Speech Language Pathology (M.S.)

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Program: Master of Science (M.S.)
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
College of Science

Classroom and Clinic Bldg 111 ~ 260-481-6410

Christopher Grindrod, Graduate Program Director
Jolene Lawton, Lead Advisor

The M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology is a two year (six semester), 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, neural bases of speech and hearing (e.g., neuroanatomy and physiology), acoustics, audiology, and at least one course on speech-language disorders. In addition, students are required to have completed undergraduate coursework in biology, physical sciences (i.e., chemistry or physics), social/behavioral sciences, and statistics.

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at Purdue University Fort Wayne is a Candidate for Accreditation 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. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in speech-language pathology is also an approved educator preparation program for the Indiana Department of Education Communication Disorders license. This license prepares students to work as speech-language pathologists in public school settings in the state of Indiana.

Program Requirements

Students must complete all of the following program requirements. A thesis option is available but does not replace any other program requirements
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all courses included in the Plan of Study
A minimum grade of B- in CSD 51400: Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice III
A minimum grade of B- in CSD 51500: Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice IV

Courses Required: Credits 57

CSD 50500 - Evidence-Based Practice In Speech-Language Pathology Cr. 2.
CSD 51200 - Critical Thinking In Clinical Practice I Cr. 4.
CSD 51300 - Critical Thinking In Clinical Practice II Cr. 4.
CSD 51400 - Critical Thinking In Clinical Practice III Cr. 2.
CSD 51500 - Critical Thinking In Clinical Practice IV Cr. 2.
CSD 52100 - Speech Sound Disorders In Children Cr. 2.
CSD 52300 - Language Disorders In Children Cr. 2.
CSD 52600 - Language & Literacy Disorders Cr. 2.
CSD 52900 - Stuttering: Nature, Diagnosis, And Treatment Cr. 2.
CSD 53100 - Language & Cognitive Communication Disorders In Adults Cr. 2.
CSD 53200 - Voice Disorders Cr. 2.
CSD 53300 - Medical Speech-Language Pathology Cr. 2.
CSD 53800 - Motor Disorders Of Speech Cr. 2.
CSD 53900 - Deglutition & Dysphagia Cr. 2.
CSD 54000 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication Cr. 2.
CSD 54300 - Clinical Methods In Speech-Language Pathology Cr. 2.
CSD 54400 - School Based Speech-Language Pathology Cr. 2.
CSD 54500 - Licensure Cr. 0.
CSD 54900 - Clinical Practice In Speech Language Pathology I Cr. 1-8.
Note: CSD 54900 is a repeatable course and students will take it for a total of 10 credits across multiple semesters.
CSD 64800 - Speech-Language Pathology Education Externship Cr. 4 or 5.
CSD 64900 - Speech-Language Pathology Healthcare Externship Cr. 4 or 5.

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.

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

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. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the Graduate Director.