Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

Coursework and clinical rotations develop knowledge and hands-on skills across communication, cognition and swallowing disorders. Example course topics listed by the programme include:

• Motor Speech Disorders
• Dysphagia (Swallowing Disorders)
• Speech Sound Disorders
• Diagnostic/Therapeutic Theory in SLP
• Aphasia

Program-specific clinical and training experiences include basic FEES training for swallow evaluations, training in the SpeakOut! program (student expense), an international clinical placement (costs covered by fundraising as noted), and designated rotations to satisfy ASHA clinical requirements. Campus-specific experiences include a five-week Hospital Orientation Program (HOP) for Abilene first-year students with hospital simulation and preparatory skills, and a medical simulation lab in Dallas for dysphagia, tracheostomy and ventilator-related practice.

Entry requirements

The programme admits students regardless of undergraduate major but requires completion of leveling coursework for those without the appropriate undergraduate prerequisites; ACU provides leveling both face-to-face (Abilene) and fully online. Admissions are on a rolling basis: application reviews begin September 1 and continue until cohorts are filled, typically ending the first week of May. Students must meet the academic and clinical standards required for ASHA certification.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for clinical practice as speech-language pathologists in settings that include hospitals (acute-care and hospital externships are part of training), outpatient clinics, schools and other community-based services. The curriculum and clinical rotations emphasize skills relevant to evaluation and treatment of communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders; students also gain experience applicable to bilingual service delivery through the Bilingual Emphasis Program (Abilene).

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme notes specific funding arrangements where applicable — for example, international clinical placement costs are supported through fundraising while some trainings such as SpeakOut! require student payment. Prospective students should inquire with the department about available scholarships, assistantships or fundraising-supported opportunities and confirm costs such as published per-credit tuition for their entry year.