Speech-language pathologists help people of all ages and backgrounds with various speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders to communicate more clearly and fluently. Whether a patient stutters or has a hearing impairment, a cleft palate or a developmental delay, the speech-language pathologist must be able to provide compassionate, competent care.
With our rigorous academic curriculum and focus on experiential learning, the Speech-Language Pathology program in the College of Health Sciences prepares students to become highly skilled and knowledgeable health care providers, as well as adept researchers and academics.
Making sure your program is the right financial investment is an important part of the search process.
COST & FINANCINGUnique campus experiences within several clinics: Kitty DeGree Speech and Hearing Clinic, Community Language and Literacy Program, E.A. Barham Scottish Rite Clinic, Early Head Start and more.
Students learn from nationally recognized speakers in a wide variety of areas including stuttering, neurological disorders, language and literacy, and related disorders.
Graduate students have had a 100% pass rate on the PRAXIS Examination for Speech-Language Pathology for the last eight consecutive years.
Graduate students have been successful in gaining employment in a variety of settings within and outside of Louisiana for the last several years.
Undergraduates have had a 93% acceptance rate into a graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology for the last 5 years.
The ULM chapter does many activities for the community each year. This includes a fall festival for children with communication disorders.
Communication disorders professionals may find themselves working in research labs, schools, hospitals rehabilitation centers, early intervention programs, private practice, and nursing homes. The career outlook for this occupation is steadily improving as the U.S. population continues to grow and live longer. In addition, parents and teachers continue to recognize that many more of their students than previously thought are affected by a wide variety of communication disorders. These include children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Language/Learning Disabled, and Developmental Delay. Communication disorders can be present across the lifespan and in all ethnic and cultural groups.
Common career choices in the field of communication disorders:
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Audiologist
- University Teacher/Researcher
- Special Education Administrator
- Speech and Language Services Coordinator
- Rehabilitation Center Coordinator
- Owner of Private Practice
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- Specialist in Autism Spectrum Disorder
The B.S. program offers a strong foundation in the area of the university core curriculum, normal and disordered speech, language, and hearing development, health studies, social/behavioral sciences and gerontology. This is a pre-professional degree designed to prepare students for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
The M.S. program offers courses designed to prepare graduates for entry-level professional knowledge and skills as a Speech-Language Pathologist. ULM graduates are eligible for licensure in all states and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Master’s degree students may want to further their education in a doctoral-level program.
The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) program offers students who successfully complete a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology the opportunity to fulfill requirements set by the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology as a Provisional Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. Students who have a career goal to be a SLPA can obtain the required course work and clinical clock hours from a certified Speech-Language Pathologist under the direction and supervision by the Speech-Language Pathology Program at ULM.
Student Association, Scholarly Activities, & Scholarships
NSSLHA
The ULM Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) welcomes students majoring in Speech-Language Pathology. NSSLHA provides opportunities for leadership and service. Members take part in various activities on campus and within the community, such as the ULM Speech and Hearing Clinic Fall Festival, the annual Research Update Conference sponsored by Speech-Language Pathology, NSSLHA silent auction fundraiser, Conference on Aging sponsored by C.A.B.L.E., and Race for the Cure. The chapter also participates in Better Hearing and Speech Month activities each May. Recruitment occurs throughout the year. Officer elections are held annually in the fall and are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to being a member in the local chapter, students are also encouraged to affiliate with the national chapter. For more information about this organization, contact Jennifer Whited, whited@ulm.edu.
Scholarly Activity
Faculty members serve as mentors to graduate students conducting research that is subsequently presented at the annual Research Update Conference sponsored by Speech-Language Pathology and the ULM Research Symposium. The research is also submitted for peer review and is often accepted for presentation at state, regional, and national conferences. Students and faculty present research at the annual conferences of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Scholarships
Several scholarships are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels:
• Lynn Rowe Moore Scholarship of Excellence
• Lawrence J. Danna
• Sertoma Club of Monroe
• Lion's Club
• Dr. David Irwin Research Scholarship
Learn more about financial aid options: https://www.ulm.edu/financialaid/
Learn more about scholarship opportunities: https://www.ulm.edu/scholarships/
The University of Louisiana Monroe
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Monroe, LA 71209
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