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Contact UsMaking an impact: An update on the Spanish-English Bilingual Concentration in 海角直播 Denver鈥檚 Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program
Ilana Oliff (center) MA, CCC-SLP, bilingual speech-language pathologist and Director of Clinical Education for SLHS with the 2026 bilingual concentration graduates. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with individuals with communication鈥痙isorders and differences. Colorado consistently faces a shortage of SLPs who identify as Spanish-English bilingual.鈥疉dditionally, disparities in age of diagnosis and access to services in public schools, hospitals and other clinical settings are common among clients from Hispanic/Latinx/o/a backgrounds.听
罢丑别鈥�Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) at Metropolitan State University of Denver is actively working to reduce the shortage of bilingual SLPs in Colorado. The bilingual concentration includes three classes, Foundations of Bilingualism, Bilingual Service Delivery in Early Intervention and Schools, and Bilingual Service Delivery in Medical/Clinical Settings, and an optional 3-week study abroad at the
Read more about the exciting work our students are doing !
So, as we celebrate Hispanic and Latinx/o/a鈥疕eritage Month, we are excited to share outcomes from this important work!听
By the numbers:听听
Since the MS-SLP and the bilingual concentration launched in the summer of 2022, we have a total of 101 current and graduated SLPs. Of the 48 alums, thirty-three percent (16)听have graduated with the Spanish-English bilingual concentration; of those, most have stayed in Colorado to serve the Hispanic and Latinx/o/a members of the community.
About half of our alumni are working in public schools supporting high numbers of Spanish speaking students, while other half are working in hospitals or clinics, including the , and rural hospitals in Alamosa and Montrose Colorado. 听
What our students say:听听
鈥�Being given guidance by my clinical educators helped so much and was appreciated. Especially with bilingual and monolingual Spanish speakers. These pediatric and adult populations at times felt overwhelming, but the bilingual CE’s were always on it and explained it beautifully.鈥� – Angie G, 2026 graduate
鈥淢y professor continually encouraged me to embrace my culture and use my Spanish as a true strength. Her consistent support helped me feel more confident in professional spaces where I once felt uncertain or hesitant. She consistently pushed me to recognize the unique value I bring to clients and to myself as a bilingual professional. Her teaching extends far beyond the classroom, influencing the way I understand my identity, my future, and my role in the field.鈥� – Caro C, 2026 graduate
To learn more about the MS-SLP and bilingual concentration, click here or contact Ilana Oliff at [email protected]