National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
FAQs
Although there are rumors that a program can be one and not another, clinical treatments are evidence based and therefore scientific. ASHA standards require a solid foundation in both classroom and clinical standards. All UVa graduates receive at least 400 clinical hours before graduation.
Students can choose where they want to spend their internship, and this can be completed at any facility in any state as long as the facility agrees to an affiliation agreement with our program. UVA has a large variety of placement options and contracts with sites all over the country. Students are locally placed into their school externship sites, and preferences for age groups are taken into consideration. As for the medical externships if the student has no conflicting classes that semester, he/she can choose to go anywhere (like the internship). For those students that need to stay local due to class, placements are available in local medical sites.
The admissions committee, which consists of a group of communication disorders faculty, considers your entire application. Grades from your undergraduate career and GRE scores are important, yet so are your personal statement and letters of recommendation. The committee reads the applications and has the opportunity to vote in your favor. Each voter may hinge their final decision based on a different piece of your application this is due to their experience and their role in the communication disorders program. Then those votes are averaged to determine the final list of students to be officially considered for admission.
Each professor has his/her own areas of interest. Some of those include: children's language, autism, fluency, AAC, voice, dysphagia, aphasia and accent modification. Feel free to email a specific professor and ask more about his/her interests.
Charlottesville is a great place to live! There is so much diversity here both economically and culturally. There's an opportunity to meet people from many different programs here, like the law, business, engineering, and med schools. The shopping is great and the restaurants are even better. We have one of the highest restaurants per capita rankings in the entire country.
Some fun things to do: Live Arts is a local theatre group that puts on great plays; during the late spring, summer, early fall Fridays After Five runs downtown this is an outdoor event with live music and beer/wine carts; First Fridays the first Friday of every month all of the art galleries downtown are open with new art for viewing.
Living expenses are relatively high. The closer you live to grounds, the more you will pay for rent. Most students pay between $400 and $600 for rent per month. Take a look at offgrounds.com for info on housing. You'll have to create a username and password, but then it will give you a lot of info on places to live.
Charlottesville is located an hour from Richmond, and approximately two hours from both Washington DC and Virginia Beach.
New students receive registration information during orientation at the end of August.
During orientation in August, students will meet with the advisor to determine specific course schedules.
Students must remember that clinical assignments often change. If a student decides to have a part-time job, the employer must be flexible with scheduling. A few part-time fellowships are available for students who qualify for Federal Work Study. These positions are offered as part of the admissions process.
There are only a few breaks built into the schedule. Although vacations are partly determined by Externship/Internship placements, Students usually have 1 week before the Fall semester begins, 2 weeks for Christmas and 1 week after the Spring semester ends. Academic and Clinic work continues through the summer.
NSSLHA Officers
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I chose this major because I want to be an audiologist! I am minoring in American Sign Language and have found a passion to work with all kinds of people who have different hearing profiles. I love this major because everyone who is in it is devoted to helping people as much as they can, and that is not only unique, but it is inspiring!
My clinical interests: I am interested in pediatric audiology, but I am open to anything, including different settings such as a hospital or a clinic.
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: The School of Education and Human Development has the most wonderful faculty, peers, and attitude of any school here at UVA! What I love most is that not a day goes by when I do not feel empowered to be my best self both in personal and professional settings.
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I became interested in speech communication disorders in high school while leading the Best Buddies club. I saw how speech therapy helped my peers with communication disorders gain confidence and improve their interactions with new people. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in speech therapy to support others in expressing their thoughts and feelings while creating an accepting environment.
My clinical interests: My current clinical interests include working with patients with feeding and swallowing disorders and stroke rehabilitation.
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: I love how the professors go above and beyond to create a warm and welcoming environment for the students to learn. The smaller class sizes allow you to get to know other students in your major very well and gain a sense of belonging with encouragement from your peers!
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I wasn't sure if I wanted to work in education or the healthcare field, and I found SCD to be a great combination of the two. I also love the variety within the field and have never taken a boring speech class.
My clinical interests: I'm definitely still exploring, but I am intrigued by swallowing and voice disorders. And I really love working with kids!
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: My professors in the School of Education have been incredibly thoughtful and passionate about not only the material, but the students as well. Many classes in the Education School also foster great discussions that likely wouldn't otherwise be had.
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Shadowing an SLP and the intro SCD class was what helped me figure out the part of healthcare I wanted to work in. Additionally, the field is so rewarding and I’m excited to be able to make a significant impact on other people’s lives.
My clinical interests: As of now, I’d like to work in the medical side of Speech Pathology, particularly with pediatrics. Swallowing disorders and feeding therapy are areas that I am interested in. However, I am open-minded to working in the other areas of speech in the future, especially the ones that I have not yet explored!
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: I love the small, supportive community of UVA EHD. I appreciate this aspect of the college because it makes it a great environment to build relationships with my professors and peers.
Hometown: Goochland, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I chose speech communication disorders because I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives by improving their ability to communicate!
My clinical interests: Autism spectrum disorders, pediatrics, early intervention
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: UVA’s School of Education & Human Development has such a supportive and welcoming community that has made me feel so at home throughout my UVA experience. Everyone is so passionate and dedicated to helping others, it is truly a special place to be!
Hometown: Centreville, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: After stumbling across this major on the UVA website, I was immediately drawn to its interdisciplinary nature, which made it so engaging, and to the joy of knowing you can make a meaningful impact on others' lives!
My Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include everything from resonance disorders to advanced alternative communication. Currently in a season of exploration.
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: Beyond the super extremely awesome course content, the EHD community is what makes it so special. From professors to your peers, you cannot help but feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Why I chose speech communication disorders: I chose speech communication disorders because I love working with others and I think having a voice and outlet for your thoughts is very important for individuals.
Clinical interests: Pediatric communication disorders.
What I love about the UVA School of Education & Human Development: I love the people and community! We all are very intertwined and connected, providing a good support group for each other.