Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (MS-SLP)

The Speech Language Pathology M.S. program will be offered in fall 2024 pending approval by the Council on Academic Accreditation – Audiology and Speech Language Pathology.  

Total Semester Credit Hours = 54 (45 academic + 9 clinical practicum credits) 

The Mission of the UT Tyler Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Program is to prepare highly qualified clinicians equipped with the academic knowledge and clinical skills required for the effective assessment, treatment, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders; and to develop into an indispensable community partner contributing to the health, well-being, and education of East Texas communities and beyond.

The program is full time. It consists of 5 consecutive semesters (including one summer) and must be completed within 2 years. All academic courses and clinical practicum internships are face-to-face. Academic courses will be held in the evening (5:00 PM-7:45 PM) 3 times per week. Students will complete practicum work during the day, at least 3 days a week. 

The program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders, and for other individuals with a bachelor’s in another field (given that they have completed all the prerequisite/ leveling courses in communication sciences and disorders). The program provides students with the academic and clinical coursework required for pursuing national certification (ASHA certification), state licensure as a speech-language pathologist, and state certification as teacher of the speech and hearing impaired. 

The academic course work consists of 45 graduate credit hours in academic courses, in addition to a maximum of 9 credits in clinical practicum. The clinical practicum involves direct delivery of diagnostic and treatment services to patients at the graduate program’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and external sites. During practicum internships, students complete the 400 practicum hours. These hours are typically completed over 3 semesters and cover the whole range of communication and swallowing disorders. In cases where students are unable to earn all hours within 3 semesters, they are allowed to enroll in the clinical practicum course beyond the 3 semesters; however, no more than 9 practicum credit hours can be counted toward the degree. If an external site requires commitments exceeding the number of hours sought, the student will be allowed to do so; however, no more than 9 credits will be counted toward the program’s 54 credits. 

Application Deadlines

Students accepted for fall semester only: September 1 (Priority Deadline) January 31 (absolute deadline)

Students applying for the New Graduate Student Fellowship should have all application materials submitted before the priority deadline.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology

In addition to the University’s admissions requirements, the new SLP master’s program has the following specific requirements:

Basic Application requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in CSD or bachelor’s in another field (given that the applicant has taken all prerequisite communication sciences and disorders coursework)
• GRE:
  • Minimum Overall Score of 300  
  • Minimum Verbal Score of 150
  •  Minimum Quantitative Score of 150
  • Analytic Writing Score of 3.5-5.0
• GPA: Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0; and minimum major GPA of 3.0  
• 25 hours of clinical observation (obtained as part of an academic course)
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Letter of Intent
• CV/Resume
• Personal Interview 
• Official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate courses taken
• Excellent comprehension and production of spoken and written language (including speech articulation, voice, and fluency in American English) 
• Functional/normal hearing acuity and auditory processing 
• Functional visual acuity and visual processing  
• Emotional maturity and stability 
• Excellent social communication and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to conduct research independently and work under pressure 

Prerequisite Undergraduate Coursework:

The following undergraduate courses are required, with a grade of “B-” or better in each course: 

• Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Anatomy & Physiology of Speech, Language, and Hearing
• Speech & Hearing Science
• Language Acquisition and Development
• Phonetics
• Clinical Procedures (including 25 observation hours)
• Introduction to Audiology
• Neurological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
• Biology (100-level) 
• Chemistry OR Physics (100-level)
• Statistics (Elementary level)
• Developmental Psychology OR Child Psychology
• Linguistics

Students can transfer up to 9 graduate credits from an accredited speech language pathology master or doctoral degree program from a university in which they were officially enrolled. Non-degree students can transfer up to 6 graduate credits, given that those credits were completed in a an accredited SLP master/doctoral program within the previous 7 years. In all cases, transfer credits are allowed only after the student has successfully completed the first semester in our program. The minimum GPA required for graduation from the program is 3.0, with no grades below “B”.

 

Conditional Acceptance:

The program will consider applications from students who do not have the 25 observation hours or are missing no more than 1 undergraduate course. If these applicants meet all other program criteria and are accepted in the program, their acceptance will be contingent on (a) completing the observation hours or undergraduate course during their first semester, (b) earning a grade of B or above in the course, and (c) the grade they earn does not lower their major GPA.   

Conditional Acceptance of Non-Native/Nonstandard English Speakers:

The Program will conditionally admit students who have all basic science and CSD prerequisite coursework, required ESL score, and other Program requirements, but need a short-term program to enhance spoken and/or written language, given that the student completes the Intensive English Language Institute during the summer or during the first semester in the Program.   

Additionally, students will be given the opportunity to participate in an accent modification and English language enhancement program at the Program’s Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. If this is the case, the program will be designed and implemented by graduate students under the guidance of academic faculty and clinical educators.

All documents must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions ([e-mail])

To discuss the application and admission processes related to this graduate program, please contact the Graduate Admissions. Specific questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Ahmed Abdelal (Program Director) at [e-mail]. 

Students must complete all required coursework as outlined below, as well as 375 practicum hours (in addition to the 25 observation hours required for admission). These practicum hours must be spent in direct diagnostic and treatment services of all communication disorders and swallowing, and across all ages (from birth through old age).

Detailed Program of Study

Total Required Credit Hours = 54

New courses are currently in process and pending approval. See the program webpage for the course descriptions.

Fall Semester Year 1

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5352	Language Disorders in Children – 0-5	3
COMD 5350	Aphasia	3
COMD 5360	Assessment and Diagnosis in Speech-Language Pathology	3
COMD 5354	Clinical Practicum – Initial	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	12

Spring Semester Year 1

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5353	Language Disorders in Children – K-12	3
COMD 5362	Speech Sound Disorders	3
COMD 5359	Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice in CSD	3
COMD 5355	Clinical Practicum - Advanced	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	12

Summer Semester Year 1A

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5358	Dysphagia and Feeding	3

Summer Semester Year 1B

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5357	Augmentative and Alternative Communication	3

Summer Semester Year 10 Week Courses

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5351	Cognitive Communication Disorders	3
COMD 5355	Advanced Clinical Practicum	3

Fall Semester Year 2

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5361	Motor Speech Disorders	3
COMD 5362	Aural Rehabilitation	3
COMD 5363	Voice and Resonance Disorders	3
COMD 5355	Clinical Practicum - Advanced	3
	TOTAL CREDITS:	12

Spring Semester Year 2

Course	COURSE TITLE	Credits
COMD 5364	Fluency Disorders	3
COMD 5365	Capstone in Speech Language Pathology	3
COMD 5366	Special Topics in Speech Language Path	3
COMD 5355	Clinical Practicum - Advanced	3
	TOTAL CREDITS:	12

Note: Students are allowed to take the practicum courses every semester; however, only 9 credit hours can be counted toward the degree.