From Classroom to Clinic: Building the Future of Speech-Language Pathology

• By School of Health Professions
• October 15, 2025
• Education

The Clinical Experience Course in the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) provides students with hands-on, practical application of the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom. As reflected in its title, the “experience” course allows students to move beyond textbooks and into real-world clinical practice. 

Brittany Hall, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, is a program director in this department, and she joins us to explain why this course is fundamental to the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) post-baccalaureate curriculum.

A Pathway to Licensure

The Clinical Experience Course is directly tied to the requirements for becoming a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) in Texas. State regulations require 50 hours of supervised experience—25 hours of observation and 25 hours of direct clinical assisting. By completing this course, TTUHSC students are well-positioned to meet these requirements.

“With an SLP-A license, graduates can begin working right after completing their bachelor’s degree,” Dr. Hall explains. “This is one way we’re supporting students who may not be ready or able to pursue graduate school immediately.” SLP-As often work in schools, pediatric clinics and home health settings, and many use the role as a stepping stone toward a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

Hands-On Skill Development

At the heart of the course is the TTUHSC Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, where students work alongside faculty and professionals to deliver speech-language pathology services. This hands-on training allows students to refine essential skills such as data collection, therapy planning, and basic intervention techniques.

Students also gain experience balancing the demands of individual and group therapy sessions while practicing how to keep young clients engaged. “It’s exciting to watch students move from understanding material in a textbook to applying it in treatment,” Dr. Hall says. “You see them blossom into professionals right before your eyes.”

Learning Professionalism

Beyond clinical skills, the course emphasizes the ethical and professional responsibilities of healthcare providers. Students learn how to interact effectively with clients, families and other professionals in collaborative, interprofessional settings. The program also highlights teamwork and communication—skills that are just as critical as clinical expertise in building a successful career.

Supporting TTUHSC’s Vision

The Clinical Experience Course directly supports TTUHSC’s vision: A healthier future with access to quality care for every Texan.

• Addressing a Healthcare Gap: Texas faces a significant shortage of SLP services, especially in rural areas. By training SLP-As, TTUHSC is helping expand the workforce and improve access to care where it is most needed.
• Improving Access to Care: Under the supervision of licensed SLPs, assistants can provide vital services to children who might otherwise go without care, especially in underserved communities.
• Fostering a Skilled Workforce: With rigorous academics and practical training, the program ensures graduates are prepared to deliver high-quality, compassionate care.

A Foundation for the Future of Health

The SLHS Clinical Experience Course has quickly become a cornerstone of the program, blending classroom learning with clinical application in a way that prepares students for both immediate employment and long-term success.

“In essence, the program is not just a degree, it’s a strategic effort to build a stronger, more accessible healthcare system for all Texans,” Dr. Hall says. By training dedicated professionals who can serve where the need is greatest, the program helps turn TTUHSC’s vision of a healthier future into reality.