397 – SLP to SLPD: What the Clinical Doctorate Actually Looks Like from the Inside
Swallow Your Pride Podcast
Theresa Richard, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S
4.8 • 899 Ratings
🗓️ 11 May 2026
⏱️ 49 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
On this episode of Swallow Your Pride, we are talking about what SLPD is the SLPD, and who is it actually for? Theresa sits down with four speech-language pathologists who pursued the clinical doctorate while working full time, raising families, and staying deeply rooted in patient care. Dr. Erin McCarthy (D'Youville University / Northwestern), Dr. Irene Brettman (Mass General / MGH Institute), Dr. D'Anna Nowack (Baylor University / Nova Southeastern), and Dr. Courtney V. Moore (Rocky Mountain University) share why they chose the SLPD over the PhD or EdD, what the programs actually cover (hint: way more than you'd expect), and how the degree changed their career trajectories in ways they didn't see coming. They also break down the recent elimination of the CAA's 51% faculty rule and what that means for clinician-educators across the country. Whether you're considering an advanced degree or just curious about what the SLPD brings to the table, this one's worth your time.
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The post 397 – SLP to SLPD: What the Clinical Doctorate Actually Looks Like from the Inside appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | On this episode of the Swalier Pride podcast, we have four incredible guests on the show today. |
| 0:06.0 | And instead of reading you all four full long bios, I'm going to just give you a quick version. |
| 0:10.7 | I don't mean to downplay any of the amazing credentials or success that they have, just so we can be timely with this. |
| 0:16.8 | So first up, we have Dr. Aaron McCarthy. |
| 0:19.2 | She's a board certified specialist in swallowing disorders |
| 0:21.5 | and the director of clinical education at Deuville University's graduate SLP program and the owner of |
| 0:27.8 | Rochester Feeding and Swallowing Therapy in Rochester, New York. Her clinical work spans pediatric |
| 0:32.5 | dysphasia, adult neurogenic dysphasia, post-accipation dysphasia, and the role of oral care in preventing |
| 0:38.1 | non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia. |
| 0:41.1 | Joining her is Dr. Courtney Moore. |
| 0:42.8 | He is assistant program director at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. |
| 0:46.7 | Courtney brings over 15 years of clinical experience and his doctoral capstone focused on dysphasia care for acute stroke patients. |
| 0:53.6 | Next, we have Dr. Deanna |
| 0:55.1 | Nowak, a certified SLP and certified brain injury specialist with more than 25 years in neuroreabilitation. |
| 1:01.7 | She's an assistant clinical professor and assistant clinical director for the Baylor Online |
| 1:05.8 | program with deep experience across inpatient rehab, acute care, and long-term care |
| 1:10.1 | focused on dysphasia, motor speech, and adult neurocognitive disorders. |
| 1:14.2 | Her dissertation focused on evidence-based practice in the medical setting. |
| 1:18.2 | And last but not least, we have Dr. Irene Brettman. |
| 1:20.7 | She's an in-patient, acute, and outpatient medical SLP in Boston, |
| 1:25.1 | and an instructor in the MS and SLPD programs at the MGH |
| 1:29.3 | Institute of Health Professions. |
... |
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