The ever-changing health and educational policies and service landscapes, as well as engagement in evidence-based practice, require a more advanced level of expertise. Additionally, there is an ever-growing need for leadership across all levels of service, including within the highest tiers of healthcare and education. Our SLPD program prepares clinicians to respond to these challenges and needs within the field.

Northwestern University’s SLPD program is unique, drawing from a wide variety of areas of expertise often not considered in SLP education.  Leadership, policy, organizational behavior, operations, and education and supervision are all hallmarks of our program – in addition to the clinical research methods and dissemination and implementation science for which Northwestern University is internationally known.

Upon completing the SLPD program, our graduates are well-suited to powerfully and positively impact the landscape of service provision and the patients they serve.