Graduate Program Advising
Communication Sciences and Disorders includes
two disciplines, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology which have developed out of a
concern for people with communication disorders. Preparation leading to a degree
in Speech-Language Pathology and/or
Audiology includes a wide range of course work and a variety of clinical
practicum opportunities working with the infant through geriatric populations.
The Department of Communication Sciences and
Disorders (CSD) at Western Washington University offers a master’s degree
program in speech-language pathology that is accredited by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is one of the largest graduate programs
at WWU. Typically over 100 students apply for the 20 positions available each
year. The graduate students complete a two year course of study that includes
academic classes as well as clinical practica. Over the past three years, 80% of
the students completed the program in the expected time frame, 16% extended
their graduate program (typically by one quarter), and 4% did not complete the
program.
Western’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic offers valuable services to the
communicatively disordered from Bellingham and nearby communities. The faculty,
clinical educators, and supervised students share their clinical expertise in
our onsite clinic and in offsite settings such as Head Start programs, Lummi
Tribal School, Whatcom Center for Early Learning, Adult Day Health, St. Francis
Adult Rehabilitation Center, and numerous retirement communities and special
residential centers. The CSD Department provides over 6000 hours of clinical
services annually to people in the Bellingham community. In addition, during
their internships our graduate student clinicians collectively contribute almost
10000 hours of clinical service per year while working in the public schools and
medical settings throughout the region.
Many of the students conduct research and participate in the scholarly processes
of presenting and publishing their work. As further testament to the consistent
program quality, 100% of the graduates pass the national praxis examination,
usually with scores well above the national average. Our graduates’ reputation
for excellent academic and clinical education results in 100% of the graduates
finding employment in schools, clinics, or medical settings, with many receiving
multiple job offers prior to graduation. Several have gone on to pursue doctoral
degrees in reputable institutions and now contribute their teaching and research
expertise to the profession.
If you are interested in applying to our
graduate program, you may request application materials from the
Graduate School, (360)
650-3170, email gradschl@wwu.edu. You can
apply for Graduate School using the
Online Form
or you can download, fill out, and mail application materials found on the
Graduate School Forms Page.
If you choose not to use the
Online Form,
you may submit application and all supporting documents directly to the Graduate
School at:
WWU Graduate School
516 High Street, Old Main 530
Bellingham, WA 98225-9037
Students who intend to seek employment in
this profession, whether in a public school, clinic, rehabilitation center or
hospital setting, are advised that certification at the state and/or national
levels is required. Out-of-state students should recognize that other
requirements may exist for employment in their locales.
If after reading these pages you have further
questions about our programs, please contact us.
Speech-Language Pathology
Dr. Lina Zeine
Graduate Coordinator
Western Washington University
Academic Instructional Center
Room AI 376, Mailstop 9171
Bellingham WA 98225
(360) 650-3178
Lina.Zeine@wwu.edu
Audiology
Dr. Rieko Darling
Graduate Coordinator
Western Washington University
Academic Instructional Center
Room AI 372, Mailstop 9171
Bellingham WA 98225
(360) 650-3143
Rieko.Darling@wwu.edu