56 credits
Program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The master’s degree is a basic requirement for employment as a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. Graduate study in speech-language pathology includes the academic and practicum requirements needed for Indiana School Services Personnel certification, as well as Indiana state licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASLHA). To qualify for the state licensure or the CCC, students must pass a national examination and demonstrate adequate clinical skills during a Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) under supervision by a certified speech-language pathologist.
Admission requirements
- Students must be admitted to both the department and to the Graduate School to enroll as a degree student.
- Minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. The department receives more qualified applicants than it can accept; meeting or exceeding this average does not guarantee admission.
- Prefer a combined score of 900 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.
- Three letters of reference (on department forms).
- Transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate course work.
- Completed graduate school application.
Degree requirements
The master’s program in speech-language pathology has a strong clinical orientation. Extensive practicum work with close supervision is required and is considered to be a critical component of the program.
For students with backgrounds in speech and hearing (usually bachelor’s degrees), the program consists of a minimum of 56 credits, including courses in which clinical practicum experience is acquired. For students with an undergraduate major in speech and hearing, the program usually takes six consecutive semesters to complete.
The program requires sufficient clinical practicum hours to meet the ASLHA clinical practicum requirements. A comprehensive examination is also required.
Students with no background in speech and hearing but who have bachelor’s degrees must take undergraduate background classes before the regular graduate program can begin. The length of such programs will vary, but they typically take nine consecutive semesters.
Course requirements include the following:
Total Credits: 56
Approved graduate courses in other departments may be substituted for SPAA 690.