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Hearing and Speech Sciences

Academics

Students in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences (HSS) prepare for clinical and research careers through rigorous academics, hands-on training and collaboration with nationally recognized faculty.

Degrees Offered

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)

Become a practitioner of audiology through our top-ranked 4-year program.

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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP)

Train to become a skilled, certified speech-language pathologist through hands-on learning in real-world care settings.

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Master of Education of the Deaf (MDE)

Experience our interdisciplinary approach to teacher training, combining audiology, speech-language pathology, and deaf education.

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Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech Sciences

Prepare for research and teaching careers in audiology, speech-language pathology, and hearing or speech science.

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Class Schedules

Important academic dates for each semester are listed below. For full calendar details, visit the Office of the University Registrar.

  • Summer Session 2026
    • March 23 – Self-service registration opens for all students in YES
    • May 4 – May session classes begin
    • May 25 – Memorial Day—No class or clinical activities
    • May 29 – May session classes end
    • June 2 – Full summer session classes begin
    • June 19 – Juneteenth holiday (No classes or clinicals)
    • July 3 – Independence Day Holiday (observed)—No class or clinical activities
    • Aug. 7 – Full summer session classes end
  • Fall Semester 2026
    • April 15 – Self-service registration opens for returning students in YES
    • July 22 –  Self-service registration opens for newly entering students in YES
    • Aug. 26 – Fall semester classes begin
    • Sept. 7 – Labor Day—Most programs observe – contact program personnel for confirmation
    • Sept. 9 – Last day for student self-enrollment changes
    • Oct. 22-23 – Fall break—Some programs observe – consult program personnel for confirmation
    • Nov. 21-Sun, Nov. 29 – Thanksgiving break
    • Dec. 10 – Fall semester classes end
    • Dec. 19 – Last day of final exams, if applicable
    • Dec. 24-Fri., Jan. 1 – VUSM Administrative offices closed
  • Spring Semester 2027
    • Oct. 28 – Self-service registration opens for all returning students in YES
    • Jan. 11 – Spring semester classes begin
    • Jan. 18– Martin Luther King Jr. Day—No class or clinical activities
    • Jan. 22 – Last day for student self-enrollment changes
    • Mar. 13-Sun, Mar. 21 – Spring break
    • Apr. 26 – Spring semester classes end
    • May 6 – Last day of final exams, if applicable
    • May 14 – Commencement
  • Summer Session 2027
    • March 29 – Self-service registration opens for all students in YES
    • May 10 – May session classes begin
    • May 31 – Memorial Day—No class or clinical activities
    • June 4 – May session classes end
    • June 8 – Full summer session classes begin
    • June 18 – Juneteenth holiday (observed)–No classes or clinicals
    • July 5 – Independence Day (observed)—No class or clinical activities
    • Aug. 13 – Full summer session classes end

Fall 2026 Class Schedule (Click to open)

Fall 2026 Schedule

Faculty

Learn about our nationally recognized educators, clinicians, and researchers.

Course Descriptions

See required and elective coursework in the catalog.

Academics in Action

Read about current students’ experiences with the curriculum.