Situated in the southeastern region of the United States, Tennessee acts as an embodiment of the seamless fusion of history, tradition, and progressive thinking. From the musical heartbeats reverberating from Nashville’s heart, it is recognized globally as the “Music City” to the profound history lessons whispered by Memphis’s streets, Tennessee as a state has always honored communication in its various formats. Yet, beyond its historical and musical contributions, Tennesse has taken significant steps forward in the educational sphere, carving a niche for itself as a s nexus of higher education. 

Tennesse’s dedication to education is evident in its array of educational institutions, community colleges, specialized training schools, and state universities, all focusing on providing quality education to its residents and students from across the U.S. within its educational landscape, one field that has been growing and garnering attention from everywhere is Speech-language Pathology (SLP). SLP is a vigorous profession that aims to evaluate, diagnose, and treat numerous communication and swallowing disorders in individuals of all ages. It connects medical science and rehabilitation therapy, ensuring that people with speech, swallowing, or hearing challenges can lead communicative and fulfilling lives. 

Tennesse recognizes the enhanced demand for expert speech-language pathologists. As the awareness regarding communication disorders is rising with the rising population, the need for rigorous SLP programs has become even more apparent. That is why educational institutions all across the state have stepped up, offering a myriad of programs tailored for those who want to dive deep into the realm of SLP. 

Speech-language Therapy Programs in Tennessee 

Prospective students in Tennessee have a choice to fulfill their academic and professional aspirations and dreams. For those who are just starting their educational journey in SLP, a bachelor’s program lays a solid foundation, introduces the basic concepts, and offers a peak into the world of hearing and speech sciences. These introductory courses usually set the stage for more specific learning at the graduate level. Master’s program in SLP in Tennessee dives deeper, fusing theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience., training students for professional practice. This degree is typically the minimum requirement to practice as a licensed speech-language pathologist. 

Tennesse’s doctorate programs stand as lighthouses for those inclined to research, innovation, and a desire to contribute to the community with communication disorders. These programs often culminate in a PhD, motivating students to explore the complexities of speech, language, and hearing sciences, potentially leading to cutting-edge methodologies and discoveries. 

Tennessee Bachelors in SLP and Speech Therapy 

Middle Tennessee State University – Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

The Health and Human Performance Department at Middle Tennessee State University offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology degree. To practice as a licensed speech-language pathology expert or audiologist, students must also complete a master’s or doctorate program. As a national leader offering an undergraduate pre-professional degree, MTSU’s program helps prepare students for graduate study in speech-language pathology and audiology. Whether helping a child who stutters or an adult with a hearing loss, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program, formerly Communication Disorders, in the Department of Health and Human Performance offers students the opportunity to learn about human communication: speech, language, and hearing disorders; and intervention methods for children and adults experiencing communication problems. 

Students in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program prepare to help people with daily communication challenges, from stuttering to hearing loss. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology significant aims to diagnose and intervene for those who have speech, swallowing, or hearing problems. It provides a foundation for students who want to continue studying at the graduate level to become licensed as speech-language pathologists or audiologists or pursue other careers related to communication disorders.       

Students must obtain a minimum overall GPA of 2.60 in 60 credit hours or 3.00 in the final 30 credit hours, a minimum GPA of 2.80 in the major, and a minimum grade of C in each preparatory course before enrolling in clinical techniques in this program. Students must achieve the academic and professional eligibility requirements established by the faculty and detailed in the clinic manual to enroll in and continue their clinical practicum. Academic prerequisites include minimum GPA requirements, proficiency in speech and writing, and transcription and analysis of phonetic aspects. 

University of Tennessee, Knoxville – Joint Bachelor of Arts in Audiology and Speech Pathology

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Department of Theory and Practise in Teacher Education and the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre (UTHSC) Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology jointly offer an undergraduate degree program with a focus on the scientific study of human communication sciences and disorders. General education, major requirements, and elective courses total 90 credits for the degree program. During their final year at UTHSC, students complete 30 hours of major requirements. On the campus in Knoxville, all classes are taught. The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the College of Allied Health at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville each provide a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology as the program’s capstone. Tuition for this program is the same for both campuses. 

