Prerequisites For Speech Pathology Master’s Program

Obtain Toefl Scores That Meet The Programs Requirements

Generally speaking, students who earned undergraduate degrees from foreign institutions where English is not the primary spoken language will need to complete the Test Of English as a Foreign Language . Each program will have its own minimum accepted score. At Northeastern, applicants must earn a score of at least 100.

Common Prerequisites For Speech Pathology Graduate Programs

For many, speech-language pathology is a rewarding career. In addition to offering a relatively high salary, stable job demand, and a variety of career opportunities, it also empowers you to make a real difference in the lives of your patients.

Becoming a speech-language pathologist will require a commitment of time and energy. One of the most significant steps in the process is completing their masters degree.

But preparing for your speech-language pathology graduate program doesnt need to be a stressful experience. Once you understand the most common prerequisites programs look for, you can prepare for them and smooth the transition. Below, we take a look at seven of the most common prerequisites for SLP grad programs.

Masters Degree In Speech

The masters degree in speech-language pathology prepares the student for entry into independent practice as a speech-language pathologist.

The time-to-degree is generally 2 years of full-time study if the student has an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders . Additional time may be necessary to complete prerequisites for students without an undergraduate degree in CSD.

Academic Coursework

The curriculum provides academic preparation for patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment of communication and swallowing disorders for people of all ages. For a full listing of the knowledge and skills topics covered in academic coursework and clinical practicum in masters programs in speech-language pathology, see the CFCC Standard IV for Speech-Language Pathology.

Clinical Practicum

Clinical practicum generally includes on-campus clinic experiences as well as off-campus externship experiences. Clinical practicum knowledge covers the same topics as the academic coursework listed above. The experiences must meet CAA standards for duration and be sufficient to demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge and skills identified in the CFCC Standard IV for Speech-Language Pathology.

Comprehensive Exam and Capstone Project or Research Thesis/Dissertation

Graduate students may complete comprehensive exams and/or a research thesis, depending on the requirements of the individual program.

ASHA Certification

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Ms Slp Admission Requirements

Admission into the CSUSM M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program requires meeting the general admission requirements for graduate studies at CSUSM and these additional components. For required forms, more details or to start your application, see our How To Apply page.

• Bachelor’s degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences and/or Disorders, as well as ASHA basic science requirements OR
• Bachelor’s degree in another field AND ASHA basic science requirements AND CSUSM SLP prerequisite courses
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better
• Supplemental Application
• 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. Typically, applicants demonstrate the English Proficiency requirement by submitting results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language , International English Language Testing System exam, or Cambridge English score report. Submission of these test scores should be sent to the following address:

California State University San MarcosATTN: Extended Learning, MS SLP333 South Twin Oaks Valley RoadSan Marcos, CA 92096-0001

*NOTE: We encourage applicants to submit the documents listed above in one packet however, we understand this may not be possible. Please review your Student Center at myCSUSM to ensure we have received your documents in a timely manner.

How Is Certification Obtained

Once you have your masters, you are ready for certification as a speech-language pathologist. ASHA maintains the widely recognized and accepted Certificate of Clinical Competence , which attests to the level of excellence in practicing professionals. The certification has one designation for audiology and one for speech-language pathology . There are several factors that figure into certification. Passing an exam is one, and another requirement is the completion of a supervised fellowship.

Once certified, you may be required to register with the state you practice in. CCC certification is active for three years, during which professionals must complete continuing education to preserve their credentialed status.

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How Do You Become A Speech Pathologist

Becoming a practicing speech pathologist requires earning a graduate degree in the field and becoming licensed.

Heres what a typical path to a career in speech-language pathology might look like:

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• In-person clinical placements at faculty-approved partner sites
• As few as 20 months to complete

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Applying To Graduate School

Admission to a graduate program in audiology or speech-language pathology typically requires the following:

• A minimum 3.00 grade point average
• Graduate Record Examination scores
• An essay and/or biosketch
• Letters of recommendation

Tips for Applying to a Graduate CSD Program

Be aware that admission to graduate school in both audiology and speech-language pathology is highly competitive. Below are other considerations to keep in mind when applying to a graduate program:

• GPA and GRE scores are important parts of your application, but program faculty take other factors into consideration when making admissions decisions.
• Each program decides how to weigh each part of the application, so be sure to contact the program to ask what factors go into the admissions decision process.
• Unlike some other health professions, shadowing a professional is not a requirement for applying to graduate school. Shadowing may help you determine whether you want to pursue a career in the professions, but you should check with the individual graduate program about how they weigh shadowing in the application process.

