What Is a Clinical Doctorate in Speech Language Pathology (SLP-D)?

You have a passion for speech-language pathology. You want more out of your career. You’re looking for your next step. 

When you consider your dream career, you envision yourself on the front lines. You’re mentoring the next generation of clinicians, making a direct impact on patients, and becoming a leader in your field. 

If this aligns with your career goals, you should consider earning your Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP-D).

• An SLP-D focuses on clinical research and leadership.

• SLP-D coursework emphasizes research methods and quality improvement within clinical settings. 

• Graduates of SLP-D programs are poised to take on high-level roles in health systems, schools, speech and hearing clinics, and more.

An SLP-D is a post-professional doctorate that provides opportunities for greater knowledge, higher professional competence, and increased application of clinical expertise. 

While a master’s degree in speech-language pathology provides a clinical foundation, a clinical doctorate allows practicing SLPs to further develop their clinical skills, leadership abilities, and clinical research experience. The SLP-D degree programs dive deep into interpretation of the evidence base for our field, ensuring that clinicians have comprehensive knowledge of speech-language pathology. 

Application and interpretation of research, decision making, leadership, clinical education, and mentorship are all integral to the SLP-D. In addition, the degree gives clinicians the opportunity to specialize in a focused track, such as education or health care. After all, clinical practice is about more than your own research—it’s also about mentoring others in your area of expertise. This program supports the development of soft skills that will improve the field.

If this is your first exposure to an SLP-D, you may ask: 

Why should I earn a clinical doctorate? Why not a PhD? 

The biggest difference between an SLP-D and a PhD in speech-language pathology is the area of focus. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, an SLP-D prepares clinicians for advanced professional roles. If you aim to move up in clinical settings, particularly into clinical leadership and supervision, then an SLP-D is an excellent fit for your needs.

A PhD is broader in scope than an SLP-D, with a longer time to completion and a heavier focus on independent research development. It typically takes five to six years to complete a PhD, whereas an SLP-D can be completed in only two years. PhD students focus on developing their own research and are prepared for careers in academia and teaching. This ultimately makes a PhD a better choice for individuals whose main goal is research rather than clinical practice. 

You have several years of clinical practice under your belt and are motivated by clinical questions. After earning your master’s degree, you’re hungry to learn more. Additionally, being a leader excites you—whether you’re mentoring other clinicians or working within your area of specialization. If this sounds familiar, then you should consider an SLP-D. 

Another reason you might consider an SLP-D is because you’ve investigated PhD programs but don’t want to put your career as a speech-language pathologist on hold. In fact, continuing your professional development is just as important to you as furthering your education.  

If your interests lie in practice-based research and mentorship, with a desire to improve patient outcomes and provide better access to care, pursuing a clinical doctorate may be an ideal fit. An SLP-D offers flexibility, has a shorter time commitment, and aligns with these goals.

The admission requirements for SLP-D programs often include the following: 

• Graduate from an accredited SLP master’s degree program that includes at least 50 semester hours for completion.

• Hold a current state licensure in SLP in good standing. 

• Meet criteria for certificate of clinical competence (CCC-SLP), with at least 3 years of clinical practice.

As an advanced practice doctorate, an SLP-D covers a wide range of topics related to speech-language pathology. You'll gain a comprehensive knowledge of the evidence behind communication sciences and disorders (CSD) within a variety of clinical settings. These programs highlight clinical research methods and promote critical thinking through the following coursework:

• Application of Clinical Science to Service Delivery: Interpreting the Evidence 

• Epidemiological Trends in CSD: Current State and Future Needs of Clinical Care

• Advanced Application of Research for Clinical Decision Making 

• Advanced Assessment and Intervention Strategies for CSD

• Professional Leadership and Mentorship 

• Neuroimaging and Neurobehavioral Metrics in CSD

• Ethical Considerations Related to Access & Social Well-Being in CSD 

Additionally, one of the benefits of an SLP-D is the ability to specialize. While this isn’t usually an option in a master’s program, a clinical doctorate offers the time and space to become an expert in your area of interest. Through your cumulative capstone project, you’ll put your knowledge into practice by developing and applying evidence in your clinical setting. 

On a broader level, earning an SLP-D sharpens your skillset in four key areas: 

1. Evidence-based practice (EBP) outcomes measurement, and quality improvement in SLP.

1. Interprofessional collaboration, supervision, and leadership skills. 

1. Health care policy and advocacy, educational policy, ethics, and advocacy for communication disorders.

1. Data-informed decision-making and practice management. 

As the SLP-D program is geared toward currently working speech-language pathologists, it’s perfect for those seeking advancement opportunities. Some of the roles available to you after earning your clinical doctorate include: 

• Clinical Educator 

• Faculty Member (adjunct, clinical, tenure-track, etc.)

• Researcher 

• Clinical Supervisor

• Private Practice Owner 

• Student Services Manager 

• Rehab Manager/Director  

• Clinic Director

• Program Director/Service Line Leader 

These opportunities exist in a variety of settings—think health systems, schools, rehab centers, private practice, and telepractice. You can also explore opportunities within speech and hearing clinics, government health agencies, and educational programs, including higher education.

You’re armed with all the information you could need about a clinical doctorate in speech-language pathology. Even so, you’re still unsure if it’s right for you. That’s okay! Choosing a degree program is a big decision and never an easy one. 

To ease the stress, we’ve compiled a quick checklist to help you decide.

• You’re several years into your SLP career and are ready for more.

• You’re happiest working in a clinical setting. 

• You don’t just want to lead—you also want to mentor others in their careers.

• You are curious about conducting research, measuring outcomes, and problem-solving in your clinical setting.

• You want to improve patient-centered care.

• You’re ready to build upon your foundational SLP education and specialize. 

• You have a specific question related to your clinical work or service delivery models (medical and school-based) that you want to tackle.

Ultimately, you’re the only one who can determine if an SLP-D is right for you. But if this checklist aligns with your goals and skillset, then an SLP-D may be your next step!

Interested in continuing your speech-language pathology education? Let UC join you on that journey.

UC’s online Clinical Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology is designed with busy professionals in mind. The program is 100% online and designed with flexibility and affordability in mind. At UC, we don’t want you to put your career on pause. We want to help you level up.  

So don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity. Talk to your Enrollment Services Advisor for step-by-step support. Whether you’re applying, beginning your first semester, or graduating with your SLP-D, we see you.

An SLP-D is geared toward clinical career advancement for SLPs, supporting leadership and clinical research skill development. A PhD in SLP or CSD is a better choice for primarily research and teaching careers.

Yes! Flexible online programs make it possible to earn your SLP-D while working full time. UC’s online SLP-D is a convenient two-year part-time option. 

The most common admission requirements include an SLP master’s degree and a current state licensure in SLP. Additionally, applicants must meet the criteria for the certificate of clinical competence (CCC-SLP) and have at least three years of clinical practice. 

Implementation science is the study of how research is interpreted and then applied to existing research methods and processes. This branch of study is useful to SLPs due to the need for practice-based evidence to move our field forward and close the research to practice gap.