Speech-Language Pathology

Begin your academic journey to help people with communication and swallowing disorders under the direction of caring faculty experts.

View program details in our Academic Catalog

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, you are the professional of choice to evaluate and treat speech, language, voice, communication, and swallowing disorders for clients of all ages. Often speech, language, and swallowing disorders result after a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, or can be related to a developmental delay, Parkinson’s disease, cleft palate, autism, or other health conditions.

In our program, you will earn a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) degree and benefit from caring faculty mentors who are also expert researchers and clinicians. You will be prepared to improve the lives of your clients in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities. 

As a Speech-Language Pathologist, you will be called upon to:

• Evaluate clients’ level of speech, language, or swallowing difficulties;
• Identify treatment options;
• Create and carry out individualized treatment plans;
• Teach children and adults how to make sounds, improve their voices, and maintain fluency;
• Help individuals improve vocabulary and sentence structure used in oral and written language;
• Work with children and adults to develop and strengthen the muscles used to swallow;
• Counsel individuals and families on how to cope with communication and swallowing disorders. *

Midwestern’s One Health Initiative allows you to work alongside students and faculty members from many different disciplines while benefiting from research opportunities, modern classrooms, and the latest technology. In addition, Midwestern University’s Speech-Language Institute provides you the opportunity, early in your studies, to work alongside expert faculty clinicians to evaluate, treat, and care for patients.

By becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, you will be joining a growing field of qualified professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists is expected to grow by 18% by 2026, much faster than the national average for all careers. This is due, in part, to an increase in the aging population, recent medical advancements, and a growing number of children with language, communication, social, and learning impairments. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the high demand for speech-language pathology services creates increased employment opportunities and job flexibility.

A career as a Speech-Language Pathologist allows you to make a difference in the lives of your patients, while providing you a rewarding and fulfilling career. If you want a career with great flexibility and great purpose, Speech-Language Pathology is a perfect choice.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook Speech-Language Pathologists, 2018

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