Speech Language Pathology, MS

Introduction

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide clinical services that include prevention, diagnosis, habilitation and rehabilitation of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders. 

Speech-language pathology is a dynamic and continuously changing profession that requires attention to detail, a professional attitude, and excellent communication skills. SLPs are professionals who enjoy working one-on-one with people and with groups. Having a broad academic background is an asset in the field.

Degree Requirements

The MS SLP program is typically a 5-semester program completed within 2 years for students with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Communication Sciences and Disorders minor, and/or who have met all prerequisites. Other students should contact admissions for information.

Admission

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission.  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires that master’s degree candidates show transcripted evidence of at least one background course in each of the biological sciences, physical sciences (chemistry or physics), statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences (see table below of Pacific University courses meeting ASHA requirements). Classes taken at the high school level are not accepted toward these requirements unless the course appears, with credit, on a university transcript such as may be given by the undergraduate institution for Advance Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework. Each background course must be a minimum of 3 credits and completed prior to admission. Under special circumstances, with permission of the Director of the School of CSD, courses may be completed during the first semester of graduate study. 

A major in communication sciences and disorders is not required, but all discipline-specific prerequisite course work must be completed prior to enrollment in the master’s program.  Prerequisite courses in communication sciences and disorders include: clinical phonetics, anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, speech and language development, introduction to audiology, aural rehabilitation, and neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Students are expected to have completed 25 hours of supervised observation in a clinical setting prior to beginning the graduate program. Students with an undergraduate degree but without the appropriate background courses should consider applying to the post-baccalaureate sequence to complete these pre-requisite courses.

Admission to the master’s program is highly competitive. A minimum 3.25 GPA in the last 60 credits of coursework (inclusive of the full semester in which these credits occurred) is highly recommended. The program has temporarily suspended the requirement for GRE score submission. Meeting these thresholds does not guarantee an interview or admission.

The School of CSD uses a holistic admissions process. Admissions decisions are made through integration of academic history, standardized assessment, letters of recommendation, and the candidate’s lived experience as provided in application materials such as letters of intent and through the candidate interview, Selected applicants are invited for an interview with members of the faculty and community partners.  Candidate interviews provide an opportunity for the School of CSD to get to know qualified applicants and for these applicants to learn more about Pacific University and the MS SLP program.

Admission is granted one time per year with a fall semester start. The deadline for applications is January 15 each year.

Application Process

• An online application using the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) is required. The CSDCAS application requires a fee paid directly to CSDCAS. Pacific University does not require a fee for application other than those fees associated with the CSDCAS application.
• All application information must be submitted directly to CSDCAS in order to complete your application with them. This information will include:
  • Official transcripts from each college/university institution attended;
  • Three or more letters of recommendation (letter usually should come from academic faculty who can speak to your potential for success in a graduate program in speech-language pathology);
  • If submitted, GRE General Test scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing subtests) using Institution Code of 0825 (not Pacific’s code of 4601);
  • Other supporting documentation which may vary from year to year (see CSDCAS website for details).
  • Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency (see below).

English Language Proficiency Policy

A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to all programs at Pacific University. All applicants, including resident aliens and citizens, must meet the English language proficiency requirement prior to admission. Any exception to this policy must be reviewed and approved by the Director of the School of CSD Admissions Committee.

Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions for valid proof of English language proficiency:

• Completion of a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or professional degree at a regionally accredited college or university where English is the primary language of instruction. Note: Individuals who are in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution may be conditionally admitted.
• Achieving the minimum required official score on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pacific University Institutional TOEFL, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

Note: According to the Education Testing Services (ETS) policy the institutional TOEFL can only be offered to that institution’s students and thus is only valid at that institution. Thus, the Pacific University Institutional TOEFL can only be offered to Pacific University students and is only valid at Pacific.

Test scores are valid for two years after the test date. A test score more than two years old will be considered valid if the score exceeds the minimum requirements (overall and sections) and the candidate has maintained continuous residency in a country where English is the primary language since the exam date.

Invalid Proof of English Language Proficiency

• Test score less than Pacific’s minimum requirement
• Test score more than two years old (unless the candidate has lived in the United States since the exam date)
• Institutional TOEFL score from any school except Pacific
• Completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at any school
• Successful completion of English, writing, or literature courses at any college or university
• An associate’s degree from a community college in the United States

A candidate’s proof of English language proficiency does not equate to admission into a program. All other admission requirements and selection through the holistic admissions process must be met in addition to demonstrating English language proficiency.

Example Pacific University Courses that meet ASHA Requirements for the Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Statistics, and Social/Behavioral Sciences

Program Length: Two Years

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, and
2. Knowledge of human communication and swallowing disorders and differences including appropriate etiologies and characteristics as well as anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates, and
3. Knowledge of standards of ethical conduct and contemporary professional issues in speech-language pathology practice, and
4. Knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice in speech-language pathology, and
5. Skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice of speech-language pathology, and
6. Knowledge of and the ability to apply the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders through supervised clinical practica.

Certification and Licensure

The University makes no representations, warranties, guarantees, or promises regarding an individual’s ability to obtain licensure, certification, or employment. The following disclosures related to educational requirements for licensure and certification are in accordance with Federal Regulation 34 CFR §668.43.

Students who complete the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology in the School of CSD will have completed academic and clinical requirements required to apply for a Conditional License in Speech-Language Pathology from the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Please note that the criteria for application to the Oregon Board of Examiners is set by the Board, not by Pacific University, and may change over time. Conditional licensure requirements include the identification of a mentor, filing an application, successful background check, fees, and any other requirements as set forth by the Board of Examiners. The Conditional License is a time-limited license associated with the period of the mentored Clinical Fellowship. Information and instructions for Oregon Licensure are available online: http://www.oregon.gov/bspa/Pages/index.aspx

Students who plan to seek licensure in other states should consult the licensing authority in those states for further information. ASHA maintains links for state contacts and licensing requirements available at: http://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/

Policies

These policies apply to all students in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students enrolled in the MS SLP program also are held to the policies of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Student Handbook.

Unsatisfactory Graduate Academic Performance:

If a student earns a grade of F in any single course, they may be dismissed from the program. If dismissed, the student may apply for readmission the following year. Readmission, if allowed, will be contingent on the student retaking the failed course and obtaining a grade no lower than B-.

The first time a student earns a grade below B- (or a grade of N) in any single course (see above for F grades), they must successfully complete a remediation plan. In the case of practicum courses (graded P/N), the remediation plan may extend into the next semester. Successful completion of the remediation plan does not change the original grade. Failure to complete the remediation successfully may result in dismissal from the program. If dismissed, the student may apply for readmission which would begin the next time the course with the low grade is offered (typically the following year). Readmission, if allowed, will be contingent on the student retaking the failed course and obtaining a grade no lower than B- or P.

If a student earns a second grade lower than B- (or a grade of N) in the same or any subsequent semester, s/he may be dismissed from the program. The student may apply for readmission the following year. Readmission, if allowed, will be contingent on the student retaking the course(s) in which substandard grade(s) were earned and obtaining a grade no lower than B- or P in all courses.

Unsatisfactory Graduate Academic Performance in Practicum Courses:

If a student earns a No-Pass (N) grade, any clinical contact hours accumulated during that course will not be counted toward clinical certification. The student must re-enroll in that practicum course and successfully complete a comparable practicum the following semester with a remediation plan in place (successful completion of the remediation does not change or replace the previously earned practicum grade). A No-Pass grade in a clinical practicum will delay the student’s program completion. Subsequent clinical assignments will be contingent on availability (i.e., clinical externship may not be available during the summer semester).