Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Be the Voice for Speech-Language Pathology. Earn Your SLPD.Online or Limited-Residency | 28 Months | Clinical Doctorate
Cohort Starts Annually
Learning Models
Months
Credits
Our SLPD Program
SLPD Program Highlights
Enhance Clinical, Research, Leadership & Supervision Skills
Advance your clinical knowledge, skills, and marketability; further your career opportunities in the field, and better serve your patients with communication and swallowing disorders. Learn how to research clinically and how to apply the best research for your patients. Prepare to be a clinical supervisor or to assume a leadership role. Advocate within the profession and the healthcare field.
Designed for Working Speech-Language Pathologists
Most SLPD students are full-time working professionals with busy schedules. We have students who have practiced for 30 years, as well as students who have just finished their master’s in speech-language pathology. Your course load is designed to be completed on top of a full-time job; coursework and instructional materials are available to you 24/7.
Choose Between a Limited-Residency or an Online-only Program
Our SLPD program has 2 models you can choose from. While our online program has no onsite visits, the limited residency model is primarily online, with 3 onsite visits across the program. Each of these 3-6 day visits allows SLPD students to network with other professionals while working together in a hands-on environment. Our students often report that the onsite visits are among the best experiences of the program.
Evidence-Based
Become an evidence-based clinician. Our program is built on the basis of evidence. Learn how to research efficiently, evaluate, interpret, and apply the best practices. Become the best clinician possible so that your patients receive the care they need.
2 Start Dates Each Year
Start when it’s right for you. Start dates for summer (May) include both models, limited-residency and online-only; start dates for fall (August) include the online-only model.
Program Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to help you advance your career as a Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology. We prepare you to make a bigger difference in your patients’ lives and in the field.

Clinical Supervision
Capstone
Determine an area of clinical specialization. Become an expert in your chosen area of specialty through research and capstone project creation.
Evidence-Based Practice
Dive deep into evidence-based practice and applied clinical reasoning. You’ll learn research design, biostatistics, how to evaluate and apply research literature, and more. Become an evidence-based speech-language pathologist.
IMPORTANT DATES
Summer 2022
Priority Application Deadline: March 7, 2022
Final Application Deadline: April 4, 2022
Semester Start: May 2, 2022
Fall 2022
Priority Application Deadline: July 5, 2022
Final Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
Semester Start: August 29, 2022
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited institution (or foreign equivalent)
- Minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- 2 letters of recommendation
Clinical Rotation Requirements including required vaccinations: Admitted students to Rocky Mountain University who will be completing a clinical rotation will receive vaccination forms regarding required vaccinations. Not all vaccinations or proof of immunity are required at the beginning of the program but will be prior to the first clinical rotation. The University allows for vaccination exemptions and more information about the University’s position on vaccination can be reviewed at https://rm.edu/vaccination-statement/
RMUoHP requires the following items prior to starting any clinical rotations (these are subject to change depending upon public health concerns and specific clinic requirements):
- MMR
- Varicella
- Hepatitis B
- TB
- Tdap
- Annual Influenza
- COVID 19
- HIPAA certification
- OSHA certification
- CPR certification
Faculty

Sandra Shigetomi-Toyama
ClinScD, CCC-SLP
Program Director, Doctor of Speech Language Pathology

Courtney Moore
C.Sc.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Program Director, Doctor of Speech Language Pathology

Sandra Combs
PhD, CCC-SLP
Program Capstone Coordinator / Associate Professor, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Kelly Robinson
C.Sc.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Capstone Coordinator, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Trever J. Ball
PhD, MPH, MS
Faculty, PhD in Health Science, DMSc in Medical Science, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Alan Gravano
PhD
Writing Center Director; Professional Writing Instructor

Darcy Hammar
CIM
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology, Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, and Doctor of Nursing Practice

Amber B. Heape
C.Sc.D., CCC-SLP
Faculty, Doctorate of Speech Language Pathology
Denise Pickett-Bernard
PhD, RDN, LDN, IFNCP, IFMCP
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Dawn R. Girten
SLPD, CCC-SLP
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Kimberly Peer
EdD, AT, FNATA
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Patricia Grace-Farfaglia
MS, MBA, PHD, RDN, FAND
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
Jeanne Chaclas
MBA, C.Sc.D., CCC-SLP
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Shelley Victor
EdD, CCC-SLP
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Mary Jean Taylor
PT, PhD, PCS
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Brigitta Walker
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Kelly Potteiger
PhD, ATC
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

J. Mace Hamblin
DHSc, MPA
Faculty, Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology
UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (8060 165th Avenue NE Ste 100, Redmond, WA 98052-3981), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education.
PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) accredits eligible clinical doctoral programs in audiology and master’s degree programs in speech-language pathology. For clinical doctoral programs in speech-language pathology, there is currently no specialized accrediting body.