Speech-Language Pathology M.S.

51 credits

Purpose of degree:

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. The academic and clinical components of this degree are designed to meet the requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Students will also be eligible for a Pennsylvania license in speech-language pathology. In addition, students may choose to complete requirements for the Instructional I Certificate (Teacher of the Speech-Language Impaired) in Pennsylvania schools (with the completion of certain education courses, a student teaching semester, and required state testing). The choice of the school certification option may lengthen the student’s degree program.

National accreditation

The Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology at East Stroudsburg University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Outcome expectations of students and degree completion:

To meet the minimum competencies required by the Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KASA) of ASHA, and, upon completion of degree, to successfully pass the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology.

Mission statement of the department:

The mission of the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology is to provide an academic and clinical education program that prepares graduates to earn the ASHA CCC-SLP, and serve as a clinical and professional resource to the community.

Special resources of the department:

• Twelve fully equipped therapy rooms
• A state of the art audiology suite
• Observation rooms for both parents and students
• State-of-the-art voice and swallowing labs
• Dedicated clinical computer labs
• Class and study rooms

Program of Study

Undergraduate prerequisites required:

• Child development or developmental psychology
• Linguistics/psycholinguistics
• Statistics
• Speech science
• Introduction to audiology
• Introduction to communication disorders
• Speech and language development
• Phonetics or phonology
• Anatomy and physiology of speech/hearing mechanism
• Articulation/fluency disorders
• Neurologic bases of communication (course or competency)
• Natural sciences (six credits), including a biological and a physical science
• Behavioral sciences (six credits)
• Composition/writing
• College level math course

Students who do not meet all of the criteria listed under undergraduate prerequisites above may gain conditional admission but must remedy any deficiencies before filing a plan of study with the Graduate School.

Typical time to finish:

Full-time students will complete the program in five semesters, which includes the middle summer. Those students choosing the teacher certification option will require an extra 12 week placement and will graduate in the second August following entry into the program.

Part-time students will require a minimum of three years plus summers, depending on course availability compatible with their personal schedule. A degree is no longer available by attending classes in evenings and summers only.

Cohort

The class of full-time students which enters each fall semester moves through the program as a cohort.

Required courses:

Illustrative plan of study:

The academic course work requirements are designed to meet the ASHA requirements for the CCC-SLP. Students may transfer up to six credit hours of appropriate graduate course work from another ASHA accredited program, subject to department approval.

No more than three graduate credits of course work with a grade of B- or lower may be on the transcript in order to be eligible for the degree. No more than one SPPA course may be repeated to improve the grade. SPPA 550 or SPPA 586 MUST be repeated if a student receives a grade of B- or lower. Further, any course in which a student earns a grace of “C” or lower must be repeated.

Plan of study for a full-time student

All below classes are required unless designated an elective.

Fall 1

Spring 1

Summer 1

Fall 2

Spring 2

Summer 2

Electives

Clinical Practicum

Each student is required to meet the clinical education requirements for the ASHA CCC-SLP (400 hours of clinical observation and practicum) in order to receive the degree. All students will complete at least three practicum experiences at the ESU Speech and Hearing Center (through SPPA 550 Advanced Clinical Practicum) and two different off-campus practicum experiences (through SPPA 586 Advanced Clinical Externship). A variety of clinical externship sites are available. The program faculty must approve all off-campus practicum sites. Students who pursue the teacher certification option must complete two full-semester off-campus externships (one in the adult setting and one in the school setting).

Final graduation requirement

Submission of a portfolio documenting achievement of competencies required by the KASA.