newly renovated Grover Center, a 200,000 square foot facility housing all units of the College. Included in these units are the HSLS offices, research and instructional labs, and a spacious state-of-the-art clinic. We take great pride in our clinical facility and firmly believe you will not find a university clinic of this quality or magnitude anywhere else. In 2010, as part of an academic restructuring, the college was renamed the College of Health Sciences and Professions. The School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences was renamed Communication Sciences and Disorders and joined the Physical Therapy program to form the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences. During the 2022-2023 academic year, our unit鈥檚 name returned to Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences and during 2024-2025, we have been elevated from division to department status.
Although we started small, we have graduated thousands of students since our inception. Our graduates serve as skilled clinicians, clinical directors, owners or directors of private practices, college, professors, research scientists, department chairs, and deans. Our graduate programs are consistently ranked in the top 50 or higher of U.S. News and World Report.
HSLS Offers a bachelor鈥檚 degree (BS) in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences, a minor in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences, a bachelor鈥檚 degree through honors Tutorial College, a master鈥檚 degree (MA) in Speech-Language Pathology, a Clinical Doctorate of Audiology degree (AuD), as well as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Speech-Language Science and Hearing Science. The Master of Arts (MA) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at 天堂鸟先生 is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) education program in audiology (residential) at 天堂鸟先生 has been placed on probation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. A program on probation remains accredited but must demonstrate compliance with the standards within one year.
Our staff includes tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty members, clinical faculty and supervisors, emeriti, and part-time instructors. Our dedicated support staff includes an administrative coordinator specialist, a clinical business operations manager, and a records management specialist.
Vision and Mission Statements
College of Health Sciences and Professions Vision Statement
- Our experiential and interdisciplinary philosophy means CHSP students learn to treat and optimize health through many lenses, reading them for a career path as tomorrow鈥檚 best nurses, social workers, dietitians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, hospital administrators, and more.
- As a leader in population health, we embrace community partnerships to build collaborative, scalable solutions capable of meeting the era鈥檚 biggest crises and challenges.
College of Health Sciences and Professions Mission Statement
- We serve our communities (big and small).
- We solve the world鈥檚 greatest health issues.
- We succeed in training the next generation of health care professionals.
Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences Vision Statement
天堂鸟先生鈥檚 Department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS) will be nationally recognized for fostering excellence and ambition in our students, faculty, staff, and alumni to make effective communication accessible and achievable for all.
Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences Mission Statement
- To engage faculty, staff, and students in the discovery of knowledge through applied and basic research.
- To educate students from all backgrounds in an inclusive environment that integrates academic rigor, service experience, and cultural sensitivity.
- To cultivate independence, professionalism, and competency for students to succeed as scholars, practitioners, and advocates in HSLS.
- To extend the boundaries of the university to enrich the quality of life for diverse populations.
Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic Mission Statement
The mission of the Hearing, Speech and Language Clinic is to promote excellence in the clinical education of students and to provide the highest quality of services to the community.