Opportunities

Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

SPLH majors can get involved in research through two options: Directed Study and the Departmental Honors Program. Both give you the unique opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on original research that makes a real impact. 

  • Directed Study has no GPA requirement and is typically a one-semester project arranged directly with a faculty mentor.
  • Departmental Honors requires a 3.5 GPA in the major and 6–8 credits of research (e.g., SPLH 498) over 2–4 semesters.

To get started, visit the SPLH Undergraduate Research page to learn more, see deadlines, and view recent student projects.

KU also offers additional opportunities to participate and fund your research through the KU Center for Undergraduate Research. Programs that past SPLH students have participated in include the Undergraduate Research Awards, the Emerging Scholars Program, the Global Scholars Program, and the McNair Scholars Program.

Questions? Contact Dr. Panying Rong (prong@ku.edu). 

Getting Involved in Service Activities

Many students are drawn to SPLH because they want to make a difference in people’s lives. At KU, undergraduates are encouraged to build their interpersonal and professional skills by working directly with diverse populations which is an essential step toward a career in a helping profession.

As a senior, you may have the opportunity to enroll in a clinical practicum in either audiology (SPLH 670) or speech-language pathology (SPLH 672). These practicums take place in the on-campus Schiefelbusch Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic and allow you to apply your classroom knowledge in real-world settings. To be eligible, you must complete the appropriate pre-practicum coursework: SPLH 568 for audiology or SPLH 571 for speech-language pathology. Summer practicum opportunities are also available.

Because these experiences are intensive and closely supervised, enrollment is limited each semester. If you're not able to participate in a practicum, but don’t worry KU offers many other meaningful ways to work with people, including opportunities through the Center for Community Outreach and KU Alternative Breaks.

No matter which path you take, you’ll gain valuable experience that prepares you for graduate school and beyond.

Build Your Leadership Skills 

Leadership is an important part of any career in communication sciences and SPLH majors at KU have great opportunities to grow as leaders both on campus and nationally.

Get involved with KU NSSLHA, our local chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Through meetings, events, and volunteer opportunities, you’ll connect with peers, professionals, and the broader community while developing your leadership and service skills.

At the national level, the Minority Student Leadership Program (MSLP) offers a competitive leadership development experience for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Seniors selected for the program participate in hands-on training and networking at the ASHA Convention. Applications are due in the spring of your junior year.

You can also explore broader leadership pathways through KU’s Institute for Leadership Studies, which offers a minor in leadership studies and a variety of programs designed to help you lead with purpose and impact.

Whether through student organizations, national programs, or academic minors, KU offers plenty of ways to lead and grow in SPLH.

Expand Your World: Studying Abroad as an SPLH Major

Studying abroad is a powerful way for SPLH majors to build cultural competence—the ability to effectively engage with people from diverse backgrounds. These cross-cultural skills not only enrich your academic and personal growth but also give you a competitive edge for graduate programs and career opportunities after KU.

Whether you're interested in short-term faculty-led programs, summer internships, or full semester experiences, there are study abroad options tailored to SPLH students. KU Study Abroad can help you find a program that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.

Recent trips include:

  • Bulgaria (Summer 2025):
  • Dominica (Spring Break 2025): Led by Drs. Krysta Green and Kate DeJarnette, KU brought the island’s first-ever community-based audiology & speech‑language clinic. Offering free, open-access screenings, assessments, hearing‑aid fittings, and caregiver training across homes, schools, and an infirmary serving dozens of residents in need.
  • Belize (Spring Break 2024): SPLH students provided critical hearing and speech-language services to underserved communities, helping expand access to essential care. This initiative aimed to identify needs for ongoing speech-language-hearing support and develop collaborative partnerships with teachers and parents. 

 

The links below will help you begin to explore your options. After you have reviewed these materials, please visit the KU Office of Study Abroad for further assistance in identifying the right program for you. They are located in 105 Lippincott Hall with office hours Monday-Friday 9-5 or you can email studyabroad@ku.edu. 


 

Study AbroadView as gallery page