Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology :
SLPD
Why study Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology : ?
The University of Cincinnati’s Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology is a new program launching in 2026 that will prepare students for leadership opportunities and advanced clinical practice experiences. Our unique Speech-Language Pathology Doctorate (SLPD) program gives students the opportunity to complete and apply research, often clinical in nature, in a way that improves their professional and clinical practice and advances the field of speech-language pathology. This part-time fully online doctoral program will provide students with the chance to engage with other practicing clinicians and renowned faculty from the University of Cincinnati and beyond to further their professional and clinical expertise and develop their ability to mentor and lead others in their focus area. Students will gain knowledge and skills in critical thinking, clinical problem solving, application and interpretation of research, and develop their understanding and skillsets related to clinical education, teaching, supervision, and mentorship. Each student will select one of two tracks (healthcare or education) to further concentrate their learning and leadership preparation for their respective setting.
State Authorization
Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid). To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.
Admission Requirements
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Qualified applicants must meet all of the criteria below:
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Completed SLP master’s degree from an ASHA accredited program with at least 50 semester hours for completion
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Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all graduate coursework
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Active state license as a Speech Language Pathologist
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At least 3 years of clinical experience
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Clinical fellowship year of master’s degree program can count towards total experience
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Meet all criteria for certificate of clinical competence (CCC-SLP)
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To be eligible for admissions review, applicants must submit all of the following materials:
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Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
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Copy of state SLP license
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Three professional or academic references to provide letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s academic readiness for graduate-level work, work ethic, and habits, and the applicant’s communication and interpersonal skills.
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Resume/CV
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Letter of Intent: 2-3 page narrative summarizing the following:
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Your research interests
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Professional experience and accomplishments
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Why you want to pursue your SLP-D at University of Cincinnati
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UC's Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology supports the career advancement of practicing SLPs through this unique 2-year part-time online program. Graduates of SLP-D programs continue practicing and have reported career advancement and leadership opportunities across a range of opportunities including but not limited to:
- educational programs including higher education
- speech and hearing clinics
- hospitals
- private practice
- schools
- governmental health agencies
- physician's offices
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The University of Cincinnati has online enrollment services advisors (ESAs) available to help learners complete their application and get started in the Online Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology program. If you have not already, please use the request information form above to be connected to an ESA today!
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Upon starting the program, a dedicated student success coordinator (SSC) will be assigned to all learners to help them achieve their academic goals. You will be introduced to your SSC as your first semester approaches, and they will be your primary liaison to the university all the way through graduation.
UC's SLP-D program will be a fully online program with the option of selecting either a healthcare or education track.
Students who have earned graduate credits from accredited institutions may be eligible to apply some or all of those credits towards their pursuit of the online SLP-D program. Please contact your Enrollment Services Advisor (ESA) for specifics about the policy.
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We will accept transfers from other UC majors as long as they meet the criteria for admission into this program.
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Current UC students must still complete the official graduate application process for the online SLP-D program to be considered for admission.
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Due to this program’s professional licensure requirement, students are not eligible to complete the program while located outside of the United States.
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Applicants with college coursework completed outside the United States are required to provide a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation for each college or university you attended outside the United States. This evaluation must be obtained from a service listed on the NACES member website.
Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Application Deadlines
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University of Cincinnati’s online SLP-D program only accepts new students during the Fall semester of each academic year.
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Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are due by January 10th, 2026.
Contact Information
3225 Eden Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45220
(513) 556-7011
onlineenrollment@uc.edu
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Program Code: 35DOC-CSLP-SLPD-.CSLP-DL