Lincoln

The program in speech-language pathology prepares practitioners, researchers, and scholars to work with persons with communication difficulties at all ages, and to advance the understanding of communication processes, communication disorders, and speech and language sciences.

Our master's degree program in speech-language pathology is rated in the top 10 percent of programs in the country. Students in this program enjoy a balance of research and clinical practice, a diverse client load, caring faculty and staff, and a variety of clinical experiences. (SLPs are ranked among Best Jobs in America by Money Magazine.)

The Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) degree is the entry-level requirement to become an audiologist. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Au.D. degree will take four years, including three summer semesters for a total of 11 terms, to complete all academic and clinical requirements. The program is comprised of three years (eight terms) of coursework and clinical practicum placements followed by an offsite externship in the fourth year (three terms).

The Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers you the best preparation for an exciting future in the audiology profession! Students are fully engaged in classes and clinic from the first day in the program. Students also have opportunities to conduct research, and complete practicum activities at the Barkley Memorial Center and sites throughout Nebraska and the United States. (Audiology is rated one of the best jobs of 2015 by CareerCast.com, Forbes and Time magazines.)

Occupational therapy is a health care profession using purposeful activity (occupation) as a means of preventing, reducing, or overcoming physical, social, and emotional challenges in people of all ages. The occupational therapist utilizes practical activities to encourage the recovering patient's involvement in meaningful daily living. An occupational therapist works with individuals whose participation in life has been impaired by physical injury or illness, developmental or learning disabilities, psychological or emotional problems or the aging process.

The pre-physical therapy program offers foundational knowledge on the role of physical therapists in promoting human health and function through movement therapies. Gain scientific foundation to prepare for nationally recognized certification examinations and graduate programs. Pre-physical therapy students create a plan to declare an academic program and earn a bachelor’s degree. Nutrition and health sciences is an excellent major for those aspiring to pursue a physical therapy graduate program.

Typically, an occupational therapist earns a four-year undergraduate degree and then a two-year master's in occupational therapy before becoming licensed to practice.

But at Union, our unique bridge program allows students to earn an occupational therapy assistant associate degree in two years and then transitions directly into the Master of Occupational Therapy bridge program for another two years. That means graduating with a master's degree in a total of four years instead of six or more!

Admission to a doctor of physical therapy school (3-year program) requires pre-requisites including: one year each of anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Additionally, coursework in psychology, English, and statistics is often required.

Most schools require a minimum GPA of 3.0, however, their accepted GPA is often closer to 3.5. Students typically take the GRE during the summer between their junior and senior year at NWU.

Our graduates have a 90 percent acceptance rate (5-year average) into PT programs nationwide.

Admission to a master’s or doctor of occupational therapy school (2- or 3-year program) requires pre-requisites including: one year of anatomy and physiology as well as coursework in psychology, ethics, medical terminology and statistics. Students typically take the GRE during the summer between their junior and senior year at NWU. Our graduates have a 95 percent acceptance rate (5-year average) into OT programs nationwide.