Samford University

What you'll study

The curriculum combines classroom learning with hands‑on clinical training. Core instructional themes include assessment and intervention for communication and swallowing disorders, evidence‑based clinical practice, and interprofessional collaboration. Students gain early exposure to clinical observation and progressive field experience across diverse patient populations and settings. Coursework and clinical experiences are aligned with ASHA certification standards and include mentorship from faculty and peer supports.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders or speech‑language pathology from an accredited institution and complete prerequisite coursework (biological science; physical science — chemistry or physics; statistics; and a social/behavioral science) within ten years of application. Minimum overall GPA is 3.0 with at least a 3.25 GPA for the last 60 credit hours. Candidates must submit three letters of recommendation (two from professors and one from a clinical supervisor or faculty member) via CSDCAS, participate in an on‑campus interview, and earn a grade of C or higher in any undergraduate CSD major course. International applicants and ESL learners must meet TOEFL (575 paper / 90 internet) or IELTS (6.5) minima. The program posts a priority application deadline of December 1; fast‑track interviews occur in late January with notifications in late February. Upon acceptance a nonrefundable $500 enrollment deposit is required. Applicants with disabilities should contact the university’s disability services for accommodations.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for clinical roles in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics and community health organizations. The program readies students for national certification (CCC‑SLP) and state licensure, emphasising real‑world application, ethical practice and values‑based care. Clinical placement support is provided by directors of clinical education and a contracts manager, with site options available nationwide.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Samford publishes a Financial Fact Sheet for the program and reports faculty involvement in grant‑funded work; students should consult the university’s financial resources for specific scholarships, assistantships or aid. The program highlights support for national certification and licensure readiness but does not list specific scholarship amounts on the course page.