Nov 21, 2024  
2018-2019 
    
2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Speech-Language Pathology MS (Transitional 3 Year Track)


Program Description


This program is designed for students who wish to obtain a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, but hold a bachelor’s degree in another major area. See below for admission requirements.

Total Credits - 60


Degree Core


Additional Requirements


Practicum


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.

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.

Program Electives


Maintaining Academic Standing


  • 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.

Admission Requirements


Prerequisite Courses


Upon admission students will complete one year of undergraduate prerequisite coursework in speech-language pathology. Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA during the prerequisite course completion (with no grade below a B). Prerequisites must be complete within one academic year. After successful completion, students will enter the Master’s degree program. The minimum GPA requirement for the MS program is 3.0. Students may be required to complete additional courses in order to meet the standards for certification by the American Speech and Hearing Association. Students must complete courses in statistics, physics, or chemisty and a behavioral science for regular admission to the MS program.

The following courses must be completed during the prerequisite year.

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.
  • Submit Application of graduation at the beginning of the second to last semester of study.
  • Complete and pass Comprehensive examination.
  • 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


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.

Additional Information


Accreditation


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