Tag Archives: Speech Pathology

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TSU Speech Pathology Program Recognized by U.S. News as a Top Graduate Program

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – During the celebration of National Speech-Language Pathologist Day in May, Tennessee State University was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Graduate Schools for Speech-Language Pathology for 2025. The honor highlights TSU’s commitment to academic excellence and community impact in Nashville and beyond.

Dakota Wilcox, a TSU Speech Pathology graduate student, right, works one on one with a local school-aged child as part of the university’s hands-on training clinic. (Photo courtesy of Tennessee State University)

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, which is housed in TSU’s College of Health Sciences, is known for its innovative and inclusive approach to education. It offers the state of Tennessee’s first distance-learning program in speech pathology and allows students to pursue their degree through either a traditional or part-time, eight-semester distance education format.

The department is led by Dr. Tina Smith, who serves as chair and plays a key role in the program’s ongoing success. The department continues to grow its reputation for excellence in both academics and community engagement.

Dr. Ronald Barredo, dean of the College of Health Sciences, emphasized the program’s impact on students and the community.

“The speech pathology clinic, plus their strong graduate outcomes, continues to show that we live by TSU’s motto: Think, Work, Serve,” Barredo said. “These are proud recognitions we want to share.”

Dr. Danielle Hayes Watson

The department hosts several programs throughout the year, one of which is the Language, Articulation, and Fluency (L.A.F.) Summer Clinic, a low-cost, six-week program that serves children across Metro Nashville between the ages of five and 13. For many of the programs and clinics within the department, participants receive evaluations and individualized plans tailored to their specific communication needs.

“Over time, we’ve grown our program by attracting high-quality students and strengthening our recruiting efforts to enhance every aspect of what we offer,” said Dr. Danielle Hayes Watson, the program admissions coordinator. “It’s exciting to see that growth recognized on a national level. This is not only a chance to highlight our program, but also the excellence of TSU’s faculty and students who will carry these experiences into the real world and make a lasting impact.”

The program produces students like Brandi BeCoats, M.S., CCC-SLP, a licensed speech pathologist, two-time TSU alumna, and Ph.D. candidate based in Texas. BeCoats noted that the program has been integral in preparing her for a career working with stroke survivors and individuals with other cognitive or communication disorders.

Brandi BeCoats, M.S., CCC-SLP

“The program prepares you for real-world clinical work, supported by hands-on, community-based activities and professors who dedicate time to meet the needs of individual students,” BeCoats said. “The ranking as one of the best schools is long overdue, and I proudly name TSU as the foundation for many of my greatest strengths that I carry with me in my career today.”

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is committed to providing a comprehensive program of academic and clinical instruction across the lifespan, leading to an applied understanding of the complex processes underlying human communication. The department’s mission centers on fostering a strong educational environment where faculty and staff help students acquire knowledge and skills, encourage intellectual curiosity, raise awareness of communication issues and promote responsible, ethical behavior.

In addition to serving the community, the program also gives graduate students the opportunity to build essential clinical skills, such as administering evaluations, setting goals, providing treatment, and tracking progress.

Before crossing the graduation stage, TSU’s Spring 2025 Speech Pathology graduates were honored at their official hooding ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Tennessee State University)

The department offers a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science, with nearly 100 students enrolled.

Before crossing the graduation stage, TSU’s Spring 2025 Speech Pathology graduates were honored at their official hooding ceremony. Surrounded by family, friends, and faculty, more than a dozen students received awards, shared special moments, and were hooded by those who helped shape their journey.

As TSU continues to expand its academic programs and initiatives, this national recognition reflects the strength of its speech-language pathology program, its leadership, student success, and impact across Tennessee and beyond.

Visit www.tnstate.edu/speechpath/  for more information regarding the program and or clinical services.

College of Health Sciences, FACULTY, Featured, FEATURED, NEWS, SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, Uncategorized

Local parent, graduate student say TSU speech pathology clinic gives children a new voice and a great experience

NASHVILLLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) –Kerri Claybrooks says the progress her children have made by attending the Tennessee State University summer speech pathology program is reason enough for her to put it on her calendar again. The mother of two has already made plans for them to return next summer to TSU’s Language, Articulation, and Fluency clinic.

Claybrooks admits she has witnessed her 6-year-old daughter blossom with her verbal requests, while her 8-year-old son has enhanced his conversational skills. The children have been a part of the university’s clinic and Speech Pathology and Audiology department program for more than four years.

“It has been a huge progress we’ve been able to see with this clinic,” Claybrooks adds. “The communication between the speech pathologists and everyone in the department has been wonderful.”

The free six-week program, located on the Avon Williams campus, serves children throughout the Metro Nashville, ages 5-14. The children receive a comprehensive evaluation of their speech and language skills followed by an individualized plan that targets their specific communication needs.

The program provides graduate students with an opportunity to practice clinical skills and certified Speech-Language Pathologists are hired to ensure that students are learning to use effective, evidence-based strategies. (Photo submitted)

Dr. Danielle Hayes Watson, Associate Professor, Admissions Coordinator and Director of the L.A.F. Clinic says the program’s objective is to reach children’s specific communication and speech goals while providing an intensive, quality program that is evidence-based and free for everyone.  

“One thing that I can say that makes our program great is the quality of services that we provide,” Watson says. “Our clinical supervisors are Speech Pathologists who work every day in a variety of settings. Because of this, they can train our students on the most current and effective practices. Our families come back year after year which is another sign that we are doing something right.” 

The summer program provides graduate students with practice clinical skills such as how to properly administer evaluations, write goals, treat, and measure progress. 

Tiara Delevoe, a second year Speech Language Pathologist graduate student, said this field chose her in high school when she baby sat an autistic child. She instantly fell in love with learning how to help and started her speech pathology journey shortly after.  

“I loved every minute of learning new ways to help him, which eventually encouraged me to get my bachelors in speech pathology,” Delevoe said. 

Tiara Delevoe said the clinic has guided her on how to implement goals while doing treatment in a field that she fell in love with in high school. She looks forward to finishing up her speech pathology journey and becoming a future clinician. (Photo submitted)

As the university’s summer clinic has come to an end, Delevoe stated that the hands-on experience was an eye opener that shows graduate students what it takes to become a clinician. 

“Going into the clinic I had no clue what types of personalities and abilities I would come across,” she said. “It helped to meet a variety of children and have different ideas from other clinicians on how to implement goals while doing treatment. As a future clinician, I will use the organizational skills and documentation guidelines I was provided.” 

Please contact Dr. Danielle Watson at 615-963-7092 or via email at [email protected] if you know of someone in need of speech pathology and audiology services and are interested in the six-week summer L.A.F children’s clinic.

If you are a student interested in the highly competitive graduate-level Speech Pathology Program ,please complete an application by visiting Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). Traditional students deadline for applying is February first of every year, while Distance Education student deadlines are set for June 1 each year.

Visit https://www.tnstate.edu/speechpath/  for more information regarding the program and or clinical services.

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Tennessee State University
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About Tennessee State University

Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 39 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and eight doctoral degrees. TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.