MA in Speech-Language Pathology

Being a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a rewarding career where you can help others learn to or improve their ability communicate. Our ability to communicate is an essential part of who we are as humans. Difficulty with any form of communication can significantly impact a person's quality of life, aside from any co-occurring medical conditions. Because communication is a complex process, from receiving, to understanding, to producing a message, there are many ways that an SLP can play a critical role in the habilitation or rehabilitation of their clients. SLPs work across the age spectrum from infants through aging adults.

Our program provides opportunities for students to find their passion through a comprehensive series of courses and hands-on clinical experiences. Our program is full-time, residential, and is typically completed in two years (4 academic semesters and 1 summer semester) for students entering with all pre-requisites. 

A full curriculum of courses and required clinical experiences prepare students for challenging and a broad range of careers in a wide scope of settings. 

Through academic coursework and clinical experiences leading to the MA degree, students will be prepared to pass the PRAXIS examination. A passing score is not only required for certification from the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) but is graduation requirement for the MA degree.  

Students are encouraged but not required to complete a Master’s Thesis under the direction of a selected research faculty member. This decision should be determined early into your Master's program to allow for the additional work load. An additional summer semester is sometimes required in order to complete the project.

Research opportunities are available to let you explore deeper topics of your interest and to develop your evidence-based practice skills in understanding and implementing research findings. Many of our academic faculty conduct research that seeks to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes. Their research labs cover topics across the lifespan, and across speech, language, and hearing. 

Students can elect to complete the thesis option during their MA program by carrying out an independent research project under the guidance of an academic faculty member. A thesis is not required for the MA degree, but is an option strongly recommended for all students who expect to apply at any time for doctoral study. The thesis option may be completed with a minimum of 37 credits (speech-language pathology) in academic courses and 6 credits in thesis guidance. All thesis candidates will be required to pass an oral examination on the thesis topic at the completion of the thesis. 

American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)

National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

National Institute on Deafness & Other Communicative Disorders (NIDCD)