The combined undergraduate major in speech, language, and hearing disorders is a foundation for graduate study and professional certification in specific areas. For professional certifications and employment, one must possess a doctorate in audiology or a master’s degree in speech pathology. Admission to the graduate program at UTHSC is optional for enrollment in the joint UTK/UTHSC undergraduate program. A system of academic tracking called Universal Tracking (uTrack) was developed to assist students in staying on track for on-time graduation. Students must satisfy the minimal requirements during each tracking semester, or milestones, to keep on track. Achieving a minimum GPA or successfully finishing a set of required courses are examples of milestones. 

Online Bachelor’s in Speech-language Pathology in Tennessee 

East Tennessee State University – Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders

Usually, it is difficult to find online programs in SLP in other states of America. But Tennessee has an online B.S. in Communicative Disorders from East Tennessee State University. 

The UG program introduces you to and trains you for a graduate degree in Clinical Audiology (Doctor of Audiology) or Speech-Language Pathology (Master of Science in SLP) if you want a career helping people communicate. The UG Minor program exposes students to speech, language, and hearing problems and the typical elements of the communication process. The courses will cover speech and hearing science, anatomy and basic physiology of the speech and hearing systems, and the natural growth of speech and language production and perception.  

To provide maximum flexibility and let students learn at times that best suit their schedules, the 6-course sequence is delivered online in an asynchronous learning environment. These classes give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts in speech, language, and hearing sciences. They prepare them for postgraduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology and prospective careers in adjacent disciplines of medicine and behavior.

Tennessee Masters in Speech-language Pathology (MSLP) Programs 

East Tennessee State University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The two-year, approved speech-language pathology program at East Tennessee State University specializes in identifying, treating, and studying communicative disorders in children and adults. The program’s curriculum offers in-depth instruction on the diseases and ailments that can occur in the industry. At this university, earning a Master of Science will equip students with the skills necessary to become effective, all-around speech-language pathologists who can treat patients with the highest level of care. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) has granted the program accreditation. 

ETSU has various clinic placements in both child and adult settings. Each student has multiple opportunities on and off campus in school, clinic, nursing home, and hospital sites. Students attending ETSU will be prepared to work with a spectrum of disorders in children, including autism, cleft palate, auditory awareness, phonological disorders, specific language impairment, and high-risk infant care. Suppose you are more interested in adult settings. In that case, you will gain the knowledge necessary to provide therapy for individuals with tracheotomies, voice disorders, motor speech disorders, aphasia, and dysphagia, including performing modified barium swallow imaging studies at our local VA hospital.

University of Memphis – Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology

The University of Memphis’ Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program needs a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit and a two-year commitment of 5-7 semesters (including summers). Additionally, in order to receive the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, students must fulfill all academic and clinical standards established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

UM strongly encourages students with degrees in other areas to apply to the program. There are undergraduate courses in different subjects required to complete the M.A. program. If you still need to meet these requirements in your undergraduate program, you must complete them during your graduate program. Consider completing this coursework before your first semester of graduate school. 

Students must apply to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralised Application Service (CSDCAS) to be considered for admission to the Master’s program in SLP. Only one applicant each year is accepted into the SLP master’s program. If you fit any of the following descriptions, you must enroll in AUSP 7006 the summer after being accepted:

• You have never participated in a course on child language development.
• You received a C+ or lower in a course on child language development.
• You fail our online test on crucial aspects of child language development (only students who have taken a course in child language development are eligible to take the test).

Tennessee State University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Traditional/on-campus students have choices among two program of study tracks: 

• Full-Time Traditional: The MS degree program in Speech and Hearing Science can be completed in 5 semesters. 
• Part-Time Traditional: The MS degree program in Speech and Hearing Science can be completed in either eight or 12 semesters. In addition to the academic requirements, students must complete at least two full-time clinical externship practica during their chosen program of study. Most students complete the MS Program in the number of semesters indicated in the program of study. However, the number of semesters needed to complete the MS degree program may vary due to academic or personal/extenuating circumstances.

It is not necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in the area of speech-language pathology to apply to the Master of Science Program in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. All applicants without a background in speech-language pathology must complete 15 hours of prerequisite coursework in the area of speech-language pathology before applying for the graduate program. The Department sticks to the standards and guidelines established by ASHA’s Council on Academic Accreditation. Therefore, students must complete all ASHA academic and clinical requirements before the Department verifies completion and proficiency in required certification-related areas. 

The prerequisite courses are offered both on campus in a traditional classroom setting and online. The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology grants permission to take the prerequisite courses as a non-degree-seeking student only after the applicant has gone through departmental advisement. Taking the prerequisite courses as a non-degree-seeking student does not ensure or obligate acceptance into the Master of Science (MS) program in Speech and Hearing Science.

All students must complete at least 400 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum experiences in speech-language pathology. Students can complete 25 hours of clinical observation in both online and on-campus formats. However, students must complete 375 clinical clock hours through direct client/patient contact. 

Vanderbilt University – Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The Vanderbilt University School of Medicine offers the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Master of Science degree program. The M.S.-SLP program provides educational and clinical training that leads to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Two academic years (20 to 24 months) make up the program. The student’s educational background determines the program’s duration. The program lasts five semesters, including the summer session after the first full academic year. Students who register without prior knowledge of communication sciences and disorders must take an additional semester.

Throughout the program, students have access to a variety of clinical training settings at the Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children’s Hospital, the Vanderbilt University Hospital, off-campus locations, and the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Centre for Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences. A ten-week clinical or research externship in an area of the student’s choice serves as the M.S.-SLP program’s capstone.

The curriculum and clinical practica go above and above the requirements provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC). Eligible students with a professional interest in specialised populations (such as children with severe to mild hearing loss, autism spectrum disorders, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and school-aged language-literacy disorders) have access to specialty training tracks and elective courses. Students that are interested can do research for a master’s thesis. 

Students with educational backgrounds in communication sciences and disorders and related professions, such as psychology, biomedical sciences, counseling, education, and psycholinguistics, are motivated to apply.  Applicants must possess GRE scores consistent with Vanderbilt University’s graduate admission standards, an exemplary academic achievement and scholarship record, a commitment to professionalism, perseverance, and exceptional organizational and time management skills.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center (Memphis) – M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) has a long-standing reputation for its dedication to academic excellence and clinical proficiency. The MS-SLP program, located in Knoxville, Tennessee, is no exception to this legacy of excellence. Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the program provides graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the field’s challenges confidently.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in speech-language pathology, you might want to consider the MS-SLP program at UTHSC. It’s a program designed to cater to students from different backgrounds. Whether you’ve already completed a degree in communication disorders or you’re transitioning from another field, the program has something for everyone. They offer a traditional 2-year curriculum for those with a background in communication disorders and additional preparatory coursework for students from other fields. The program is known for its support system, which helps every student thrive.

The program may offer a “leveling year” for students to complete senior-level coursework before starting the graduate program. If you have relevant coursework, you may be able to enter as a second-year student, provided you meet specific criteria. You can still apply for the program even if your Bachelor’s degree is in a different area. But, you must complete two semesters of undergraduate coursework before starting the graduate-level courses. To graduate, you must pass all academic and clinical coursework and complete a comprehensive exam or a thesis.

They understand how overwhelming it can be to think about the financial aspect of higher education. UTHSC offers small assistantships and scholarships to deserving students based on academic and clinical merit. With their experienced faculty’s help, you can confidently navigate your educational journey.

You can contact the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the UT Conference Center if you need more details. Their location is at 600 Henley Street, Suite 119, in Knoxville, TN. You can reach them by phone at 865.974.5019 or by email at asp@uthsc.edu.

