Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Scholars
Saint Louis University's Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Scholars program is an exclusive opportunity for freshmen to be guaranteed a position in Doisy College for Health Science's speech, language and hearing sciences graduate program after completing their SLHS degree at SLU.
The program allows students seeking careers as speech-language pathologists to gain valuable health care credentials prior to entrance into the graduate speech, language and hearing sciences program. This preparatory education, in conjunction with the speech, language and hearing sciences program's didactic and clinical curriculum, enriches the graduate's expertise and competence.
In addition, it allows students the opportunity for a rewarding health care career should they elect not to continue in the graduate speech, language and hearing sciences program upon completion of their bachelor's degree.
Learn More About SLU's SLHS Education
SLHS Scholars Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
SLHS B.S. Direct Admit Track Requirements
- Grade of B or better in all required SLHS coursework
- 3.2 Cumulative GPA each semester
- Minimum credit hours for graduation with B.S. is 120 total credits total including SLU Core and SLHS Major requirements
- 41 SLHS Major credits are required to complete the B.S. degree. Students may choose 6 total credits of electives from these SLHS courses: SLHS 1000, SLHS 1420, SLHS 4600, SLHS 4650, or SLHS 4900
SLHS M.S. Direct Admit Track Requirements
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and grade of C or better in all graduate courses.
- Students are required to adhere to the standards in the SLHS Student Clinical Handbook and must obtain at least 325 required clinical clock hours set by ASHA standards.
- Minimum credit hours for graduation with M.S. will include 49 SLHS Graduate credit hours. Students may choose 6 total elective credits from these SLHS courses: SLHS 5520, SLHS 5580, SLHS 5880, SLHS 5710, SLHS 5510, SLHS 5930, or SLHS 5990
Continuation Standards: If a student fails to meet the above requirements while in the B.S. program, they will not be able to continue in the SLHS Direct Admit Track. In this case they would move to the Standard Track and still be eligible to apply to the post-baccalaureate SLHS Program through the Pre-Select application or Standard application method.In addition, if a student decides to pursue their graduate degree at an institution other than SLU, their intentions must be communicated to the program director no later than the end of spring year 3.
Graduates have gone on to careers at public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics, private practices and universities. Speech-language pathology is rated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as one of the fastest-growing professions in the country — it’s predicted to grow 21 percent by 2024. The median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2019 was $78,000.
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at finaid.slu.edu.
For additional information, contact the Doisy College of Health Sciences Recruitment Specialist at dchs@health.slu.edu.