Division of Speech and Language Pathology

The Division of Speech and Language Pathology is responsible for the Speech and Language Pathology Program and conducts research and postgraduate training.

The Speech and Language Pathology Program is a four-year study program taught in Swedish (240 ECTS), where the last year is at the advanced level. The program leads to a degree in Speech and Language Pathology and the possibility to obtain a license to practice from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen). The Division also arranges free-standing first- and second-cycle courses in Speech and Language Pathology (in Swedish), where the latter can be part of a master’s degree or a postgraduate degree.  

At the division, research and postgraduate studies in Speech and Language Pathology are carried out in collaboration with clinical departments at the Karolinska University Hospital but also with departments at Stockholm University and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). Many research collaborations with other clinical units and universities both nationally and internationally also exist.

Our research is centred on human communication through the lifespan. Some examples of focus areas are factors that influence early speech development, technology-enhanced speech training, writing skills in developmental language disorder (DLD) and ADHD, and communication support for persons with dementia. Another research area in our division is dysphagia or difficulty swallowing; we use the same organs when we eat as when we speak.

We collaborate with researchers in disciplines such as linguistics, education, and psychology. Our researchers participate in networks nationally as well as internationally. Our research is mostly clinically oriented, and projects are conducted in cooperation with clinical departments at Karolinska University Hospital and other places. We have a particularly close partnership with the Medical Unit in Speech and Language Pathology at Karolinska University Hospital, where a number of our researchers have clinical positions as speech and language pathologists.

Our research projects and networks

The Division has the main responsibility for courses in the 4-year Study Programme in Speech and Language Pathology at Karolinska Institutet.

About the Study Programme in Speech and Language Pathology

The Study Programme first started in 1964 as the first education of speech and language pathologists in Sweden. The programme leads to a degree in Speech and Language Pathology, a professional degree at advanced level (Master one year). The education is multidisciplinary and includes studies in Speech and Language Pathology, Psychology, Phonetics, Linguistics and Medical subjects.

Clinical training under supervision is included in the education and when students have graduated they can apply for their certification to practice as a speech and language pathologist from the National Board of Health and Welfare.

Are you considering a doctoral programme in speech and language pathology? If you have a degree in speech and language pathology or another advanced degree, doctoral studies may be for you.

Scientific afternoons in Speech and Language Pathology

In January each year the Division of Speech and Language Pathology and the Medical Unit for SLP at the Karolinska University Hospital arrange an afternoon where researchers and clinicians share new research in and knowledge from different areas within the field (in Swedish). An invitation is extended to clinical SLPs and is free of charge.

For previous programs, please see our Swedish web page.