History of the School

1947

• Memphis Speech and Hearing Center created in the Memphis Medical Center - first of its kind in the Mid-South

1963

• Construction of new building completed at present site (807 Jefferson Avenue)

1967

• The Center became associated with Memphis State University, and an undergraduate degree is established

1969

• The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology was created as an independent program. The undergraduate program was closed, and a Master's Degree offered in Audiology and Speech Pathology

1970

• First annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders held

1972

• Ph.D. program in Audiology and Speech Pathology began

1980

• Tenth annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders held

1984

• Designated a Tennessee Center of Excellence in Higher Education - Creation of Center for Research Initiative and Strategies for the Communicatively Impaired (CRISCI)

1989

• CRISCI was designated as an Accomplished Center of Excellence

1990

• Twentieth annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders held

1994

• The School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology was established in the renamed University of Memphis

1997

• The Memphis Speech and Hearing Center celebrated a half-century of excellence

1998

• The School was ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top ten graduate programs both in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2000

• Thirtieth annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders held

2001

• Clinical doctoral program in Audiology (Au.D.) began
• Chair of Excellence funded by the Plough Foundation was established

2002

• Continued ranking by US News and World Report as one of the top ten graduate programs both in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2004

• Continued ranking by US News and World Report as one of the top graduate programs both in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2007

• Grand Opening of Memphis Speech and Hearing Center East at 4075 Park Avenue, Suite 201

2008

• Continued ranking by US News and World Report as one of the top graduate programs both in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

2010

• Fortieth annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders held
• First Study Abroad trip to the CAES School for the Deaf in the Dominican Republic, along with students and faculty from the School of Nursing

2011

• Name of School changed to "School of Communication Sciences and Disorders"

2012

• Continued ranking by US News and World Report as one of the top graduate programs both in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• A local chapter of the Student Academy of Audiology was established

2015

• Moved to the Community Health Building, which is shared with the Loewenberg College of Nursing

2020

• Hosted the 50th annual student-led Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders