Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

OSRHE Program Code: 137
CIP Code: 510203
Major Code: 6870

Purpose

The Speech-Language Pathology, M.S. program provides students with academic and clinical practicum experiences necessary for a career in various work settings available to a Speech-Language Pathologist. Students completing the degree will complete academic and clinical experiences (minimum of 400 hours) to prepare them to meet the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associatoin (ASHA), the license in speech-language pathology from the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education Standard Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology.

Specialty Accreditation

The Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD   20850-3289, 800-498-2071. www.caa.asha.org

Credential Requirements

Students who complete the Master of Science degree will have the academic and clinical practicum experience necessary to meet requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and apply for certification in Speech-Language Pathology. Additional requirements include passing the Praxis exam scores and documentation of the clinical fellowship experience. To practice in the State of Oklahoma, program completers must also apply for a license in speech-language pathology from the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and the Oklahoma State Department of Education Standard Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate competency in etiologies & characteristics of the 9 major disorder areas
2. Demonstrate competency in assessment and treatment for the 9 major disorder areas
3. Demonstrate competency in professional skills and habits such as oral and written reporting of assessment & therapy results, confidentiality, and ethical behavior.
4. Demonstrate competency in the field of Speech-Language Pathology in order toobtain national certification provided by ASHA

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission. Beyond the admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the Speech-Language Pathology, M.S. program requires:

1. Baccalaureate degree in communication disorders from an accredited college or university OR baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in another discipline and completion of leveling course requirements listed below with a grade of B or better.
2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.25 overall or 3.5 in undergraduate SLP courses.
3. Submission of Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test Scores that are no more than five-years old. There is no minimum score requirement; scores are used to differentiate applicants as necessary.
4. Submission of the SLP Program application packet.
5. Personal or phone interview for students with first language other than English; may be required for other students.

NOTE: SLP program applications are available from the SLP program and are due by February 1 for the following fall term. Only applicants with complete application packets will be considered. The responsibility for requesting transcripts is the applicant’s. Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution attended to Northeastern State University, Graduate College Office, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 74464.

In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of spaces projected to be available in the graduate program (based on a 6:1 student to graduate faculty ratio), applicants will be reviewed and ranked according to the above criteria by a committee made up of the SLP graduate faculty. Students will be admitted to the program based on their ranking and the number of spaces available.

Advisement. The program chair serves as adviser for all SLP graduate students. Students who have been admitted to the SLP graduate program must attend a scheduled group advisement/orientation meeting prior to their first enrollment in SLP graduate courses. Students will meet with the program chair during subsequent semesters for advisement concerning course sequences and to track progress toward completion of the degree.

Retention and Graduation. Candidates for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Continue to meet the Graduate College’s retention standards. See the Academic Information page for more information.
2. Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal.
3. Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information and Master’s Degree Requirements regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral.
4. Students must maintain a 3. 0 grade point average or above in all didactic coursework as well as internship and externship experiences. To remain in good academic standing, SLP graduate students must maintain an average of “B” for all course work, and failure to maintain a 3. 0 average may result in dismissal from the program. Students who earn a C in a graduate course will be placed on program probation and will meet with the program advisor for remediation. If a student makes an additional C in subsequent coursework, the student risks dismissal from the program.
5. Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum 400 clinical hours required by ASHA