Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology

Program Requirements

The Master of Science (MS) degree in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) is a two-year program and meets the requirement of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for clinical certification and the standards set forth by the State of Florida for licensure. The Master of Science in Speech- Language Pathology (MS SLP) program was awarded accreditation candidacy from the Council on Academic Accreditation Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) on March 22, 2014.

Full-time registration (at least nine credit hours per term) in the MS program will be required for the first four semesters of this five-semester program.

*Undergraduate prerequisite courses in Communication Sciences Disorders (CSD) are available, preparing non-CSD majors for the typical graduate admission requirements in speech-language pathology.

The mission of the JU MS SLP program is to prepare students for careers of excellence as speech- language pathologists. A core program of theories, methods, and research in Communication Science and Disorders will ensure that each student will be prepared in the discipline of speech-language and screening of hearing disorders. This will be accomplished through academic offerings and clinical learning experiences.

Program Outcomes for the proposed MS SLP are:

  1. Integrate knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders.
  2. Consider the anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, social, linguistic and cultural correlates of disorders in clinical decision making.
  3. Demonstrate effective communication, counseling, and collaboration with patients and relevant others, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication, and cultural/linguistic background of the patient, family, and caregivers.
  4. Integrate principles of ethics and cultural diversity into clinical decision making for individuals and populations experiencing complex health issues related to speech, voice, swallowing, language, and/or cognitive impairments.
  5. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of technology and information systems for speech-language pathologists that will improve the quality of care for individuals and populations.
  6. Translate relevant research findings from speech-language pathology and related disciplines to advance clinical speech-language pathology practice and improve health outcomes of individuals and populations.
  7. Influence public policy designed to ensure the safety and quality of healthcare for individuals and populations.
  8. Demonstrate social responsibility and advocacy for individuals and populations experiencing complex health issues related speech, voice, swallowing, language, and/or cognitive impairments.
  9. Lead interdisciplinary health care initiatives at the organizational and systems level to improve health outcomes for individuals and populations with speech, voice, swallowing, language and/or cognitive impairments.

Tuition

MS in SLP tuition for the fall, spring, and summer semesters can be found here.

Required courses:

Plan of Study - Five Semester Plan

This is a sample course sequence and is subject to change. All courses are offered once a year. 
Fall - Semester One
CSD 501Adult Language Disorders

3

CSD 502Speech Sound Disorders

3

CSD 503Preschool Language Disorders

3

CSD 507Diagnostic Methods in Speech-Language P

4

CSD 531Rehabilitation Research Design

3

Total Credit Hours:16
Spring - Semester Two
CSD 510Clinical Ethics and Policy

2

CSD 517Practicum Speech Language Pathology I

2

CSD 518School-aged Language and Literacy Disor

3

CSD 519Aural Rehabilitation

1

CSD 520Dysphagia Management

4

CSD 524Augmentative and Alternative Communicat

3

Total Credit Hours:15
Summer - Semester Three
CSD 509Motor Speech Disorders

4

CSD 523Adult Cognitive Disorders

3

CSD 525Communicating with Parents and Families

2

CSD 528Practicum Spch-Lang Pathol II

2

Total Credit Hours:11
Fall - Semester Four
CSD 508Fluency Disorders

3

CSD 536Special Populations/Autism

3

CSD 538Voice and Resonance Disorders

4

CSD 539Professional Issues in Speech-Language

2

CSD 540Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology

3

Total Credit Hours:15
Spring - Semester Five
CSD 550Externship in Speech-Language Pathology

2-4

Or

CSD 552Research for Master's Thesis

2

Total Credit Hours:2-4

CSD 550: variable credit

Total Credit Hours: 58-62

Clinical Requirements: A student in the MS SLP program must complete at least 375 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum experience, plus 25 observation hours.

Progression and Remediation

Remediation Plans: Knowledge

A student must pass each course with a grade of B or better. During the course of a semester, if a student earns a grade of C or worse on a test or assignment, he/she can re-take the test or resubmit the assignment. If the averaged grade is still a C or worse, OR if the student makes a grade equal to or less than the original grade, the original grade is entered into the grade book, and the student must repeat the course. If a student has a final grade of C or worse on one or more academic courses, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Remediation Plans: Skills

When the Program Director is made aware of a student who is struggling in clinic/practicum, she will meet with the immediate supervisor and the student to develop a remediation plan. IF the student does not meet the requirements of the remediation plan AND the course in total, he/she will not receive credit for the course and cannot count the clock hours obtained in that practicum. The student will be required to repeat the practicum in a similar setting before advancing to other clinical settings. If a student has a final grade of C or worse on one or more practicum or externship courses, the student will be dismissed from the program.