Admission Requirements:

Master of Arts Program 

1. Students must have taken the GRE.
2. Students must submit a Personal Statement.
3. Students must submit two letters of recommendation.
4. Students must complete an on-line application, which requires (a) a personal statement and (b) the “Disciplinary Form.” This is a requirement of the College of Education and should be completed even if the student is not seeking teaching endorsement.

International students applying to the speech-language pathology master’s program must also: submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and/or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) demonstrating adequate English proficiency. Contact the speech-language pathology program coordinator for current score requirements or visit the program website.

Endorsement Program

1. The student applying for an endorsement in specific special education areas must meet the admissions requirements specified under the Master of Arts degree;
2. Student must submit documentation of passing scores on the Michigan Test of Teacher Certification (MTTC-Basic Skills); and
3. Students must be admitted to the Special Education Department prior to taking 400- and graduate-level requirements.

Department Information:

Special Education - College of Education

Advisor Information:

Program Requirements:

The program requirements for attaining a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology differ in some aspects from those of the Graduate School in that:

1. Only six hours of graduate transfer credit will be accepted;
2. All candidates must meet the clinical and academic requirements for certification of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) prior to receiving their degrees;
3. All candidates must complete a minimum of 60 hours of approved graduate credit. Only 6 hours of transfer credit may be counted toward the 60 hours, with advisor approval;
4. All candidates must pass major courses with a grade of B- or better and clinical courses with a B or better;
5. All candidates must be recommended by the Speech-Language Pathology faculty for continuance in the program. This is to be done upon completion of 12-15 hours of course work in the program. The committee will consider GPA, faculty recommendations and demonstrated competence in academic and clinical work. Students must demonstrate behaviors that indicate stability, maturity, understanding and aptitude as judged necessary for predicted success as a speech-language pathologist.

Exit Requirements:

To be eligible for graduation and receipt of the Master’s degree, the student must:

1. Complete a capstone experience in SPSI 694  or a Master’s Thesis in SPGN 692 , in their last semester in the program;
2. Complete required course work, clinical practica and internships as described;
3. Submit a completed ASHA application to the advisor; and
4. Submit copies of all clinical practica logs to the advisor.

Curriculum Information:

Courses in General Education

Undergraduate transcripts will be reviewed to determine completion of hours to be credited toward meeting a required 40 hours of general or liberal education. Additional course work may be necessary to meet this 40-hour requirement.

Endorsement/Approval Sequence

Students must be free from any probation, administrative or academic, before an internship or practicum experience is approved. The endorsement sequence is independent from a degree program. Completion of the minimum degree requirements does not guarantee endorsement and the completion of endorsement requirements do not result in the awarding of a degree. It is important for SEM-T students to meet with their graduate advisor to develop a program of study to meet certification, endorsement and degree requirements.

Additional Requirements: 17 hours

Students without an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology must also take the following courses:

• SPGN 510 - Introduction to Inclusive Education and Disability Studies 3 hrs
• SPSI 332 - Acoustic Phonetics Speech Science  2 hrs
• SPSI 334 - Applied Phonetics  3 hrs
• SPSI 336 - Physiologic Phonetics: Anatomy and Physiology  3 hrs
• SPSI 337 - Language Acquisition  3 hrs
• SPSI 392 - Introduction to Audiology  3 hrs

Degree Requirements: 60-61 hours

The following courses are offered to students for completion of the master’s degree program and are considered to be a standard program of study. Students who transfer from other universities should consult their academic advisor concerning equivalencies.

• SPSI 508 - Multicultural Issues in Intervention for Communication Disorders 2 hrs
• SPSI 516 - Introduction to Research in Speech-Language Pathology 3 hrs
• SPSI 528 - Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology I 3 hrs
• SPSI 538 - Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology II 3 hrs
• SPSI 540 - Articulation and Phonological Impairments 3 hrs
• SPSI 543 - Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology 3 hrs
• SPSI 552 - Voice 3 hrs
• SPSI 554 - Fluency Disorders 3 hrs
• SPSI 555 - Neuroanatomy and Physiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist 2 hrs
• SPSI 568 - Diagnostic Methods: Assessment of Speech and Language Disorders in Children 3 hrs
• SPSI 578 - Diagnosis and Treatment of Audiometric Disorders 3 hrs
• SPSI 607 - Early Intervention for Speech and Language Impaired Children 3 hrs
• SPSI 612 - Motor Speech Disorders 2 hrs
• SPSI 614 - Aphasia 3 hrs
• SPSI 618 - Language Disorders in School-Age Children 3 hrs
• SPSI 620 - Consulting and Interviewing in Speech Pathology 2 hrs
• SPSI 622 - Augmentative Communication 3 hrs
• SPSI 624 - Acquired Neurogenic Cognitive-Communication Disorders 3 hrs
• SPSI 625 - Dysphagia 2 hrs

• Choose two courses from the following:

  Students complete only two of three internships, either (SPSI 687 and 688) OR (SPSI 687 and 689).

• SPSI 687 - Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology I 3 hrs
• SPSI 688 - Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology II 3 hrs
• SPSI 689 - Public School Internship in Speech-Language Pathology 3 hrs

• Choose one course from the following:

• SPGN 692 - Master’s Thesis 3 hrs
• SPSI 694 - Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology 2 hrs

Teaching Certification:

Students may elect to pursue teaching certification; however, this is optional. Students choosing to do so and selecting Elementary Certification must complete a second major in Liberal Arts for Elementary Education. In addition, those selecting Elementary Certification must pass the “Elementary Education” certification test, #083. Students selecting Secondary Certification must select a teachable minor from the approved list, and students must pass the certification test related to the minor in order to be recommended for endorsement in the minor field. See the undergraduate catalog for additional information. Note: This is a requirement if the student has not already completed a major or minor appropriate to the level of certificate sought during completion of the bachelor’s degree.