Academics
Welcome!
Dr. Christine Sapienza Chair SLHS
A very warm welcome is extended to prospective and current students visiting our departmental web page as well as to our colleagues around the country and world. The department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences reflects the university’s pursuit of excellence through its commitment to superior education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Pursuant with this mission, the department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences resides in the College of Public Health and Health Professions. Because of the breadth of programs at the University of Florida, a rich environment is available for the continued development of the department, as well as the creation of individualized programs of advanced study. Our students are enriched by courses in the basic sciences, public health and health professions and can access the liberal arts and sciences programs on UF’s extensive campus.
It is the department’s mission to strive for excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education in order to maintain its excellent national reputation for providing an outstanding education in both the audiology and speech-language pathology. The continued popularity and dramatic growth of the department at all academic levels and its ability to attract top-level graduate students to our rigorous PhD program reflects our commitment to this mission.
Sincerely,
Christine Sapienza, Ph.D.
Chair, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Read about the College of PHHP Vision
Academic Programs Overview
The Bachelor of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders: One primary mission of the department is to teach our undergraduate curriculum, preparing students for advanced study in speech-language pathology and audiology and the communication sciences or in an advanced professional area (e.g. law, medicine, business, education). The undergraduate curriculum emphasizes the principles and applications of substantive knowledge in both normal and disordered communication as a natural science and as a social science. The undergraduate major is designed to ensure that each student receives a diverse background in speech-language-pathology, audiology, and the basic sciences in speech and hearing. The major becomes a limited access program at the junior level, and so both native UF students and junior college transfers are required to apply to the department for admission to the upper division major.
For more information about undergraduate coursework in CMS click here or contact the undergraduate coordinators, for last name A-L Mrs. Betsy Vinson for last name M-Z Dr. Scott Griffiths.
Clinical Graduate Programs (MA, Au.D.): programs are designed for those planning careers as practitioners in the speech-language pathology and audiology professions. Both the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program and the Master’s degree program in speech-language pathology are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Graduates of both programs are well-positioned to apply for state licensure and professional certification. In addition to specialized education in one or more areas, a core program of theories, methods and research in the sciences and disorders ensures that each student will be prepared in the basic areas of speech-language-hearing.
For information about the Au.D program, contact Associate Chair for Academic Affairs and Graduate Coordinator, Scott Griffiths, Ph.D. sgriff@ufl.edu
For information about the MA program in Speech-Language Pathology, contact Program Director and Graduate Coordinator, Betsy Vinson, M.Med,Sc bvinson@ufl.edu
The Ph.D. program: The primary mission of the graduate program in the department is educating scientists and teacher-scholars who will help advance the speech-language professions as a science through teaching, research and clinical practice. Students, in conjunction with their Ph.D. mentor and supervisory committees, tailor their doctoral curriculum to meet their specific needs and interests. The strong interdisciplinary focus of our Ph.D. program facilitates the preparation of researchers able to both embark on innovative lines of independent research and participate in effective collaborations with scientists in other disciplines.
For more information about the PhD program, contact PhD Student Advisor and Associate Chair, Lori Altmann, PhD laltmann@ufl.edu