Pictured | Kayla Beitler | Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology | Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology, Ball State University, 2022 | South Bend, Indiana (hometown)
Volunteer Activity | Memorial Hospital South Bend
Club Affiliation | Indiana Speech Language–Hearing Association (ISHA)

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is the entry-level degree in the field for students wishing to pursue clinical careers in speech-language pathology. The program is dedicated to educating and training future leaders in the field of speech-language pathology through intercollaborative and community engaged classroom and clinical experiences. Students will develop clinical practices that embrace human dignity, preparing them for the evolving needs of the population. The program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Special Departmental Requirements

Adequate Progress

Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 overall GPA throughout the program. A student may be placed on academic probation if one of the following occurs:

1. The student earns a grade lower than a B- in a course (didactic or clinical); or
2. The student earns a single semester GPA lower than a 3.0.

If a grade lower than a B- is obtained, the student will be placed on academic probation and must retake the course. The existing grade continues to count toward the student’s cumulative GPA. Graduate students are not allowed to repeat a course for graduate credit unless a grade below B- has been previously obtained in the course the student would like to retake. If the single semester GPA is lower than a 3.0, this will also result in academic probation. If that student receives a cumulative GPA below 3.0 in any subsequent semester, the student will be deemed to be making unsatisfactory progress toward the master’s degree, and the case will be brought before the faculty for review and possible dismissal.

The student should refer to the program handbook for further explanation and policies regardig academic probation.

Degree Requirements (67 cr.)

Enrollment in the M.S.-SLP degree is full-time and cohort-based, meaning students move through the program together according to their admission year. Graduate speech-language pathology students will take five consecutive semesters (including summer) to complete the master’s degree. Prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to admission. Details regarding these requirements can be found in the program handbook.

All graduate students must complete the following requirements:

• 41 credit hours of required academic coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree
• 12 credit hours of required clinical coursework including on–and off–campus part-time clinical practicums
• 14 credit hours of off-campus full-time externships (summer II and spring II)
• Pass a comprehensive examination
• Completion of a Capstone project or thesis option
• Optional thesis for a minimum of seven additional credit hours

Required Coursework

• SLHS-G 501 Neuroanatomy
• SLHS-G 502 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice
• SLHS-G 503 Capstone Project/Research (2 cr.)
• SLHS-G 504 Multicultural Diversity and Counseling
• SLHS-G 505 Clinical Methods in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (2 cr.)
• SLHS-G 510 Audiology and the Speech-Language Pathologist (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 511 Best Practices for School Speech Language Pathologists (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 512 Medical Speech-Language Pathology (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 520 Speech Sound Disorders
• SLHS-G 521 Early Childhood Language Disorders and Autism
• SLHS-G 522 School Age Language and Literacy
• SLHS-G 531 Cognitive-Communication Disorders in Brain Injury and Disease
• SLHS-G 535 Cleft Palate and Resonance Disorders (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 537 Adult Acquired Language Disorders
• SLHS-G 540 Voice Disorders
• SLHS-G 544 Dysphagia
• SLHS-G 550 Fluency Disorders and Management (2 cr.)
• SLHS-G 555 Motor Speech Disorders
• SLHS-G 560 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• SLHS-G 570 Diagnostic Practicum I (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 575 Clinical Practicum I (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 580 Diagnostic Practicum II (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 585 Clinical Practicum II (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 600 Optional Thesis (1-3 cr.)
• SLHS-G 610 Professional Regulation and Issues (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 670 Diagnostic Practicum III (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 675 Clinical Practicum III (1 cr.)
• SLHS-G 680 Fieldwork I (5 cr.)
• SLHS-G 700 Fieldwork II (9 cr.)

Practicum

Graduate students are required to enroll in five semesters of clinical practicum in order to obtain 400 clinical hours. Students must complete and provide documentation of 25 observation hours of speech-language pathology or audiology prior to beginning a clinical placement. These hours must have been obtained under an ASHA certified SLP or audiologist. Three of the five placements will be part-time with coursework occurring simultaneously. The remaining two practicums are full-time (35-40 hour per week) placements occurring during Summer IIB and Spring II. Clinical placement is a complex process and a shared responsibility between the Director of Clinical Education and the student. Further details regarding clinical placements is available in the program handbook.