Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s audiology and speech-language pathology graduate programs are No. 1 in the country once again, according to 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings published today by U.S. News & World Report.
The Doctor of Audiology program topped the list of 74 contenders and the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program ranked above 282 others. Both disciplines have been previously ranked once every four years, with No. 1 status for audiology since 2004 and speech-language pathology since 2012. The rankings will be annual starting this year.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our entire faculty and staff who each, in different ways, contribute to the excellence of our graduate programs,” said Anne Marie Tharpe, PhD, Vickie and Thomas Flood Professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences and chair of the department. “Our teaching, clinical and research missions are well aligned — ensuring that our students obtain cohesive educational experiences.
“By recognizing that students are active learners who learn by doing and reflection, we are able to encourage the development of problem-solving and self-directed learning skills that are essential for long-term, effective clinical practice. It is this philosophy that distinguishes our program from others,” Tharpe said.
Audiology and speech-language pathology are both vital disciplines that focus on diagnosing, treating and preventing speech, language and hearing disorders. Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders, while speech-language pathologists help individuals overcome challenges related to speech, language and swallowing.
Together, they improve the lives of people with a wide range of communication disorders, from newborns identified in the nurseries with hearing loss to adults suffering from neurogenic communication disorders secondary to stroke, traumatic brain injury and other acquired conditions.
“Our graduates repeatedly tell me that they are amazed by the breadth of clinical experiences and the state-of-the-art training provided in their classes,” said Todd Ricketts, PhD, Thomas L. and Jane Wilkerson Yount Professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences and vice chair of Graduate Studies. “In my view, this really reflects the people here. The majority of our faculty are well recognized, often worldwide, as experts in their respective areas. We are fortunate that our faculty and clinicians attract exceptionally strong students who are also instrumental in our success.”
With a growing demand for qualified clinicians in both fields, graduate programs in audiology and speech-language pathology play an integral role in shaping future developments in these fields. As advancements in research and technology continue to emerge, the best programs strive to stay cutting-edge, ensuring that their graduates are prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow’s health care landscape.
