Kent State University

What you'll study

• Core coursework: anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, phonetics, speech and language development, audiologic principles, and the biological bases of communication.
• Disorder-specific modules: assessment and management of articulation and phonological disorders, language disorders across the lifespan, fluency disorders (stuttering), voice disorders, dysphagia (swallowing disorders) and neurogenic communication disorders such as aphasia and traumatic brain injury.
• Clinical skills and practicum: supervised practicum in Kent State’s on-campus speech-language clinic and in external placements (schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and community clinics) to develop diagnostic formulation, therapy planning, intervention and professional reporting skills.
• Research and evidence-based practice: coursework in research methods, statistics and critical appraisal to support evidence-based assessment and intervention; options commonly include a capstone project, clinical research paper or thesis, depending on the student’s chosen pathway.
• Professional issues and interdisciplinary work: training in ethical practice, cultural competence, service delivery models (including telepractice), collaboration with educators, occupational therapists and medical professionals, and preparation for certification and licensure processes.

Entry requirements

• Academic background: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; applicants typically hold a degree in communication sciences and disorders or a related field. Applicants without a direct background may be asked to complete prerequisite coursework in foundational subjects such as anatomy, phonetics and language development.
• Performance indicators: competitive undergraduate GPA and demonstration of strong academic and clinical potential. Many successful candidates also present relevant practicum, volunteer or work experience with children or adults who have communication disorders.
• Supporting documents: letters of recommendation (usually academic and/or clinical), a personal statement outlining professional goals and experience, and an up-to-date CV or résumé. Some programmes request an interview as part of the selection process.
• Health and background requirements: clearance for clinical placements is required, which typically includes immunisation records, TB testing and background checks; students should be prepared to meet these clinical-site requirements prior to practicum.

Career prospects

• Graduates generally pursue careers as speech-language pathologists in settings such as public and private schools, hospitals, acute and long-term rehabilitation centres, early intervention and home-based programmes, and private clinical practice.
• Other career paths include work in healthcare administration, research assistantships, clinical education, voice clinics, swallowing clinics, and roles in communication-access and assistive technology provision.
• With appropriate certification and licensure, graduates are eligible to pursue clinical certification (e.g. Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology) and required state licensure to practise clinically.
• Some alumni move into specialised areas such as paediatric feeding and swallowing, neurogenic communication rehabilitation, fluency therapy, or continue on to doctoral-level study and academic careers.

Why study at Kent State University

• Kent State offers a programme that balances rigorous academic coursework with extensive supervised clinical experience through an established university clinic and diverse community placement network, helping students build practical skills across age ranges and settings.
• Students benefit from faculty who are active clinicians and researchers, providing mentorship in evidence-based practice and opportunities to engage in applied research and interdisciplinary collaboration across health and education departments.
• The university’s clinical training sites and partnerships in the surrounding region provide a breadth of practicum experiences, from school-based services to medical and rehabilitative environments, supporting readiness for a range of employment contexts.
• Kent State’s programme prepares candidates for national certification and state licensure pathways and emphasises professional development, ethical practice and cultural responsiveness—key attributes for contemporary speech‑language pathology practice.