Doctorate in Speech-language Pathology (SLPD) 

Vanderbilt University – Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences

The Vanderbilt University Graduate School has a doctoral-level Hearing and Speech Sciences program. The program strongly emphasizes preparing students for employment in audiology, speech-language pathology, or hearing or speech science research and teaching.  Training and education for doctorate are integrated with the federally-sponsored research programs of faculty members.

This Ph.D. program aims to prepare students for careers as productive teacher-scholars in fundamental or practical communication sciences and disorders. Before the dissertation, students complete two research projects, a teaching practicum, and roughly two years of individualized coursework inside and outside the department. It typically takes 72 graduate credit hours to obtain a Ph.D. The doctoral degree may accept up to 24 semester hours of graduate-level transfer credit (from a master’s degree, for example).

Typically, students enroll in 48 credit hours during the program’s first two calendar years (Fall+Spring+Summer sessions). The student might be allowed to candidature for the Ph.D. degree after the first two years of study, provided that the written and oral comprehensive examinations are passed successfully, and the dissertation prospectus is approved. The dissertation takes up the remaining time in the course.

University of Memphis – Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders PhD program aims to prepare students for academic research careers in speech, language, or hearing sciences. The School offers a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders with three different areas of concentration: 

(1) Hearing Sciences and Disorders 

(2) Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders

(3) Neuroscience

The program is highly individualized to the student’s needs and background and is developed following the student’s research interests. Upon entry into the program, each student will form a planning committee, and an individualized course of study will meet the student’s educational and long-term aims and goals. Mentoring is a vital component of each student’s doctoral plan. Graduation requirements vary depending on the students’ degrees when entering the program. 

How to become a speech therapist in Tennessee

If you’re looking to become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Tennessee, there are specific requirements you need to meet. The following steps outline the process you need to follow:

• Step 1: You must obtain a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). During the coursework, you’ll study various subjects and complete a 400-hour clinical practicum to gain hands-on experience and prepare for your clinical fellowship.
• Step 2: After completing your master’s program, you must complete a nine-month clinical fellowship under the supervision of a licensed SLP. This period provides practical experience in diagnosing and treating communication disorders. You can pursue the fellowship in diverse settings like school districts, private practices, hospitals, or long-term care facilities.
• Step 3: Once you complete the clinical fellowship, you must pass the national SLP examination administered by Praxis. The exam assesses your knowledge and skills across three main categories: Foundations and Professional Practice, Screening, Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis, and Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation of Treatment.
• Step 4: After completing your clinical fellowship and passing the national SLP examination, you can apply for a Tennessee SLP license. To do this, you need to submit the required application along with your graduate transcript to the Tennessee Board of Communications Disorders and Sciences. Once you receive the state license, you can start your career as a licensed speech-language pathologist in Tennessee.
• Step 5: To maintain your SLP license in Tennessee, you need to fulfill annual renewal requirements, which include completing 10 hours of continuing education. These continuing education activities help enhance your professional development and ensure that you stay up-to-date with advancements in the field of speech-language pathology.

Conclusion

Speech-language pathology is a noble profession, and those who aspire to excel in this field help hundreds of individuals with communication disorders in this process. Tennessee offers programs ranging from bachelor’s to master’s and doctorate in SLP. Some of these programs are offered on-campus and online, but the ratio of on-campus to online programs is evident. There are no online doctoral degrees in the desired field at the moment. Moreover, it is better to pursue SLP while staying on campus.

Tennessee Speech-Language Pathology Programs

Program	University Name	City	State	Accreditation
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)	University of Memphis	Memphis	TN	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	University of Memphis	Memphis	TN	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Tennessee State University	Nashville	TN	ASHA
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)	Vanderbilt University	Nashville	TN	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Vanderbilt University	Nashville	TN	ASHA
Doctorate in Audiology (AuD)	University of Tennessee Health Science Center	Knoxville	TN	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	University of Tennessee Health Science Center	Knoxville	TN	ASHA
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	Austin Peay State University	Clarksville	TN
Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)	East Tennessee State University	Johnson City	TN	ASHA