Exploring Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) & Audiology (AuD)

Health Professions Advising

Exploring Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) & Audiology (AuD)

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists work with communication and related disorders across the lifespan. Explore each profession, graduate training, prerequisite planning, relevant experiences, and the application process.

Communication Sciences & Disorders

Two professions focused on communication, hearing, and function

SLPs and audiologists often work with overlapping patient populations, but their clinical responsibilities and professional training differ. Students should learn about both fields and review graduate program requirements early, especially because prerequisite coursework in communication sciences and disorders varies by program.

Speech-language pathologists evaluate and treat disorders involving speech, language, voice, fluency, communication, cognition, and swallowing. They work with infants, children, adults, and older adults whose needs may result from developmental differences, neurological conditions, injury, illness, or other causes.

SLPs practice in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, early-intervention programs, private practices, and other community and healthcare settings.

Speech-language pathology may appeal to students who:

  • Are interested in language, communication, cognition, or swallowing.
  • Enjoy working closely with people over repeated sessions.
  • Want to understand how development, health, and neurological conditions affect communication.
  • Enjoy individualized assessment and treatment planning.
  • Are interested in healthcare, education, rehabilitation, or a combination of these settings.

Professional education

Entry into independent practice as a speech-language pathologist generally requires a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or a closely related communication sciences and disorders field. Students seeking ASHA certification should attend a graduate program accredited by, or in candidacy with, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

After graduate coursework and supervised clinical practicum, SLPs complete additional professional requirements that may include the national Praxis examination, a Clinical Fellowship, ASHA certification, and state licensure. Requirements for employment in public schools can also vary by state.

Explore Speech-Language Pathology

See the profession in more than one setting when possible. SLP practice can look very different in a school, hospital, rehabilitation unit, or outpatient clinic. Observation can help you understand which populations and types of work interest you.

Many SLP graduate programs are designed for students who completed undergraduate coursework in communication sciences and disorders. Students from other majors may still apply, but they may need prerequisite or leveling coursework before beginning the graduate curriculum or during an extended graduate program.

For example, Temple currently accepts applicants from any undergraduate major and offers a longer program pathway for students without a communication sciences and disorders background. Other programs may expect prerequisite coursework to be completed before enrollment. Students should review several programs early enough to understand which model fits their academic plan.

Common prerequisite areas may include:

  • Introduction to Communication Sciences & Disorders
  • Phonetics
  • Speech and Hearing Science
  • Language Development
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
  • Audiology
  • Statistics
  • Biological Science
  • Chemistry or Physics
  • Psychology, sociology, or another behavioral/social science course

ASHA certification standards include foundational coursework in biological science, physical science, statistics, and social or behavioral science. Graduate programs may also require additional communication sciences coursework for admission.

Because Villanova coursework can cover some of the broader science, statistics, and behavioral science requirements while communication sciences prerequisites may need to be completed elsewhere, students should research programs before choosing electives or planning post-baccalaureate coursework.

Observation and relevant experience

Programs vary in whether they require documented SLP observation before admission. Some programs specify observation hours, while others incorporate required supervised observation into the curriculum.

Experience in schools, disability services, healthcare settings, tutoring, research, early childhood programs, or community organizations can also help students explore populations served by SLPs and develop communication skills relevant to the profession.

Graduate Program Research

Many SLP graduate programs use the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Applicants complete one centralized application and select participating programs to receive it.

Choosing programs

Confirm the program’s CAA accreditation or candidacy status and review prerequisites, program length, clinical placements, cost, location, admissions requirements, and student outcomes. Students without an undergraduate CSD background should pay particular attention to prerequisite and leveling-course policies.

GRE and other testing

Testing requirements vary by school. Some SLP programs use the GRE and others do not. Check the current admissions page for every program on your list before registering.

The CSDCAS application

CSDCAS may collect transcripts, academic history, experiences, written materials, evaluations, and program-specific information. Programs may also require supplemental applications, additional essays, or institutional fees.

Letters of recommendation

Programs set their own evaluator requirements. Faculty recommendations are common, and some schools may also accept or request letters from clinical supervisors, employers, or other individuals familiar with the applicant’s preparation.

Applicants participating in Villanova’s HPA letter packet process should review the current cycle requirements and confirm how each graduate program accepts letters through its application system.

Interviews

Some programs interview applicants and others make decisions without an interview. If invited, expect questions about your understanding of SLP practice, academic preparation, relevant experiences, communication skills, and interest in the program.

Official SLP Resources

Audiologists evaluate and manage hearing and balance disorders. Their work may include diagnostic hearing assessment, hearing aids and other amplification technology, cochlear implant services, tinnitus management, vestibular assessment, hearing conservation, and rehabilitation.

Audiologists work with patients across the lifespan in hospitals, private practices, ENT offices, audiology clinics, schools, university medical centers, cochlear implant programs, hearing aid practices, and other clinical settings.

