Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
An endowed academic department within Northwestern University's School of Communication that delivers top-ranked graduate programs in audiology (AuD) and speech-language pathology (MSSLL) while operating the NUCASLL clinical facility, serving approximately 8,000 patients annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersEvanston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders does
The Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is an endowed academic department within Northwestern University's School of Communication, established in 2005 through a charitable gift from alumni Richard and Roxelyn Pepper (both class of 1953). The department focuses on the science and clinical practice of human hearing, speech, language, learning, and swallowing, operating as a hybrid research-academic-clinical unit. It houses two nationally ranked graduate programs: the Doctor of Audiology (AuD), ranked #2 nationally by US News and World Report (up from #3), and the Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning (MSSLL), ranked #3 nationally (up from #4). The AuD program enrolls approximately 18 students per cohort across 12 quarters, while the MSSLL serves roughly 125 students across the two-year program.
The department operates the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL), an interdisciplinary clinical facility that accommodates 5,000-7,000 clinical sessions annually and serves approximately 8,000 patients across the lifespan. NUCASLL functions simultaneously as a clinical service provider and a teaching facility for AuD and MSSLL students, integrating audiology and speech-language pathology services under one roof. The department also houses the Knowles Hearing Center, a specialized research center focused on hearing science and auditory research. Core subject areas include hearing loss and management, speech perception, psychoacoustics, cochlear physiology, and auditory neuroscience.
The department's revenue model is a composite of academic tuition (for AuD and MSSLL programs), clinical services revenue through NUCASLL, and research funding. As a university department, it does not publish standalone financials, and pricing is governed by Northwestern's institutional fee structure. Customer segments split between graduate students pursuing clinical careers and clinical patients seeking diagnostic and therapeutic services for communication and hearing disorders. Strategic partnerships span Northwestern Medicine (clinical services integration), the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts (interdisciplinary theatre-SLP collaborations including Theatre for the Very Young programming for infants and young children aged zero to five), and the Pepper Family Foundation as a financial backer. The department is led by Chair Bharath Chandrasekaran, with Kristine Riley directing the AuD program and Stacy Kaplan directing the MSSLL program.
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Legal name
- Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Website
- https://communication.northwestern.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- An endowed academic department within Northwestern University's School of Communication that delivers top-ranked graduate programs in audiology (AuD) and speech-language pathology (MSSLL) while operating the NUCASLL clinical facility, serving approximately 8,000 patients annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Clinical Services in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- NAICS
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (61171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)
- SIC
- Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) & Swallowing Therapy Centers (HLADAJAF), Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ), Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC), Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA), Medicine & Allied Health (Clinical) (EDAGABAG)
Keywords
Where Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Evanston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Academic Tuition and Programs: Revenue generated from graduate and undergraduate degree programs including AuD and MSSLL programs
- Clinical Services Revenue: Revenue from Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL) serving 5,000-7,000 sessions annually across the lifespan
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The department delivers top-ranked graduate clinical education in audiology (AuD, ranked #2 nationally) and speech-language pathology (MSSLL, ranked #3 nationally), alongside lifespan clinical services through NUCASLL that handles 5,000-7,000 sessions annually as both a teaching and service facility. It also operates the Knowles Hearing Center for hearing science research and pursues interdisciplinary initiatives in collaboration with peer departments such as Theatre.
Product overview
The Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University offers a portfolio of academic programs (AuD and MSSLL) and clinical services through NUCASLL. The department operates as an academic unit within the School of Communication, providing graduate education in audiology and speech-language pathology while delivering clinical services to approximately 8,000 patients annually. The department's programs are nationally ranked (AuD #2, MSSLL #3) and supported by research centers including the Knowles Hearing Center.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL): State-of-the-art interdisciplinary clinical facility serving 5,000-7,000 sessions annually, providing audiology and speech-language pathology services
- Knowles Hearing Center
Products and services
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD) Program A Doctor of Audiology (AuD) graduate program ranked #2 nationally by US News and World Report (up from #3). Welcomes approximately 18 students each year across 12 quarters of academic coursework, supervised clinical practicums, and capstone research, covering hearing loss management, speech perception, psychoacoustics, cochlear physiology, and auditory neuroscience. Designed for prospective clinical audiologists.
- Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning (MSSLL) Program A Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning (MSSLL) program ranked #3 nationally by US News and World Report (up from #4). Combines concept-based and immersive curricula with clinical training, team-based learning, and assessment to prepare clinicians for leadership in speech-language pathology. Serves approximately 125 students across both years of the two-year program.
- NU Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL) Clinical Services An interdisciplinary clinical service combining audiology and speech-language pathology care across the lifespan. NUCASLL delivers 5,000-7,000 clinical sessions annually to patients of all ages and simultaneously serves as a teaching facility for graduate students in the AuD and MSSLL programs.
- Knowles Hearing Center Research A specialized research center focused on hearing science and auditory research, situated within the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Supports the department's research mission and complements the clinical services delivered through NUCASLL.
Companies that use Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Department of TheatrecoreThree collaborative initiatives: introducing kids and teens who stutter to improv; offering vocal screenings for music theatre students; engaging graduate students in research behind new theatre programming for infants and very young children.
- Northwestern MedicinecoreClinical partnership providing integrated healthcare services in audiology and speech-language pathology. NUCASLL operates as a teaching facility while serving patients in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine's broader healthcare network.
- NU Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL)coreState-of-the-art interdisciplinary clinic combining audiology and speech-language pathology services. Serves 5,000-7,000 sessions annually as both a clinical service and teaching facility for AuD and MSSLL students.
- Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing ArtscorePerforming arts center providing theatre facilities and collaborative programming. CSD partners with Theatre department on three initiatives: introducing kids who stutter to improv, vocal screenings for music theatre students, and research on theatre programming for infants and young children.
- Knowles Hearing CentercoreSpecialized hearing center focused on hearing science research and clinical services, part of Northwestern's communication sciences ecosystem.
- Goodman TheatreflagshipChicago's Tony Award-winning regional theatre. Northwestern University Directing Fellowship program provides recent MFA graduates hands-on experience as part of the Goodman's artistic staff. Fellowship conceived by Dean E. Patrick Johnson and Goodman artistic director Susan V. Booth (C87).
- DePaul University Theatre SchoolminorJoint course offering Theatre 390: Arts Leadership & Innovation Collaboration, combining Northwestern's theatre major with DePaul's BFA programs for collaborative student learning with industry professionals.
- Northwestern Prison Education Project (NPEP)minorBachelor's degree-granting program for incarcerated students in Illinois. CSD professor teaches theatre and storytelling; Northwestern is the only top 10 university granting a four-year degree to incarcerated students.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cleveland Clinic Audiology: Broad incumbent hospital-based audiology service offering comprehensive hearing care at scale; comparable to NUCASLL's clinical offering though embedded in a much larger integrated health system rather than a university department.
- Mayo Clinic Department of Audiology: Broad incumbent clinical audiology provider serving patients across the lifespan; comparable on the clinical-services side of Northwestern CSD's NUCASLL, though operating primarily as a clinical (not academic) unit.
Direct peers
- University of Iowa Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders: Direct peer academic department ranked among the top SLP and AuD programs nationally; shares the same structure of PhD/AuD/MS training alongside clinical service provision, competing for the same applicant pool.
- University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders: Direct peer combining an academic department with a clinical center delivering audiology and SLP services; similarly interweaves research, education and patient care under one institutional umbrella.
- University of Washington Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences: Direct peer graduate program in audiology and SLP within a major research university; offers research-clinical-education integration comparable to Northwestern CSD and competes in the same US News rankings cohort.
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Communication Science and Disorders: Direct peer offering AuD, MS-SLP and PhD programs with on-site clinical services; operates the same research-clinical-education triad model and regularly competes with Northwestern CSD in national rankings.
- Purdue University Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences: Direct peer offering audiology and SLP graduate programs plus the M.D. Steer Audiology and Speech-Language Clinics; comparable structure combining graduate training with an in-house clinical operation.
- Vanderbilt University Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences: Direct peer academic department offering AuD and SLP graduate programs plus clinical services through the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center; comparable in operating model (research + clinical services + graduate training) and top-tier program ranking to Northwestern CSD.
- Indiana University Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences: Direct peer academic department running AuD and MS-SLP programs along with on-site clinical services; competes for similar students and faculty as Northwestern CSD.
Regional players
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders: Direct peer offering AuD, MS-SLP and PhD programs with UW Health-linked clinical services; comparable academic-clinical model and serves overlapping Midwest student and patient markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders social profiles
Digital presenceNorthwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
What does Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders do?
The department delivers top-ranked graduate clinical education in audiology (AuD, ranked #2 nationally) and speech-language pathology (MSSLL, ranked #3 nationally), alongside lifespan clinical services through NUCASLL that handles 5,000-7,000 sessions annually as both a teaching and service facility. It also operates the Knowles Hearing Center for hearing science research and pursues interdisciplinary initiatives in collaboration with peer departments such as Theatre.
Is Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders a public or private company?
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders founded?
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders based?
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is headquartered in Evanston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Academic Tuition and Programs are the primary driver. The others are clinical Services Revenue.
Who are Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cleveland Clinic Audiology and Mayo Clinic Department of Audiology. Direct peers are University of Iowa Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, University of Washington Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Department of Communication Science and Disorders, Purdue University Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Vanderbilt University Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences and Indiana University Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is listed as a regional player.
Does Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders have an API?
No public API is recorded for Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
What industry is Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in?
Northwestern University Roxelyn & Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders's product category is Higher Education and Clinical Services in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAKAH, Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers, with a secondary code of HLADAJAF, Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) & Swallowing Therapy Centers. Its NAICS code is 621340 and its SIC code is 8011.