About Us

SLHS Leadership Team

Our History

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) was founded in 1935 by Professor M. D. Steer, one of the first doctoral students trained in the then new discipline of human communication sciences and disorders. Originally located in University Hall, the department's primary function was to provide speech therapy to university students. A year later, an undergraduate academic training program was started. The graduate program began in 1940 and our first doctoral degree was granted in 1948. The SLHS program was one of the first in the country to achieve accreditation in both speech pathology and audiology from the Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. We maintain a national and international reputation as one of the finest academic, clinical, and research programs in the field.

Mission Statement

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences emphasizes the study of human communication sciences and disorders. All aspects of communication – including speech, language, and hearing – as well as essential functions of swallowing and balance are explored through all stages of the lifespan. The Department provides excellence in education across undergraduate, graduate professional (MS-SLP and AuD), and research programs (PhD). Evidence-based practice and research are central emphases of all the department’s programs. As future clinicians and developing scientists, students study all aspects of normal and pathological communication, as well as normal and disordered swallowing, and balance. The Department embraces a state, national, and international character in its student enrollment, its reputation, and placement of its graduates. The mission of the department fits well with the missions of both the University and the College of Health and Human Sciences.

SLHS Strategic Plan