Audiology may appeal to students who:

  • Are interested in hearing, balance, neuroscience, or sensory systems.
  • Enjoy diagnostic testing and interpreting clinical data.
  • Are interested in healthcare technology and assistive devices.
  • Want sustained patient interaction alongside technical clinical work.
  • Enjoy working with patients from infancy through older adulthood.

Professional education

The entry-level clinical degree for audiologists is the Doctor of Audiology (AuD). Students seeking ASHA certification should complete a clinical doctoral program accredited by, or in candidacy with, the CAA.

AuD programs include academic coursework and substantial supervised clinical education. After completing the degree, graduates pursue state licensure and may also pursue the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A). ASHA certification includes completion of the required doctoral education and the national audiology examination.

Explore Audiology

Spend time with an audiologist before applying. Observation can give you a clearer picture of diagnostic testing, patient counseling, hearing technology, clinical workflow, and the range of patients seen in audiology practice.

AuD programs admit students from a range of undergraduate majors. Some applicants complete a communication sciences and disorders or speech and hearing sciences degree, while others enter from biology, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, engineering, or another field.

Prerequisites vary by school. Current AuD admissions pages show that many programs expect a foundation in science, mathematics or statistics, social science, and writing. Courses in hearing science, audiology, anatomy, physiology, or neuroscience may be required or strongly recommended at some institutions.

Common preparation may include:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry and/or Physics
  • Statistics or college-level mathematics
  • Psychology or another social science
  • English or writing coursework
  • Anatomy, Physiology, or Neuroscience
  • Hearing Science or Introduction to Audiology at programs where these courses are required or recommended

For example, the current Salus/Drexel AuD admissions requirements include basic science, physics or hearing science, mathematics or statistics, social science, and English coursework. The program also recommends hearing science, audiology, anatomy or physiology, and related sciences. Requirements at other AuD programs may differ.

Audiology observation

Some AuD programs require documented observation before admission, while others recommend it. Requirements may be modest but specific. One current Philadelphia-area program, for example, requires applicants to observe a practicing audiologist for at least one day.

Observation in different settings can help students understand how pediatric audiology, adult diagnostics, hearing aids, cochlear implants, vestibular services, and other areas of practice differ.

Graduate Program Research

Many AuD programs use the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Application procedures and deadlines remain program-specific, so applicants should confirm each school’s requirements before the cycle begins.

Choosing programs

Review CAA accreditation status, prerequisite coursework, clinical placements, program length, cost, location, faculty interests, admissions requirements, and student outcomes. AuD programs may also differ in the amount of exposure students receive to particular areas such as cochlear implants, pediatrics, vestibular testing, or hearing technology.

GRE requirements

GRE policies vary. Some AuD programs no longer require the exam, while others may accept or request scores. Review your school list before deciding whether to take it.

The CSDCAS application

CSDCAS may include academic history, transcripts, experiences, written materials, evaluations, and program-specific questions. Individual programs may require additional materials or institutional applications.

Letters of recommendation

Evaluator requirements differ by program. Faculty letters are common, and some programs value or require a recommendation from an audiologist. Review each school’s criteria before asking recommenders.

Applicants using Villanova’s HPA letter packet process should also verify how each AuD program receives evaluations through CSDCAS.

Interviews

Many AuD programs interview selected applicants. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of audiology, observation experiences, academic preparation, interest in patient care, and reasons for choosing the program.

Official Audiology Resources

Graduate education is followed by professional credentialing. Students should review current ASHA and state requirements as they approach graduation because certification and licensure standards can change.

Speech-Language Pathology

For ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), graduates complete the required graduate education and clinical practicum, pass the national SLP examination, and complete the Clinical Fellowship requirements. State licensure and school-based credentialing may include additional requirements.

Audiology

For ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A), applicants complete the required clinical doctoral education and pass the national audiology examination. Audiologists must also meet the licensing requirements of the state where they practice.

ASHA has approved updated certification standards that take effect in 2027. Students entering graduate school now should rely on the standards in effect when they eventually apply for certification rather than using older requirements as a long-term checklist.

Certification Resources

Comparing the Professions

SLP and audiology share a field, but the clinical work is different

Both professions fall within communication sciences and disorders and often collaborate with the same patients. Their assessments, treatment responsibilities, technology use, and graduate training differ.

Speech-Language Pathology Focuses on speech, language, communication, cognition, voice, fluency, and swallowing. Entry-level professional preparation is generally at the master’s level.
Audiology Focuses on hearing and balance assessment and management, including diagnostic testing and hearing technology. Entry-level clinical preparation requires the AuD.
Continue Your Planning

Research graduate programs early

Prerequisite expectations in communication sciences and disorders vary enough that early program research is especially useful for Villanova students. Compare CAA-accredited programs, identify any courses you would need before enrollment, and work those requirements into your academic plan.