The Practice of Speech-Language Pathology in Saudi Arabia - Article overview

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel

Speech-language pathology (SLP) in Saudi Arabia has progressed since the first undergraduate SLP program was established in 1985 at King Saud University, reflected in more graduate and postgraduate education pathways, a growing workforce of practicing SLPs, and improved clinical competence and client services for communication and swallowing disorders. The article describes SLP education, internship structures, and licensing through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), then outlines challenges facing clinicians and the SLP profession, including training and qualification issues.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

SLP Education Pathways in Saudi Arabia

Undergraduate programs and internship requirements

Graduate and postgraduate programs

Licensing and Professional Practice

Role of SCFHS in licensure and monitoring

Clinical diploma in communication and swallowing disorders

Challenges for Clinicians and the Profession

The Practice of Speech-Language Pathology in Saudi Arabia Arab Journal of Applied Linguistics e-ISSN 2490-4198 Vol. 07, No. 01, 2022, 87-99 © AJAL [http://www.arjals.com](http://www.arjals.com) Alakeel1, A. I. (Ph.D. – SLP): Consultant Pathologist in Swallowing & Communication Disorders; Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Applied Medical Sciences-KSU, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract Since the first undergraduate program in SLP was established in 1985 at King Saud University, the SLP profession has witnessed remarkable advancement. This is reflected in the increase in the number of programs that offer graduate and postgraduate education, the rise in the number of practicing SLPs and their clinical skills, and the quality of services provided to clients with communication and swallowing disorders. This article will give information about SLP practice in Saudi Arabia, licensing systems , and challenges facing clinicians and the SLP profession. Keywords: 1 Corresponding author: Alakeel, A. I. Email: [ahmanakeel@gmail.com](ahmanakeel@gmail.com) The professional who provides assessment and therapy for communication and swallowing disorders is called a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) . Speech-Language Pathology, as a profession, is part of the applied medical specialties and health rehabilitation. Saudi Arabia, Jordan , and Egypt have well-established SLP professions compared to other Arab countries. In Jordan, there are bachelor’s and master’s programs, 4-and 2-year programs, respectively, in the field of speech-language pathology. In Egypt, the system is slightly different as SLP is considered a medical profession. In Egypt , MSc and Ph.D. programs are offered to physicians with bachelor’s degrees in medicine (the program is called “phoniatrics”). Individual bachelor programs exist in some other Arab countries, such as Kuwait, Lebanon, Tunisia , UAE, Morocco, Palestine, and Algeria. Apart from the Saudi SLP programs, all other programs in Arab countries do not require a year of internship when SLP students obtain their bachelor’s degrees. The first SLP bachelor’s program in Saudi Arabia was started at King Saud University’s (KSU) College of Applied Medical Sciences, as part of the health rehabilitation sciences department, in 1985 , and the program name is speech and hearing disorders. The program contains intensive clinical training, followed by a compulsory internship year, i.e., 12 months of dedicated , supervised clinical training. The trainee spends six months of their internship performing SLP services and the other 6 six months of their internship performing audiology services. Currently (March 2022), 615 males and females have graduated from KSU’s Speech and Hearing program. KSU continued to be the only university offering SLP programs in Saudi Arabia until Dar Al-Hekma University (DAH), a private university in Jeddah, launched an SLP program for female SLPs only. The first batch graduated from DAH in 2010; as of February 2022, 193 female SLPs have completed the program. Graduates are required to spend a year of internship practicing SLP under supervision. In 2012 Princess Nora University (PNU) launched two separate programs for females: one in SLP and the other one in audiology. Unlike KSU, where students study both professions in one program, PNU’s program is devoted to either SLP or Audiology. Students spend the whole year of internship practicing either SLP or audiology. The first batch of SLPs graduated from PNU in 2016, and 79 female SLPs have graduated. Two other SLP programs were launched two years ago, one at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and the other at King Khaled University in Abha. The first group is expected to graduate in 2025. Regarding postgraduate studies in speech-language pathology, DAH started a two-year M.Sc. program in SLP in 2017, and as of March 2022, 25 female SLPs graduated

FAQs

When did SLP training begin at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia?

The first undergraduate program in SLP was established at King Saud University in 1985.

Which organization provides practice licenses for health practitioners in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) provides practice licenses and supervises and monitors postgraduate clinical training.

How is the clinical diploma program in communication and swallowing disorders described?

It is a two-year, competency-based program that follows a medical model with rotation among clinical centers and requires mastery of skills across pediatric and adult communication and swallowing disorder areas.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel