Speech-Language Pathology BS/MS (5 Year Track)

Program Description

This track allows eligible students to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 5 years. Students must begin this track fall semester of the undergraduate freshmen year at Andrews University.

Program Requirements

Students eligible to begin as the 5 year track student must meet the following criteria:

• High School GPA of 3.5 or higher upon admission to the undergraduate program.
• Math placement score of P3 (ACT of 22-23 / SAT of 510 - 530).
• Students in this program must maintain a 3.3 GPA overall and 3.5 in core courses, those with SPPA Acronym, during the first three undergraduate years.
• Students will begin the program as a BHS student and must apply to the BS program during their sophomore year.
• At the end of the 4th year (senior year) students will graduate with a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. 
• Students must complete an application process to the MS program during their senior undergraduate year.
• During the Senior year students will complete the initial courses toward the MS degree.

SPLAD Major: Core Requirements - 46

• SPPA 234 - Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Credits: 3
• SPPA 270 - Preclinical Observation Credits: 1
• SPPA 280 - Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Credits: 4
• SPPA 285 - Applied Phonetics Credits: 3
• SPPA 310 - Speech Science Credits: 3
• SPPA 321 - Normal Language Development Credits: 3
• SPPA 322 - Child Language Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 331 - Basic Audiology Credits: 3
• SPPA 332 - Audiological Procedures Credits: 3
• SPPA 340 - Neuroscience of Communication Credits: 3
• SPPA 374 - Articulation and Phonology: Development and Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 425 - Clinical Principles and Practices Credits: 3
• SPPA 448 - Disorders of Voice, Fluency and Swallowing Credits: 3
• SPPA 458 - Aural Rehabilitation Credits: 3
• SPPA 481 - Clinical Application in Speech-Language Pathology Credits: 2,3
• SPPA 482 - Clinical Application in Audiology Credits: 2,3

Continued Enrollment in Graduate Courses Requirements

• All students admitted to the Master’s program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
• Student will be permitted to earn one “C” while in the program. If a second “C” is earned or the student’s grade point average falls below a 3.0, the student will be placed on a remediation plan. Student may also be required to retake the course.
• Students must meet all essential functions of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology.
• Students are required to meet with their advisor at least once per semester to discuss course plan and program progress.
• Students will meet all academic and clinical requirements for certification with the American Speech and Hearing Association.
• Students who elect to write a thesis must be in good academic and clinical standing prior to securing approval for the thesis topic and before the oral examination.

MS Courses

• SPPA 446 - Integration of Spirituality in Health Care Credits: 3
• SPPA 500 - Orientation for MS in Speech-Language Pathology Credits: 0
• SPPA 502 - Child Language Disorders: Preschool Credits: 3
• SPPA 503 - Child Language Disorders: School Age Credits: 3
• SPPA 515 - Aphasia Credits: 3
• SPPA 520 - Diagnostics in Speech-Language Pathology Credits: 2
• SPPA 521 - Practicum I: Onsite Credits: 2
• SPPA 522 - Practicum II: Onsite Credits: 2
• SPPA 534 - Research Project I Credits: 2
• SPPA 544 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 550 - Praxis Preparatory Class Credits: 1
• SPPA 574 - Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology Credits: 3
• SPPA 583 - Voice and Velopharyngeal Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 596 - Neurocognitive Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 608 - Practicum III: Onsite Credits: 3
• SPPA 613 - Dysphagia Credits: 3
• SPPA 631 - Motor Speech Disorders Credits: 3
• SPPA 634 - Research Project II Credits: 1
• SPPA 635 - Research Project III Credits: 1
• SPPA 647 - Fluency Credits: 3
• SPPA 663 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Credits: 2
• SPPA 670 - Comprehensive Examination Credits: 0
• SPPA 624 - Practicum I: Offsite Credits: 3
• SPPA 682 - Practicum II: Offsite Credits: 4
• SPPA 683 - Practicum III: Offsite Credits: 4

Program Options

Each graduate student may choose the Standard Option or Research Project Option to complete their degree.

Additional Requirements

• Placement sites for Practicum may require vaccine records, drug screening, and fingerprinting separate from the program requirements, the cost of this is the students’ responsibility.

Clinical Requirements

The applicant for certification in speech-language pathology must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Twenty-five (25) hours must be spent in clinical observation, and 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact. The clinical observation must be completed prior to beginning any practicum experiences.

At least 325 of the 400 clock hours must be completed while the applicant is engaged in graduate study in a program accredited in speech-language pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Clinical clock hours will be tracked by the student, advisor, clinic director and administrative assistant to insure that the student has had a diverse clinical experience and for accuracy. This program prepares the student for certification.

MS Graduation Requirements

MS PROGRAM IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Complete prerequisite course requirements in: statistics, biological science, physics/chemistry and behavioral science.
• Successfully complete all academic and clinical courses that meet all 2014 American Speech and Hearing knowledge standards and outcomes for the Certificate of Clinical competence.
• Complete 400 clock hours of clinical practice with at least 325 hours at the graduate level and 50 clock hours in each of the three types of clinical settings.
• Pass Praxis examination aka ASHA examination.
• If thesis option is chosen, student must defend and submit thesis for final approval at least 15 days prior to graduation.

Resources

The Master of Science program in speech-language pathology at Andrews University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of five years.

Student Handbook

Please visit the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology website for the most up-to-date version of the department’s Graduate Student Handbook. 

CONCERNS REGARDING ACCREDITATION BY THE COUNCIL ON ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION (CAA)

Students concerns regarding the Master’s program may relate to accreditation standards of the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). This accreditation is an assurance that the program is abiding by all required standards for academic content and following approved procedures in the delivery of this content. In the event of a serious concern, students may contact the CAA directly for information. According to the CAA, complaints about programs must:

1. Be against an accredited education program or program in candidacy status in speech-language pathology and/or audiology;
2. Relate to the standards for accreditation of education programs in audiology and speech-language pathology;
3. Include verification, if the complaint is from a student or faculty/instructional staff member, that the complaint exhausted all institutional grievance and review mechanisms before submitting a complaint to the CAA.

2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700
E-mail: accreditation@asha.org