Our Degrees and Certificates
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Speech and Hearing Science, the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) graduate certificate, the Master of Science (MS) degree in Speech-Language Pathology, the Professional Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
Our BS degree in Speech and Hearing Science is the preparatory degree for our MS degree in Speech-Language Pathology and our AuD degree in Audiology. The SLPA graduate certificate prepares individuals to work under the direct supervision of Speech-Language Pathologists in public schools. A Master's degree is the minimum degree required to be able to practice as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the United States. The AuD is the minimum degree required to practice as a licensed audiologist. Our PhD program is designed for training outstanding research scientists in the fields of communication disorders and speech and hearing sciences.
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
390 South 1530 East, Suite 1201 BEH SCI
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
801-581-6725

Accreditation
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) education program in audiology at the University of Utah are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
From the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Utah. The Department supports the mission and vision of University of Utah Health and the University of Utah by providing excellence in education, research, and clinical services related to the disciplines of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Our Department is an exciting place to learn and work. Our faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, who are advancing clinical and theoretical knowledge through their research in speech, language, and hearing. They are also strongly committed to providing outstanding educational training for our many undergraduate (BS) and graduate students (MS, AuD, PhD) concerning physical, behavioral, social, and other aspects of speech, language and hearing.
We are proud of our program and hope you find our website useful. Please contact us for more information.
Michael Blomgren, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA-F, Professor and Dept Chair
Our Mission
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders mission is to prepare highly competent and caring professional Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists. The department provides undergraduate students a strong background in the basic processes underlying typically developing speech, language, and hearing and graduate students world-class pedagogical and clinical experiences. As a preeminent research and teaching department with national and global reach, we are committed to providing an academic environment in which the highest standards of scholarship and clinical service are practiced. All faculty, staff, and students promote a climate of respect and equity that cultivates and sustains transformative practices in the classroom, clinic, and community.
Our goals
- Advance knowledge through innovative basic and clinical research and scholarship.
- Provide outstanding pre-professional training in speech, language and hearing science.
- Train competent and caring speech-language pathologists, audiologists, educators, and research scientists.
- Provide compassionate, comprehensive, evidence-based clinical services to the community.
- Raise awareness of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology and to recruit exceptional students to our programs.
Strategic Plans
Our current strategic plan was implemented in 2017. Progress through February 2020 may be viewed HERE.
Our previous strategic plan was implemented September 2012 and progress through December 2016 may be viewed HERE.
Contact us with questions about upcoming events and deadlines
Leigh Ann Benevides
801-585-0427
LeighAnn.Benevides@utah.edu
390 South 1530 East
Suite 1201
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
801-581-6725
Fax: 801-581-7955
417 Wakara Way
Suite 1112
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
801-581-3506
Fax: 801-585-6127
Our Graduates
We've tracked program completion, PRAXIS pass rates, and employment for our recent graduates to help you see how successful our program is.
Student Outcome Data
Learning Abroad Program
This one-week program will provide students with theoretical and experimental learning opportunities in beautiful Oaxaca City, Mexico.
Learning Abroad
Speech-Language Hearing Clinic
Department Staff

Sharon Benavides
Phone: 801-581-6726

Leigh Ann Benevides
Phone: 801-585-0427