Welcome to the Communication and Learning Disorders Department
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication disorders and provides students with hands-on training through an on-campus speech, language and hearing clinic that serves area children and adults.
OLLU established the first program in Communication Disorders (CDIS) in South Texas more than 50 years ago and was the first institution in the state to combine professional training with clinical service through the Harry Jersig Speech and Hearing Center. The center provides assessment and intervention for speech, language and hearing disorders to both English and Spanish-speaking clients of all ages. At both the undergraduate and graduate level, students can earn optional bilingual certification.
Students also have the opportunity to join the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). The association, sponsored by the Communication Disorders Department, strives to build a closer affiliation between students and professionals in the field of communication disorders.
The CDIS Department has Three Programs:
- The undergraduate major in Speech-Language Pathology provides a pre-professional program for those preparing for graduate study in speech-language pathology. A minor is required in psychology (or other approved area) with this degree. The major is designed to satisfy some requirements for the TX license in speech-language pathology, althought no license is awarded until completion of the master's degree in speech-language pathology. The major does satisfy course requirements for speech-language pathology assistant license in the state of Texas.
- The post-baccalaureate Leveling Program in Speech-Language Pathology is a one year (two semester) pre-professional program for those preparing for graduate study in speech-language pathology who have completed an undergraduate degree in another discipline. The program does satisfy course requirements for speech-language pathology assistant licensure in the state of Texas.
- The MA in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and provides academic and clinical instruction sufficient for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology awarded by ASHA and licensure in the state of Texas. This is a two year full-time program.
Our Lady of the Lake University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Our Lady of the Lake University that fall under one of these areas: (1) to learn about the accreditation status of the institution, (2) to file a third-party comment at the time of the institution’s decennial review, or (3) to file a complaint against the institution for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement.