Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Program of Study

This Master’s level program will prepare candidates for the professional practice of Speech-Language Pathology. The coursework and practicum experiences that comprise this degree enable candidates to simultaneously obtain the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree, fulfill the academic requirements for the American-Speech Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA) membership and certification (CCC), meet the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) academic program requirements for obtaining the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, and apply for state licensure through the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispenser’s Board (SLPAB). To be admitted to this Master’s program, a candidate must show evidence of successful completion of prerequisite courses in Speech and Language Sciences or Communicative Disorders. After earning this Master of Science degree, in order to earn their state license, speech-language pathology credential and national certification, candidates must (a) pass the National Exam (PRAXIS), and (b) complete the clinical fellowship year (CFY).

The Master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology at CSUSM holds Initial Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. This program is approved by the CCTC.

For further details on state licensure, ASHA membership and certification, and CCTC credentialing, please refer to their web pages:

http://www.slpab.ca.gov/applicants/licensing.shtml

http://www.asha.org/certification/SLPCertification.htm

http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/speech-lang-path.html

The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology is offered through Extended Learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology will be able to:

1. Describe the nature of typical and disordered communication and swallowing across the lifespan.
2. Integrate theory, research, and Evidence-Based Practice principles into prevention, assessment and intervention practices.
3. Interact and communicate in ways that promote wellness and reflect respect for diversity, collaboration and ethics.
4. Demonstrate summative knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level practice within the field of speech-language pathology through defense of a culminating experience.

Admission Requirements:

• Preparation for ASHA certification, which includes one Biological Science (human or animal), one Physical Science (Physics or Chemistry), one Social Science (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology or Public Health), and a Statistics course. These courses must be outside of the domain of Communicative Sciences and Disorders.
• Bachelor’s Degree, including undergraduate preparatory coursework in basic science^
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
• All applicants, regardless of citizenship, who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement.
• Additional materials as indicated on website. 

Candidates who meet the requirements will be invited for an interview with a panel of admissions advisors.

^Required Preparatory Undergraduate Coursework:

• EDUC 380 - Applications in Child and Youth Development Units: 3

• or

• PSYC 330 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood Units: 3

•  

• MATH 242 - Introduction to Statistics Units: 3
• SLP 150 - Introduction to Communicative Sciences and Disorders Units: 3
• SLP 201 - Hearing Disorders and Measurement Units: 3
• SLP 251 - Language Development and Assessment for Practitioners Units: 3

•  

• SLP 320 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism Units: 3

• or

• BIOL 320 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism Units: 3

•  

• SLP 357 - The Science of Speech and Hearing Units: 3

• or

• PHYS 357 - The Science of Speech and Hearing Units: 3

•  

• SLP 364 - The Role of Cultural Diversity in Schooling Units: 3

• or

• EDUC 364 - The Role of Cultural Diversity in Schooling Units: 3

• or

• ID 340 - Diversity and Discrimination in the U.S. Units: 3

•  

• SLP 391 - Clinical Phonetics and Analysis of Disordered Speech for Speech Language Pathologists Units: 3
• SLP 450 - Diagnostics in Speech-Language Pathology Units: 3
• SLP 491 - Neural Correlates for Speech, Language and Swallowing Functions Units: 3

Clinical Hours

All students must complete a minimum of 400 direct clock hours, including 25 observation, and 375 direct service hours in a minimum of three different settings. All hours will be completed under the supervision of a Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist.

Master’s Student Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement

Students need to fulfill the Master’s Student Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement before advancing to candidacy. Please refer to Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement  for more information regarding this requirement.

Continuation

Graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. Any student whose overall GPA falls below 3.0 will be put on Academic Probation and will be issued a Statement of Concern with a plan of action. If the overall GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters the student will be dropped from the program. A full-time student should be enrolled in the predetermined course schedule and credit hours each semester for the program.

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience is completed in the final semester as part of SLP 698 . Students complete their culminating experience which may take the form of a thesis, project, or written comprehensive examination. Students must complete an oral defense of their work. Students must continuously enroll in this course until completion of the culminating experience

International Student Admissions Requirements

For all Extended Learning degree programs, international students include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other nonimmigrant classifications. Students must submit academic records from international institutions. The original international transcript must be on file and if they are not written in English, they must be accompanied by certified English translations. In addition, all international transcripts must be evaluated by one of the eight approved CSUSM international transcript evaluation agencies. Please visit this link to obtain the list of the eight approved CSUSM international transcript evaluation agencies.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Please refer to the following link: http://www.csusm.edu/global/gradadmiss/gradmreq.html

Upon acceptance and prior to enrollment in the first semester of courses, students must provide evidence of the following: 

1. Certificate of Clearance

2. Passing of the Basic Skills Requirement

Upon acceptance students must complete or provide evidence of the following in order to begin their clinical practicum: 

1. Health Information Privacy & Portability Act (HIPPA) training 

2. Background screening 

3. Immunizations & TB 

4. CPR Training 

5. Malpractice & Health Insurance 

6. Health Physical 

7. Clinical Waiver

Advancement to Candidacy

The student will advance to candidacy upon successful completion of all academic coursework. All M.S. in SLP students must complete SLP 698 - Culminating and Summative Experience in Speech-Language Pathology  (3 units) as part of the culminating experience for Master’s study. The culminating experience may be a thesis, project, or a comprehensive written examination. In addition, students must take the PRAXIS examination prior to graduation and must report their scores to the program.

Degree Requirements and Courses

Program Total (76 Units)