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.

Program Overview

The graduate program in speech-language pathology provides broad-based academic, clinical and research preparation to prepare you as a speech pathologist. You may work in many different research, education and health care settings such as public hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community and mental health services, schools, kindergartens and specialist organizations. Learn to treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. The two-year, post baccalaureate program consists of coursework and on-site clinical practica, followed by two semesters of full-time, external internship placements. Accredited by ASHA since 1974. Learn more at usd.edu/slp.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Arts, Speech-Language Pathology

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 - 60-78 Credit Hours *

DCOM 523 - Auditory Assistive Strategies and Technology, and Communication Development in Persons Who Are D/HH 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 532 - Disorders of Phonology and Articulation 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 533 - Voice Disorders 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 534 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level. 3 credit hours required.
DCOM 535 - Language Disorders of Children 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 537 - Advanced Language Disorders 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level. 3 credit hours required.
DCOM 580 - Supervised Clinical Practice 1-6 cr (11 credit hours required) 4 semesters
DCOM 711 - Professional Issues 2 cr
DCOM 724 - Advanced Communication Science 3 cr
DCOM 731 - Fluency Disorders 3 cr
DCOM 732 - Craniofacial Anomalies 3 cr
DCOM 733 - Neuromotor Speech Disorders 3 cr
DCOM 734 - Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition 4 cr
DCOM 735 - Audiology for Speech Language Pathology 1 cr
DCOM 736 - Diagnostics in Speech and Language Disorders 3 cr
DCOM 737 - Dysphagia 3 cr
DCOM 738 - Applied Speech-Language Pathology 1 cr
DCOM 759 - Integrated Clinical Methods 1 cr (2 credit hours required) 1 cr each
DCOM 784 - Supervised Clinical Practice 1-12 cr Two semesters of internship required with 9 credit hours each semester (18 credit hours required)
DCOM 787 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders 3 cr
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.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet 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, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

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 USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Communication Sciences & Disorders
605-658-3870 | csd@usd.edu | usd.edu/csd

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad