College of Education and Professional Studies

Speech-Language Pathology

History of the UCO Speech-Language Pathology Program

The UCO Speech-Language Pathology program was established in 1964. In 1978, the program implemented the Master degree program. The graduate program achieved national accreditation by the Council for Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 1993. The program was located in Old North until 2001 and moved into new faculty offices and clinical spaces in 2005. The UCO program is committed to giving students a broad knowledge base and balanced experiences with a variety of clients and patients to prepare them for any employment setting they might choose during their careers.

Program Mission Statements

In reflecting the mission of the University of Central Oklahoma, the UCO Speech-Language Pathology program has adopted the following missions:

The program will train professionals in Speech-Language Pathology who meet the academic and practicum requirements for the recognized credentials of their profession and who furthermore exemplify high standards of ethics and professional conduct.
The program will provide students with mastery of their chosen area of study that is based on a broader understanding of the basic principles of humankind and its social and physical environment.
The program will blend and balance education, service, and research to address the problems of the community, state of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City metroplex area served by the program and university.

Program Accreditation - ASHA Council of Academic Affairs

The University of Central Oklahoma graduate program holds accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Accreditation from the CAA indicates that a training program has made application to and has been examined by the CAA, including a site visit, to demonstrate that it meets the standards set forth by ASHA CAA.

The CAA sets forth guidelines and requirements in the areas of administrative support, faculty and instructional staff, academic and clinical education, students, and program resources. The UCO Speech-Language Pathology program achieved CAA accreditation in 1993 and was most recently re-accredited in 2006 for an eight-year period ending in 2014. An accreditation report is submitted annually to the ASHA CAA.

Questions or comments can be directed to the ASHA Council on Academic Accreditation at 1-800-498-2071.

Career Opportunities

Public Schools
Hospitals
Rehabilitation Agencies
State Guidance Centers
Early Intervention Agencies (Sooner Start)
Private Practice

More Information

Related Professional Associations

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (OBESPA)
Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSHA)

Faculty

Dr. Scott McLaughlin, Professor, Program Coordinator
Dr. Mike McKaig, Associate Professor
Dr. Linda Sealey, Assistant Professor
Mrs. Rebecca Reynolds, Clinic Coordinator
Mrs. Elaine Martindale, Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Brandon Vincent, Staff Audiologist
Ms. Cathy Blakley, Administrative Secretary
Mrs. Monica Benear, Adjunct Instructor/Clinical Supervisor
Dr. Judith Black, Adjunct Instructor
Mrs. Sheryle Birdsong, Adjunct Instructor
Mrs. Melanie Coldren, Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Debbie Barker, Clinical Supervisor
Mr. Harden Hassell, Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Kathy McLaughlin, Clinical Supervisor
Ms. Carolyn Messick, Clinical Supervisor
Ms. Sarah Montgomery, Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Lucynda Olberding, Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Ann Carey, Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, Clinical Supervisor
Mrs. Susan Thompson, Clinical Supervisor

University of

Central Oklahoma