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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Program Coordinator: Nancy Paul, Ph.D, M.S./CCC-SLP
Murray 223F, (218) 477-4642
paulnan@mnstate.edu 

The master’s degree offered by this department is a professional degree. Its title, Speech-Language Pathology, indicates that it is the entry-level clinical degree in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Students completing this program are qualified for clinical positions in communication disorders throughout the nation. Those who excel in the master’s program are encouraged to seek the doctoral degree at another university. See "Course Descriptions" for a listing of courses offered.

The Speech-Language Pathology graduate program at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Candidates for the master’s degree fulfill academic and clinical requirements established by ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). The master’s degree program is a cohort program and requires two years of study.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences Department is to provide an exemplary and rigorous education in human communication and its disorders; to foster evidence-based practices and the skills necessary to practice speech-language pathology competently; to demonstrate leadership in a diverse society; to meet the workforce needs of the region and to serve individuals affected by communication disorders.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Description
The master’s degree offered by this department is a professional degree. Its title, Speech-Language Pathology, indicates that it is the entry-level clinical degree in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Students completing this program are qualified for clinical positions in communication disorders throughout the nation. Those who excel in the master’s program are encouraged to seek the doctoral degree at another university. See "Course Descriptions" for a listing of courses offered.

The Speech-Language Pathology graduate program at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Candidates for the master’s degree fulfill academic and clinical requirements established by ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). The master’s degree program requires two years of study.

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will provide:

  • Evidence of acquisition of fundamental scientific information describing the bases, nature, development and use of speech, language & hearing and total communication processes, at a competency level which is described as "Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) - ready."
  • Evidence of ability to synthesize and evaluate specialized information describing the nature, etiology, assessment and management of speech, language, and hearing disorders, adjusted for client characteristics, at student's level of experience, i.e. "intermediate" & "advanced."
  • Evidence of interpersonal skills and professional ethics & behavior.
  • Evidence of writing ability, both clinical and academic.
  • Evidence of oral communication skills.
  • Evidence of foundation skills necessary to conduct, convey, and evaluate research findings.

Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required

Core Requirements

Research Requirements (5 - 6 Credits)
SLP 601 Research Design in Speech-Language Pathology (2)
SLP 695 Porfolio (Plan B) (1-4)
SLP 699 Thesis (Plan A) (4)

Clinical Requirements (20 Credits)
SLP 646 Clinical Experience (1-4)

Academic Requirements (28 Credits)
Students will need to earn 28-29 SLP credits depending upon whether they have selected SLP 695 or SLP 699. All students are required to earn at least 53 credits to complete the degree.
SLP 621 Seminar: Cleft Palate and Phonological Disorders (2)
SLP 623 Seminar: Voice Disorders (3) *2 credits fall 2018
SLP 624 Seminar: Stuttering and Related Fluency Disorders (2)
SLP 627 Communication in Normal Aging and Dementia (2)
SLP 630 Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders (3)
SLP 631 Pediatric and Adult Motor Speech Disorders (2)
SLP 642 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
SLP 647 Diagnostic and Appraisal Procedures (3)
SLP 681 Pediatric and Adult Swallowing Disorders (3)
SLP 682 Seminar: Social & Cognitive Correlates of Communication Disorders (2)
SLP 683 Seminar in Child and Adolescent Language Disorders (3)

Additional Graduate Courses
SLP 690 Topics (1-4)
SLP 697 Independent Study (1-4)
SLP 698 Continuing Registration (1)
SLHS 573 Rehabilitation Audiology (4)

Program Requirements

Candidates for the master’s degree fulfill academic and clinical requirements established by ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). The master’s degree program requires two years of study. Highlights for achieving requirements for the CCC are as follows:

  • Must demonstrate through transcript credit (which could include course work, advanced placement, CLEP, or examination of equivalency) for each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and the social/behavioral sciences.
  • Minimum of 75 semester credit hours completed in a course of study addressing the knowledge and skills pertinent to the field of Speech-Language Pathology, including at least 36 hours at the graduate level.
  • Has gained knowledge and experience with individuals from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds and with client/patient populations across the life span.
  • Has knowledge of processes used in research and the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
  • Possess skills in oral, written and other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.
  • A minimum of 375 clock hours of supervised practicum experience and 25 hours of observation.

Some of the above requirements are met by undergraduate courses.

Students who plan to seek clinical positions in schools should complete any additional requirements established by the credentialing authority in the states where they would seek employment.