Teacher kneeling and talking with group of students working on speech practices

Improve lives through the science of human communication

The UW Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences studies all aspects of typical and impaired human communication. We use our understanding of speech, language, hearing, and swallowing functions and disorders to improve the quality of life for individuals with communication and swallowing challenges. The department’s faculty are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields, and many engage in interdisciplinary research with other UW schools, colleges, centers and institutes. Students in our graduate programs, consistently ranked among the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, receive hands-on clinical training while providing free services to thousands of area residents in need of hearing, speech and language therapy. We are dedicated to promoting inclusivity in the field through training diverse clinicians and serving historically marginalized communities.

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Cunningham Hall
Student working with children
38 Leadership in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) Scholars, 2015 - 2021

Careers

Our undergraduate alumni can use their communication disorder training directly upon graduation in special education and paraprofessional roles in education, private practice, and healthcare settings. Students who complete our graduate degrees pursue a wide variety of careers in clinical service, teaching, research, and administration. 

Career Paths

A degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences can lead to a career as a(n):

  • Speech-language pathologist (SLP)
  • Audiologist
  • Researcher  
  • Educator with a special education focus
  • Speech-language pathology assistant
  • Audiology assistant / technician 
  • Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist   
Child with headphones

Training clinical professionals while serving the community

Our Speech & Hearing Clinic serves more than 9,000 community members every year. In the no-fee outpatient clinic, graduate students preparing for careers as speech-language pathologists work with clients under the supervision of nationally certified and licensed clinical educators. Students receive personalized training in assessment and therapy techniques, including the use of the latest technologies.

More About the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic

Find Yourself in Speech & Hearing Sciences

Study the science of communication to make a difference in the lives of people with hearing, language, speech, and swallowing challenges.

Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences Stories

Kate Krings and Amy Pace on the University of Washington quad.

Learning Parenting Skills — While Incarcerated

Speech & Hearing Sciences faculty and students help incarcerated mothers in a residential parenting program build a strong communication foundation with their child.

Young Leslie Jeanne Berns holding twins.

Connecting through Challenges

With a gift to Speech & Hearing Sciences, Lacey Berns is creating community for those caring for children facing communication challenges — and honoring her daughter.

Student role-playing with fellow student as physician

Preparing Doctors for Challenging Conversations

Speech & Hearing students role-play as patients with communication disorders to help med students develop communication strategies.