Clinical Practicum

Graduate students in our Speech-Language Pathology MSSLHS program participate in providing direct services to the clients of the University of Texas Speech and Hearing Center (UTSHC) and/or in a research laboratory or institute of the Department, as well as at two or more externships (Advanced Applications in Clinical Practicum).

The mission of the UT Speech and Hearing Center is to provide state-of-the-art, client-focused services to individuals with communication disorders in the local and regional community. Students participate in evaluation, treatment, parent training, and consultation as appropriate to meet client needs. Services at the Center are provided by graduate students who are supervised by licensed and certified speech language pathologist. Graduate students progress through a variety of clinical rotations, gaining clinical experience with clients having a variety of communication disorders and ages across the lifespan.

Students seeking the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence as Speech-Language Pathologists are expected to successfully complete 400 hours of supervised clinical practicum within the nine major areas of professional practice in speech/language pathology. Hours earned will include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Observation: 25 hours

Clinical Practicum: 375 hours

Direct client service in each of the following:

  • Evaluation of speech disorders in children
  • Evaluation of speech disorders in adults
  • Evaluation of language disorders in children
  • Evaluation of language disorders in adults
Direct client service in each of the following:
  • Treatment of speech disorders in children
  • Treatment of speech disorders in adults
  • Treatment of language disorders in children
  • Treatment of language disorders in adults

Evaluation and screening of hearing and/or habilitation or rehabilitation of individuals with hearing loss.

Clinical Experience

 
Each student is required to complete two sections of the Knowledge and Skills in Clinical Science course and at least 2 sections of Fundamental Principles in Clinical Practice. These experiences can include placement in the UTSHC and/or in a research laboratory or institute wherein there is provision of direct clinical contact supervised by a UT clinical or academic faculty member.
 
Following successful completion of the two sections of the Knowledge and Skills in Clinical Science course, and, the two sections of Fundamenal Principles in Clinical Practice, students will complete Advanced Applications in Clinical Practice wherein they will be assigned an externship. Externship assignments are made by considering the student’s clinical needs, and academic and clinical progress.
 
The purpose of these clinical experiences, both Fundamental Principles and Advanced Applications in Clinical Practice, is to acquire and demonstrate competencies in nine major areas of professional practice in speech/language pathology as described in the ASHA SLP Certification Standards, and complete necessary practicum hours required for certification.  
 

More Information

SLHS student

Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MSSLHS)