Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Speech Language Pathology (M.S.)


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Purdue University
Master of Science (M.S.)
College of Arts and Sciences

Modular Clinic Classroom Bldg 111 ~ 260-481-6410

Stacy Betz, Chair and Graduate Program Director


The M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology is a two year, full-time program that includes graduate level coursework focusing on assessment and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. Throughout the program, coursework and clinical experiences are integrated so that students develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully engage in evidence-based practice as a speech-language pathologist. During the first year of the program, students gain clinical experiences in the department’s on-campus Communication Disorders Clinic. In the second year, students also complete clinical experiences in off-campus placement sites including schools, inpatient and outpatient medical settings, and skilled nursing facilities.

An undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is not required for admission, however, students are required to have the prerequisite knowledge needed to be successful in the graduate courses. This knowledge should be demonstrated through formal coursework in phonetics, child language development, speech and hearing anatomy and physiology, acoustics, audiology, and at least one course on speech-language disorders. In addition, students are required to have completed undergraduate coursework in human or animal biology, physical sciences (i.e., chemistry or physics), social/behavioral sciences, and statistics.

As of the publication of this catalog, the M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Purdue University Fort Wayne is an Applicant for Candidacy by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Updates to the program’s accreditation status that occur after the publication of this catalog will be posted in the “What’s New” section of the catalog.


Program Requirements


Students must complete all of the following program requirements.  A thesis option is available but does not replace any other program requirements.

Foundational Knowledge Examination


No later than the end of the first fall semester of the program, students must pass a written examination assessing knowledge of the undergraduate communication sciences and disorders content required for admission to the program. This examination includes content related to: phonetics, child language development, speech and neural anatomy/physiology, acoustics, audiology, and foundational content regarding speech-language disorders.

Comprehensive Examinations


Students must pass a written comprehensive exam during the first year of the program and an oral comprehensive exam during the second year of the program.

Optional Thesis


Students may complete an optional research based thesis. Students who choose to complete a thesis will be required to complete 3 to 9 thesis credits (CSD 69800: Research M.S. Thesis). The exact number of credits needed to successfully complete the thesis project will be determined by the faculty mentor. Students will also need to successfully pass the written and oral examination of their thesis according to all rules established by Purdue University. Completing a thesis does not replace any other program requirements.

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 57


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career.  All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the Graduate Director.

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