Frequently Asked Questions

• The Department of ASP is administered by the College of Health Professions at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC).
• Students majoring in undergraduate or graduate level programs in audiology and/or speech pathology enroll in their coursework via UTHSC Banner and earn their degrees from UTHSC.
• The majority of UTHSC degree programs are located in Memphis, but there are UTHSC programs across the state of Tennessee, including ours.

• ASP, while administered by the UTHSC College of Health Professions in Memphis, is physically located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
• All ASP faculty, classes, and campus clinics are located on the UT Knoxville campus.
• Program-approved externship experiences for the last semester of the MS SLP program and the last three semesters of the AuD program may be located anywhere in the United States.
• Other UTHSC degree programs located in Knoxville include the Graduate School of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, and portions of the College of Dentistry.

• ASP students are eligible for all services offered to UTK students.
• ASP students have access to a Vol Card, athletic events, health services, student recreation centers, libraries, parking, etc. on the UTK campus - just as if they were a registered student at UTK.

For the application process, please visit the Degree Programs section of the website and choose the program in question.

Typically, the AuD and PhD degrees are completed in 4 years. The MS program in SLP is 3 years long but, prior to enrollment in the graduate program, if you already have taken the majority of the courses required in the first year of the graduate program, you have the opportunity to waive the first 3 semesters of coursework and it will take you 2 years to complete your degree.

Not at this time.

• To determine eligibility for federal financial aid (e.g., federal student loans), students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid-FAFSA application, selecting UTHSC (code #: 006725) as the as the first school choice.  The FAFSA typically becomes available on October 1 for the next school year.
• DO NOT select UTK as the first school choice or your federal financial aid will be delayed.
• All sources of financial aid i.e., Pell Grant, student loans, work-study, Hope Scholarship and TSAA grant for those ASP students who are eligible is awarded through UTHSC.
• Please Note:  At the designated time before classes begin, financial aid will be applied to students’ accounts for payment of tuition/fees.  Based on federal regulations, student aid can only be applied a few days before classes begin.
• Work-study positions within the Department are available for students who have applied for, and are eligible for, federal financial aid.  These positions are assigned by the chair of ASP on a first-come, first-serve basis at the start of each academic year and typically involve up to 10 hours of work/week within the Department.
• Questions regarding financial aid should be addressed to the Office of Financial Aid.

Yes, it depends on your classes and clinic caseload at the time, but there are plenty ofsocial opportunities.

Some students have off-campus jobs. These are usually evening/weekend jobs since classes and clinical placements start in the morning and go through the day. Some students find jobs like babysitting or tutoring due to the short hours and limited time commitment (e.g., 1-3 times a week). There is also the chance to apply to become a work study student, which allows students to work in the department between classes and clinic.

The area of Knoxville in which we are located is generally safe. Students should nonetheless take typical precautions: lock your vehicle when unattended, hide valuables in your vehicle out of view, walk with a buddy at night, etc.

The university offers several parking options that are described on their website: Student - Parking and Transportation | The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Since the Conference Center is located on the perimeter of campus, one cost-effective option at UT is called “Park and Ride.” With this approach, you park at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum using the Park and Ride Pass and then ride the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) bus directly to the Conference Center. The KAT system is fare free with UT Identification. It is a very short bus ride and would be a great option. 

There is a public parking garage called the Locust Street Garage, located across the street from the Conference Center, and another close one called the Market Street Garage, but they can fill up and should not be used as your primary parking plan.

It’s up to you! Many graduate students prefer living off-campus, as those housing options may have less of a “party” atmosphere.

Our students have some housing option suggestions. Please note these suggestions are provided by students and are not necessarily endorsed by the university.

Knoxville is an extremely diverse area. There are tons of local spots to listen to live music, shop, visit museums, and see local art. For the outdoorsy type, there is plenty of hiking, fishing, water sports, running, rock climbing, etc. The old city has a fun nightlife, and there are famous local attractions to visit. The list of things to do in Knoxville is never- ending.

Knoxville is a city that loves to move! With the mountains and lakes so close, water sports and hiking are popular choices for many students. Knoxville has an annual marathon and hosts various 5Ks and 10Ks. Knoxville also has tons of greenways that are perfect for walks and runs. No matter where you live (in town or in the suburbs), there are lots ways to stay fit.

The cost of rentals in the area is ever changing. Prices are variable subject to how many roommates you have, what part of town you live in, and what type of housing you prefer (house, apartment, townhome, etc.).

One of the best things about this program (from a student perspective) is the closeness of the faculty and students. The faculty members truly care about each student and their success. They are always available for assistance and demonstrate a true sense of care for each student.

Students who have conducted research may want to present (PhD students, master’s thesis, AuD research project) at American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention or other meetings. In these cases, there may be some funding support for participation. Students who want to go on their own usually must pay themselves.

All departmental scholarships are awarded to students based on their performance after their first year of graduate school. There are a small number of university scholarships that are awarded to incoming students. Students applying to the program are automatically considered. There is no separate application.