Published on September 1, 2015 by Katie Stripling  
inaugural cohort

Samford's School of Health Professions welcomed its first class of 20 students in the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program on August 17. Students represent eight states and possess baccalaureate degrees from 13 universities.

According to Margaret L. Johnson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, a consistent theme exists among the cohort—the belief that they are called to the profession. “These individuals have demonstrated that they are called to careers in Speech Language Pathology and they are excited to share Christ’s love with others as they fulfill their calling,” she said. “With these individuals caring for patients, bright days are ahead for our profession.”

Students spent their first two weeks on campus attending orientation, skills training and validations, and dove into the clinical portion of the program on August 31. Johnson noted that the clinical portion of Samford’s program is a distinctive feature of the curriculum. 

“Our students experience a variety of off-campus placements and on-campus learning experiences throughout their time in the program,” she said. “Increasingly health care is shifting to a team-based approach and at Samford we are committed to providing our students with numerous opportunities to learn and serve alongside health care professionals from a variety of disciplines. As a part of the College of Health Sciences, we are able to equip graduates with broad knowledge and experience working on collaborative teams to improve patient outcomes.”

Speech Language Pathology is one of many new programs being added in the College of Health Sciences, which launched in 2013. The college includes the School of Health Professions, as well as schools of nursing, pharmacy and public health.

Admission to the two-year M.S. Speech Language Pathology program is competitive. Prospective students are invited to join the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders for an Open House this fall. Dates for these events are September 4, October 9, November 6 and December 4. 

The M.S. Speech Language Pathology application for summer 2016 opens on September 17, 2015 and completed applications are due January 4, 2016. To learn more about this program and specific admission requirements or to register for an upcoming Open House, please visit our website.

** The master's program in speech language pathology at Samford University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of five years. For detailed information about the  CAA Candidacy Program  please visit the CAA web pages or contact: Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology; American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850; 800-498-2071. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.