Resources for Applying to a Graduate CSD Program

• EdFind helps you identify program-specific admission requirements and data on recently admitted students .
• Visit the Educational Testing Services online resources to learn more about the GRE.

Can You Be A Slp Without A Masters

An important thing to know about how to become a speech language pathologist is that you must have a graduate degree. This can be a masters degree or a doctorate.

A bachelors alone is insufficient for pursuing licensure in this field. There are online SLP masters programs if you need more flexibility.

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Tips For Your Slp School Interview

Your interview can make or break your admission. SLP school is competitive, and faculty are likely to admit interviewees who appear calm, professional, and can express themselves well.

To do well at your admissions interview, you should:

Pathways To A Graduate Degree In Audiology Or Speech

A bachelors degree is required for admission to graduate programs in either audiology or speech-language pathology. However, each graduate program determines whether applicants must have a bachelors degree in CSDand, if not, whether prerequisite undergraduate courses are required, either before admission or as part of the graduate program. More information about these pathways to graduate programs is provided below. You can search EdFind for programs that do not require prerequisites for admission.

Pathway 1

The student obtains a bachelors degree in a CSD major and applies for admission to graduate school.

Most undergraduate programs in CSD will require prerequisite coursework that includes statistics, biological sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and physical sciences. Each graduate program may establish additional required prerequisite coursework, so be sure to check with the graduate program about requirements before applying.

Pathway 2

The student obtains a bachelors degree in a major other than CSD and takes prerequisite coursework before applying for admission to graduate school.

Some institutions offer leveling options to complete prerequisite coursework or second bachelors degree programs to prepare students to apply for graduate programs. Other programs offer prerequisites online to students who are not enrolled in the programs.

Pathway 3

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Program Learning Outcomes For The Program Include:

• Differentiate and diagnose communication disorders utilizing evidenced-based practice.
• Outline and implement evidence-based treatment plans appropriate to the disorder and in patient-specific contexts.
• Describe and educate/ collaborate/ counsel with clients and caregivers on prevention, assessment, and intervention across disorders.
• Distinguish and demonstrate professional practice competencies including accountability, integrity, effective communication skills, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, care for individuals served, cultural competence, professional duty, and collaborative practice.
• Differentiate and demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence while communicating effectively recognizing the background, needs, values, preferred mode of communication of the client and family.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and participate appropriately with other healthcare professionals in interprofessional teams.

Other Slp Application Requirements

To apply to SLP school, you need:

• Bachelors degree If you do not have a CSD degree, you must complete prerequisite courses before you can begin a program.
• GPA GPA requirements differ by program, but competitive applicants have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• GRE score Some programs may offer GRE waivers. Minimum and average scores of admitted students vary by program. You can find this information via ASHA EdFind.
• Letters of recommendation Programs may require letters of recommendation from people who know you, such as professors or licensed SLPs.
• Personal essay/writing sample Programs may provide a prompt but, typically, you have discretion in what you discuss in your statement.

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Master’s Program Automatic Admission Requirements

CSUN Certificate of Pre-SLP Program students who meet the following criteria will be automatically admitted into the CSUN Distance Learning Master’s Degree Program:

• GPA: CSUN Certificate of Pre-SLP program GPA of 3.85 or higher
• MAT score of 417 or higher

CSUN Certificate of Pre-SLP students who do not meet these criteria may still apply to the CSUN CDS Distance Learning Master’s Degree Program and may be admitted into the program. Competitive non-CSUN master’s program applicants in the past have possessed a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher and score approx. 1000-1200 on the GRE or over 410 on the MAT.

Please note: The GRE/MAT is not required for admission to the Certificate of Pre-SLP Program however, it is required for all CSUN CDS Distance Learning Master’s Degree Program applicants.

