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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Clinical Education & Experiential Learning

Clinical Education

A core component of the UW Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MedSLP) curriculum is clinical education. You’ll complete your clinical education at a variety of health care and community practice settings, such as acute care, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation, long-term care, private practice and outpatient clinics, and the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic. You’ll complete your clinical education in a variety of modalities, such as in-person services, simulation activities and telehealth settings.  

Our UW facilities include the following:

1. The UW Speech & Hearing Clinic (UWSHC) is a nonprofit clinical training facility for our graduate students that provides important speech-language pathology and audiology assessment and treatment services to our community. The UWSHC serves more than 1,000 clients annually.

2. The UW Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) is one of the nation’s largest interdisciplinary centers focused on those with or at risk for developmental disabilities. 

3. Our UW Medicine facilities: 

  • Harborview Medical Center is a comprehensive health care facility dedicated to providing care for a broad spectrum of patients, including the most vulnerable residents of Seattle/King County.
  • UW Medical Center – Montlake and Northwest have been ranked the No. 1 hospitals in Seattle and Washington state since 2012, providing multidisciplinary care to patients.
  • Valley Medical Center is the oldest and largest public, acute care community hospital providing comprehensive services to residents in southeast King County.

Practicums and Internships

In the MedSLP program, you’re required to complete eight clinical practicum courses (40 credits) to obtain the specified number of clinical clock hours required by ASHA.

UW Speech & Hearing Clinic Practicums

During your first year, you’ll do a series of clinical practicums within the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic. You’ll assess and treat developmental and acquired communication disorders across the lifespan and learn best practices in medical service delivery. This will prepare you for community-based clinical rotations in your second year. 

Medical and Community-Based Practicums and Internships

During your second year, you’ll complete four off-site clinical education experiences: three part-time practicum rotations and one full-time internship. This internship occurs in the final summer quarter, and you can complete it locally or nationally, depending on your interests and site availability.