Clinical Education

radiology screen pointing

About the Experience

The clinical education of future speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is at the heart of our program with active clinical experiences each semester. During the first semester, students are introduced to MUSC hospitals and clinics, providing orientation, observation prior to hands-on experiences, and early supervised clinical experiences as appropriate.

The large variety of patients cared for at MUSC hospitals and clinics gives students the chance to be immersed in all aspects of patient care. Each student’s participation in clinical activities is carefully coordinated with the program’s Director of Clinical Education and the supervising clinical educator. Each clinical experience is paired with didactic coursework and clinical skills check-offs. The didactic coursework allows program faculty to define the optimal clinical learning experiences for each student depending on their interests and progression with knowledge and skills.

In addition to clinical rotations, case studies and clinical skills check-offs are a focus of our interactive classroom. The clinical skills check-offs (e.g., accurately conducting a cranial nerve exam) ensure that students are engaged in practicing and refining their clinical skills throughout the entire curriculum, not just in a clinical setting. Clinical skills check-offs are commonly used in the education of other clinicians at MUSC (medical students, physical therapy, etc.), and we are excited to incorporate them into SLP education.

Sample Clinical Rotations

Hours listed below signify clock hours of supervised clinical experiences expected in each semester. Total minimum hours in direct supervised clinical experiences is 475. 

Semester 1 (≈ 50 hrs.)

Orientation, Observation & Practicum at MUSC Health (adult inpatient)

Semester 2 (≈ 40 hrs.)

Adult inpatient or outpatient (MUSC Health or local facility)

Semester 3 (≈ 40 hrs.)

Pediatric outpatient (MUSC Health)

Semester 4 (≈ 60 hrs.)

School

Semester 5 (≈ 60 hrs.)

Student interest dependent (adult / pediatric, inpatient / outpatient / school)

Semester 6 (≈ 250 hrs.)

Full-time externship (dependent on student interest)

CARES Therapy Clinic

The Community Aid Relief, Education, and Support (CARES) Therapy Clinic is a student-run, pro-bono clinic offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to uninsured and underinsured individuals in the Charleston, SC community. Under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists, students will work with clients on deficits in receptive and expressive language, motor speech, cognitive communication, and swallowing disorders. Clients visiting the clinic may have had a stroke, brain injury, hearing loss, developmental delay, a cleft palate, or cerebral palsy.

For Clinical Educators

You can help prepare future speech-language pathologists and make a difference in our profession. The Division of Speech-Language Pathology at MUSC is always looking for new opportunities to provide clinical education for our students. We are currently seeking clinical educators for all settings including adult and pediatric medical placements in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, hospital outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities, as well as private practices and schools.

Learn how you can get involved.