Prepare For The Slp School Personal Interview

Many SLP programs require prospective students to participate in an interview. If you have been invited to interview, it means you have met the basic eligibility requirements and the faculty believe you are a good candidate.

Interviews may be one-on-one with a clinical or academic faculty member. There also may be multiple phases in the interview process. Some interviews include a panel interview with multiple faculty members and current graduate students. Some SLP programs conduct group interviews with multiple applicants or require a brief essay. You also may be given a tour of the department and meet faculty and students.

If you are invited to interview with a school, research their interview process. Do not hesitate to contact the program with questions. It is best to be thoroughly prepared.

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The Foundation For Your Graduate Studies

While there will, of course, be variations from program to program, most speech-language pathology graduate programs require you to have fulfilled prerequisites like those discussed above. These prerequisites are the foundation upon which you will build your career.

If you have earned an undergraduate degree in a field related to speech-language pathology or communication disorders, there is a good chance you have already completed most of these prerequisites. If you are uncertain whether you have fulfilled these requirements, reach out to an admissions counselor to get personalized guidance.

Are you interested in becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist? Learn more about the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University.

About Tim Stobierski

Complete An Undergraduate Degree From An Accredited University

As is the case when you pursue any graduate degree, you need to complete an undergraduate degree to enroll in an MS in SLP program. While some graduate programs require an undergraduate degree in the field of communication disorders, many do not. At Northeastern, for example, any undergraduate degree can meet this basic requirement.

However, if youre certain you want to work as a speech-language pathologist, earning an related undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, can help you best prepare for your graduate studies.

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Asha Mandated Basic Science Course Requirements

In addition to the prerequisite courses, students hoping to achieve the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from ASHA must complete at least one course in each area the following basic science areas:

• Biological sciences: including biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neuro-physiology, genetics
• Physical sciences: including physics or chemistry. The biological and physical science coursework must be taken from outside the field of speech and hearing sciences.
• Behavioral and/or social sciences: including psychology, sociology, anthropology.
• Statistics: This must be a stand-alone course covering general statistics principles and open to the general college or university population. A course specifically designed for communication sciences and disorders students is not acceptable.

ASHA has a list of examples of courses that meet these requirements here. A list of IU courses that our program deems acceptable for meeting the biological and physical science requirements can be found here, as well, although this is not an exhaustive list. Similar courses taken at other universities/colleges will also satisfy these requirements.

Basic science coursework may be carried forward from the undergraduate degree or taken as continuing education for graduate students. Students who are missing one or more of the basic science courses are encouraged to complete them in the summer prior to matriculation in the fall.

Prerequisite Courses For Speech

The following are two sets of the prerequisite course requirements. Prerequisite courses do not need to completed in order to apply to the program. However, all prerequisite courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to starting the program and within approximately 10 years of the application deadline .

ASHA Prerequisites Requirements

• Biological Sciences – a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Courses include Biological sciences content areas related to human or animal sciences . Communications sciences courses may not be applied.

• Physical Sciences – a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Physics or chemistry – communications sciences and disorder courses may not be applied.

• Social Sciences – at least two courses – acceptable course include psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health.

Department of Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisite Requirements

• Phonetics -a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Course should include phonetic transcription component.

• Child Development/Language Acquisition – a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Acceptable courses include child development and child Language development.

• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech – a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Acceptable courses include anatomy and physiology of speech or speech/hearing.

• Intro to Communication Disorders – a minimum grade of 3.0 and 3 credits. Any course that provides an overview of discipline of communication sciences and disorders.

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Prepare For Slp Grad Programs

Are you interested in becoming a licensed speech language pathologist, but lack the prerequisite coursework required to apply for a graduate program? USF can help you earn the credentials you need.

Our prerequisite track is designed for individuals who hold an undergraduate degree in something other than Speech Language Pathology. We offer seven online courses designed to meet the prerequisite requirements of the masters program in SLP at USF and most other universities. Choose only those courses required by your intended graduate program.

Obtain Graduate Record Exam Scores That Meet The Programs Requirements

While some graduate programs no longer require GRE scores as a part of the application process, many still do have this requirement. Generally speaking, it is better to complete the test in case your desired program requires it.

At Northeastern, GREs are not currently a requirement for application to the SLP graduate program but may be in the future.

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