Program Description and Requirements
This Post-Baccalaureate Program is intended for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a field of study other than Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). The program is designed to help students complete the required prerequisites as well as prepare them to enter the graduate program at Hardin-Simmons University.
Applying to the Post-Baccalaureate Program follows the same requirements and timelines as the graduate program. Students must have a minimum of 25 hours of observation under a licensed SLP prior to entering the program. (These hours will not count toward observation hours required during the program by ASHA.) Additionally, 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted. If a student is accepted into the program and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 throughout the program, meets the minimum requirement on the GRE and TOEFL (for international students), and has an acceptable interview for the program, they will be guaranteed a seat in the next cohort of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program.
Prior to applying to the Post-Baccalaureate Program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regional accredited University and complete the following courses required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) of all students entering a graduate program in speech-language pathology:
· Biological Science (one 4-hour lecture and lab course)
· Physical Science (one 4-hour lecture and lab course)
· Social Science (one 3-hour credit course)
· Statistics (one 3-hour credit course)
While in the program, the student will need to complete clinical observation hours as well as a clinical practicum. Each student is required to complete 25 hours of guided observation under the direct supervision of an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. The observation hours must be completed in the Fall semester prior to beginning the clinical practicum in the Spring. The clinical practicum will be completed under the supervision of the Clinical Director and/or designee (ASHA certified speech-language pathologist) during the Spring semester. The practicum will be completed in the University Clinic.
Program Parameters:
Each post-baccalaureate student will have two semesters to complete the 28-hour program and will fulfill the same requirements as a student applying directly to the graduate program.
The minimal admission requirements for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology are as follows:
o Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in Communication Sciences and Disorders or leveling classes before beginning graduate program
o Academic transcripts indicating an earned bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from an accredited regional institution or academic transcripts indicating an earned bachelor’s degree in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders AND leveling coursework
o Competitive GPA 3.2 or higher (Cumulative)
o Competitive GRE scores (a combined score of 290 or higher on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures and at least a 3 on the writing section) Use GRE code: 5021
o 3 letters of recommendations of which two must be from a previous academic faculty (or one from a previous academic faculty and one from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist)
o Personal statement
o TOFEL/IELTS scores (for international students)
o A student whose native language is not English must provide an official TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based exam, a 213 on the computer-based exam or a 79 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT). TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. HSU school codes: TOEFL- 6268
o Required prerequisite basic and physical science course requirements (minimum 3 credits each) for all applicants include:
o Biology (i.e., related to human or animal sciences, such as biology, human anatomy/physiology, neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, human genetics, or veterinary science)
o Chemistry or physics
o Statistics (research methods in CSD will not fulfill this requirement)
o Behavioral or social science (i.e., sociology, psychology, anthropology, or public health)
Post baccalaureate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 throughout the program to be guaranteed a seat in the next cohort of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program. Students who receive a grade of less than B in any course will be dismissed from the program. Post-Baccalaureate Program students are not allowed to repeat any of the post baccalaureate courses.
The program is designed to help students complete the required prerequisites as well as prepare them to enter the graduate program at Hardin-Simmons University. The program is an intensive 28 hour one-year program beginning each Fall in which students will complete CSD courses in the undergraduate department.
Applying to the Post-Baccalaureate Program follows the same requirements and timelines as the graduate program. Students must have a minimum of 25 hours of observation under a licensed SLP prior to entering the program. (These hours will not count toward observation hours required during the program by ASHA.) Additionally, 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted. If a student is accepted into the program and maintains a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 throughout the program, meets the minimum requirement on the GRE and TOEFL (for international students), and has an acceptable interview for the program, they will be guaranteed a seat in the next cohort of the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program.
Each student is expected to complete 25 hours of observation. Observation is part of the student’s pathway to graduate school and a requirement of 2020 ASHA Speech-Language Pathology Standards. ASHA 2020-SLP Certification Standards
STANDARD V-C
The applicant must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Twenty-five hours must be spent in guided clinical observation, and 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact.
Course Requirements
A study of normal speech, language, and hearing, including theory, normal developmental sequence and observation. Special Topics Courses: CSD 3099 Clinical Observation (2); CSD 3099 Clinical Practicum (2)