Speech-Language Pathology M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/asld/grad/speech/
Program Director: Karen Day
Phone: 410-704-4022
Email: kday@towson.edu
The Speech-Language Pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The program provides the student with:
- the study of normal communication processes;
- an in-depth investigation of communication disorders;
- development of therapeutic goals, procedures and materials; and
- extensive clinical experience in on- and off-campus settings.
The program is designed to enable pre-professionals in the field (i.e., those with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in speech-language pathology and audiology), to meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements of national accrediting and state licensing bodies.
The degree will prepare the individual for national certification and state licensure for employment in various settings including public and non-public schools, clinics, hospitals/medical facilities or private-practices. All clinical practicum requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology must be completed before the M.S. degree is awarded.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Prerequisites for Admission
Applicants that apply to the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) MS program must have a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology/communication disorders from a regionally accredited college or university OR have a bachelor’s degree in an alternate field with completion of specific prerequisite coursework as described below.
All students, regardless of their undergraduate background, are required to complete coursework in the following areas for certification by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA; https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards/). Two of these courses must be complete with a grade of C (2.0) or above at the time of application and all four must be completed by the start of the program.
- Biological Sciences (human/animal focused)
- Physical Sciences (chemistry or physics)
- Statistics
- Social/Behavioral Sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc.)
Students without a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology/communication disorders have two options for entering the program:
- Second bachelor’s degree speech-language pathology and audiology/communication disorders at an accredited institution. Students may apply to the second bachelor’s program at Towson University or any other accredited university.
Or - Students may complete prerequisite course work in communication disorders at an accredited university or through individual courses at one or more universities. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Please contact the graduate program with questions and requirements related to prerequisites (slpgradprogram@towson.edu).
Prerequisite Coursework Areas: (At least 4 of these courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or above at the time of application, the remainder must be completed by start of program except as noted)
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory and Vocal Mechanism
- Phonetics of American English
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech Sound Disorders
- Language Disorders
- Speech Science
- Introduction to Audiology
- Clinical Observations and Techniques* (Note: This course must include 25 documented observation hours)
- Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation* (Note: This course may be taken during the SLP program)
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPPA 600 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FROM BIRTH THROUGH PRESCHOOL | 3 |
| SPPA 603 | COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS | 1 |
| SPPA 604 | ACQUIRED NEUROGENIC LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS I | 3 |
| SPPA 605 | ACQUIRED NEUROGENIC LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS II | 3 |
| SPPA 606 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN | 3 |
| SPPA 610 | SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 614 | FLUENCY DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 615 | AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | 3 |
| SPPA 620 | VOICE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS | 3 |
| SPPA 626 | NEUROLOGICALLY BASED SPEECH DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 628 | DYSPHAGIA [LECTURE] | 3 |
| SPPA 628L | DYSPHAGIA [LAB] | 1 |
| SPPA 705 | PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN SPEECH LANGUAGE-PATHOLOGY | 1 |
| SPPA 707 | CULTURAL & LINGUISTIC CONSIDERATIONS IN SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | 1 |
| SPPA 713 | SEMINAR: RESEARCH DESIGN IN SPPA | 1 |
| SPPA 714 | AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION | 2 |
| Clinical Practicum I (two courses) | ||
| SPPA 690 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM ON-CAMPUS | 3 |
| SPPA 745 | ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM ON-CAMPUS | 3 |
| Clinical Practicum II | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOLS | ||
| ADVANCED PEDIATRIC PRACTICUM | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM CONTINUUM ON-CAMPUS | ||
| Clinical Practicum III | 6 | |
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOLS | ||
| ADVANCED PEDIATRIC PRACTICUM | ||
| CLINICAL PRACTICUM CONTINUUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| Elective | ||
| Select one of the following (courses offered in summer and offerings vary by year): | 1 | |
| ADVANCED DYSPHAGIA | ||
| PEDIATRIC FEEDING | ||
| COUNSELING FOR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS | ||
| LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR THE SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | ||
| Total Units | 53 | |
Successful completion of a capstone activity is required before graduation. Students may complete either a Comprehensive Examination or a master's thesis/mentored research project.
The Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology recognizes a special responsibility to the profession to ensure graduates of master’s degree programs demonstrate attitudes and behaviors consistent with the standards of the profession. Students must abide by the professional and ethical standards established by the department and by ASHA. All students must have a criminal background check complete and on file in advance of beginning clinical practice.
- Graduates will demonstrate competency in knowledge in normal and disordered communication processes.
- Graduates will acquire and demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication including information technology.
- Graduates will acquire and demonstrate skills in prevention, evaluation and intervention of communication disorders.