Speech - Language Pathology (M.A.)

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The Master’s degree (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology is a two-year post-baccalaureate program consisting of four semesters of didactic coursework (including one summer session) and clinical practicum and a minimum of two semesters of external, full-time clinical placements. The master’s (M.A.) education program in speech/language pathology and the doctoral (Au.D.) education program in audiology at the University of South Dakota are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 toll free or 301-296-5700.

Master of Arts, Speech-Language Pathology: Total 60-78 credit hours*

All graduate students working toward the completion of graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders must meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence in their area of emphasis (Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology) by the end of their degree program. The ASHA requirements may be waived for international students. In addition, all graduate students are required to pass a comprehensive examination in the final semester of their graduate study. The Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty will determine the content, form, and the length of the examination. Specific academic and clinical practicum requirements for the degrees and national certification are contained in the department’s Student Handbook. Consult your advisor or the department chairperson.

Major Area Coursework

DCOM 523 - Aural Rehabilitation 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 532 - Disorders of Phonology and Articulation 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 533 - Voice Disorders 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 534 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level. 3 credit hours required.
DCOM 535 - Language Disorders of Children 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 537 - Advanced Language Disorders 3 cr hrs *Unless taken at the undergraduate level. 3 credit hours required.
DCOM 711 - Professional Issues 2 cr hrs
DCOM 724 - Advanced Communication Science 3 cr hrs
DCOM 731 - Fluency Disorders 3 cr hrs
DCOM 732 - Craniofacial Anomalies 3 cr hrs
DCOM 733 - Neuromotor Speech Disorders 3 cr hrs
DCOM 734 - Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition 4 cr hrs
DCOM 735 - Audiology for Speech Language Pathology 1 cr hrs
DCOM 736 - Diagnostics in Speech and Language Disorders 3 cr hrs
DCOM 737 - Dysphagia 3 cr hrs
DCOM 738 - Applied Speech-Language Pathology 1 cr hrs
DCOM 759 - Integrated Clinical Methods 1 cr hrs (2 credit hours required) 1 cr each
DCOM 787 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 cr hrs
DCOM 595 - Practicum 1 to 6 cr hrs (11 credit hours required) 4 semesters
DCOM 794 - Internship in Communication Disorders 1 to 12 cr hrs Two semesters of internship required with 9 credit hours each semester (18 credit hours required)
Notes:

Total credit hours required for the program are individualized based on which courses were completed at the undergraduate level (18 possible) and the hours of clinical practicum and internship mandated by the clinical sites and necessary for the student to meet ASHA requirements for client contact hours (minimum 375 clinical clock hours with clients plus 25 hours of observation in the Scope of Practice for Speech-language Pathology required for certification).

* Variation in number of credits reflects differential requirements for students with or without a baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will exhibit knowledge and skills in the areas of foundations of clinical practice, including professional codes of ethics, credentialing, and health care and educational service delivery systems.
Students will conduct prevention, screening, and evaluation/diagnostic procedures (including selection of appropriate evaluation materials and interpretation of results) in each disorder area (articulation/phonology, fluency, voice/resonance, language, swallowing, hearing, cognition, communication modalities)
Students will develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that meet clients’/patients’ needs in each disorder area (articulation/phonology, fluency, voice/resonance, language, swallowing, hearing, cognition, communication modalities)
Students will demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
Graduates from the MA SLP program will demonstrate sufficient knowledge to meet national certification requirements.

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The University of South Dakota as of July 1, 2020, cannot confirm whether any particular course or program meets educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, contact the academic department offering your major or CDE at 605.658.6152 or by email at cde@usd.edu. USD is working to comply with these requirements and will provide up-to-date information as it becomes available.

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage below.

Information about State Authorization & Professional Licensure