Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department
Making an Impact Through Communication
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences prepares students to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals across the lifespan. Our students learn to support communication, social interaction, cognition, and swallowing through hands-on experiences, high academic standards, and innovative learning opportunities. As a helping profession, we are committed to developing compassionate, critical-thinking professionals ready to lead and serve.
Majors and Minors in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Most students who pursue Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences are driven by a desire to help others as future speech-language pathologists or audiologists. We deliver high-quality, interactive learning paired with real-life clinical experiences—even as an undergraduate. These opportunities go beyond the classroom and prepare our students to confidently take their next steps in graduate study and professional practice.
Meet the Faculty
Communication is fundamental to human connection, learning, and participation in society. Recognized as a basic human right by the United Nations in 1948, this principle is central to Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.
SLHS students learn to promote equitable access to communication across the lifespan while working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and identities. Through coursework, clinical experiences, and community engagement, students develop the knowledge and cultural awareness to serve others ethically and effectively.
A cornerstone of SLHS is its commitment to community health and service. The on-campus UW–Eau Claire Speech and Language Clinic provides free speech-language therapy to community members of all ages.
Students gain hands-on experience supporting programs such as the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program, Gender-Affirming Voice Group, and pediatric and adult individual and group services. These community partnerships allow students to apply classroom learning while making a meaningful impact in the Eau Claire area.
You’ll build professional confidence, gain real-world experience, and make a difference—before you graduate.
Clinical learning is integrated throughout the SLHS curriculum, with classroom and hands-on experiences designed to build clinical competence, critical thinking, and professional skills.
Beyond the on-campus clinic, the department partners with regional professionals and facilities. Graduate students complete practicum experiences in diverse settings—including medical facilities, birth-to-3 programs, and schools—gaining broad, real-world exposure.
You’ll graduate with practical experience, professional connections, and the confidence to succeed in graduate study and clinical practice.
JustThe Facts
Blugold Stories
When I was looking at graduate programs for speech-language pathology, it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to top what I already had here. Nowhere else could beat the incredible faculty here. They care so much, not just about our education, but about their students as people. They are dedicated to our success and always go above and beyond to create opportunities for me to grow as a professional. It’s amazing.
The faculty and staff are truly remarkable at UW-Eau Claire — they care about the students as individuals and want each of us to succeed in any task we are performing. Not only are they great people, but they are incredible professors who want us to learn the content and not just test us.
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department
Human Sciences and Services 112
239 Water Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
United States
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