Speech - Language Pathology (M.A.)

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The Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Speech Language Pathology [residential] and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D) [residential] educational programs 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 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-language pathologist. The degree prepares you to work in numerous research, education, and health care settings such as public hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community and mental health services, school systems, and special facilities. Learn to treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. The two-year program consists of coursework and on-site clinical practice, followed by two full-time, external internship placements. The SLP program has been accredited by ASHA since 1974. Learn more at usd.edu/slp.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Arts, Speech-Language Pathology

All graduate students completing graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders must meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in their area of emphasis by the end of their degree program. 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 - Rehabilitation Audiology and Technology for D/HH 3 cr *Unless taken at the undergraduate level.
DCOM 532 - Speech Sound Disorders 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.

Speech - Language Pathology (Course Rotations)

*Speech-Language Pathology students are required to take all courses in-person during the first semester.

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.A.or B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders / M.A in Speech Language Pathology

Communication Sciences and Disorders students will: 1.) Apply to the Speech Language Pathology MA program following all admission criteria during fall of their junior year. 2.) Complete, at minimum, 108 undergraduate credit hours prior to the spring semester of their 4th year of their undergraduate degree which is their first semester where they complete course work that counts toward the B.S. or B.A. and M.A. program. 3.) Upon acceptance, begin M.A. SLP program courses during the spring semester of their 4th year of B.A. or B.S. degree. 4.) Count 12 credit hours (Spring 1) of the SLP MA program toward the B.A. or B.S. degree electives.

The following restrictions apply:

The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program. No course taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate program.
After admission to the accelerated program, courses and seminars taken at the 500-level and 700-level can be applied to the B.S., B.A., and M.A. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level. Enrollment in 700-level courses requires pre-approval from the program.
Courses that are “double counted” for the B.A. or B.S. and M.A. must be approved by the program coordinator/director for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.

Accelerated M.A in Speech Language Pathology Course Rotation

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$36 application fee
Official transcripts*

*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

Program Leading to Professional Licensure

Location Matters. This program allows only on-campus courses during the first semester and is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification required for employment in South Dakota. If you intend to apply for licensure or certification outside of South Dakota upon completion of your program, please review and understand the licensure or certification requirements in that state. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites.

This program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative.

Questions?

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

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