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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology {24-25}

Program Coordinator: Dr. Nancy Paul, Ph.D
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Murray 223F (218) 477-4642
paulnan@mnstate.edu

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a professional degree. It is the entry-level clinical degree in the field of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Students completing this program are qualified for clinical positions in communication disorders throughout the nation. The 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 five semesters of study.

Key Features of the Program:

  • Accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
  • Classes on timely topics such as Augmentative/Alternative Communication, Social and Cognitive Correlates of Speech and Language Disorders, Aging and Dementia, Dysphagia across the lifespan, and Adolescent Language Disorders.
  • Extensive computer-based clinical and research instrumentation for speech and voice analysis, audiology, and augmentative communication.
  • Students participate in community outreach such as speech, hearing, language and memory screenings, stuttering support group; present at regional and national conferences; gain insight into the speech-language pathology profession.
  • Extremely high job placement.
  • Wonderful faculty-student interaction.
  • Our students have high success rates for the PRAXIS examination (required for certification).
  • A wide variety of off-campus practica and internships are available in medical, school, private practice, and other settings (over 50 excellent clinical practicum affiliations).
  • Our faculty has diversified expertise and experience.

The Master of Science education program in speech-language pathology at Minnesota State University Moorhead is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2220 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. If you have a complaint about how your graduate program is complying with ASHA standards, write out your concern, sign and send it to this address above.

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. 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 which encompasses five academic semesters as it includes a mandatory summer semester between the two academic years.

Admission Requirements

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

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases as well as the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following nine practice areas: articulation; fluency; voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language; hearing, including the impact on speech and language; swallowing; cognitive aspects; social aspects; and augmentative and alternative communication modalities.
  • Demonstrate current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates for the nine practice areas specified in outcome two above.
  • Demonstrate achievement of skill outcomes in evaluation and intervention across the nine practice areas specified in outcome two above.
  • Demonstrate evidence of effective oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research processes and apply research principles to clinical populations through implementation of evidence-based practice.
  • Demonstrate professional practice competencies (accountability; professional duty) and general knowledge and skills applicable to professional practice in SLP (eg. ASHA policies/practice guidelines; ethical conduct; engagement in contemporary issues and advocacy; licensure and credentialing; supervision; and counseling and collaboration).
  • Demonstrate knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion and skill development of cultural responsiveness during interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community.

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

Core Requirements ( 55-56 credits )

Core Requirements and credit total

The Speech-Language Pathology degree is 55-56 credits, dependent upon students choosing either portfolio or thesis.

Research Requirements (5-6 Credits)
*Student will choose either portfolio or thesis.
SLP 601 Research Design in Speech-Language Pathology (2)
SLP 695A Introduction to Portfolio (Plan B) (1)
SLP 695B Portfolio Completion (1)
SLP 695C Portfolio Presentation (1)
SLP 699 Thesis (Plan A) (4)

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

Academic Requirements (30 Credits)
All students are required to earn at least 55 credits to complete the degree (56 if choose to complete a thesis).

SLP 615 Neurogenic Disorders I: Adult Language (2)
SLP 616 Neurogenic Disorders II: Adult and Pediatric Brain Injury (2)
SLP 617 Swallowing I (2)
SLP 618 Swallowing II (2)
SLP 620 Seminar: Voice and Resonance Disorders (3)
SLP 624 Seminar: Stuttering and Related Fluency Disorders (2)
SLP 627 Communication in Normal Aging and Dementia (2)
SLP 631 Pediatric and Adult Motor Speech Disorders (2)
SLP 642 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
SLP 647 Diagnostic and Appraisal Procedures (3)
SLP 675 Seminar: Professional Issues in Speech Language Pathology (2)
SLP 682 Seminar: Social & Cognitive Correlates of Communication Disorders (2)
SLP 683 Seminar in Child and Adolescent Language Disorders (3)

Program Requirements

Candidates for the master’s degree fulfill academic and clinical requirements established by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (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) standalone coursework for each of the following areas: biological sciences, chemistry or physics, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences.
  • Completed 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.
  • A minimum of 375 clock hours of supervised practicum experience and 25 hours of guided clinical observation.
  • Supervised practicum must include experiences with individuals: across the lifespan; from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds; with various types and severities of communication and/or related disorders, differences and disabilities.
  • Has knowledge of processes used in research and the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
  • Demonstrate  skills in oral, written and other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.
  • Demonstrate interaction and personal qualities including communicating effectively to meet the needs of others; ensure collaborative team-based practice; provide counseling; follow ethical guidelines.  

Some of the above requirements are met by undergraduate courses.

In addition to completing the degree, there are two steps that must be completed to be eligible for certification in Speech-Language Pathology:

  • Pass Praxis Examination in SLP at ASHA's established score
  • Successfully complete a clinical fellowship experience of at least 36 weeks

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