Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.
Christine Sanchez, M.S., CCC-SLP
Graduate Program Director
Mission
The mission of the Hardin-Simmons University Speech-Language Pathology program is to equip highly competent speech-language pathologists who are enlightened by Christian faith and values and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to work in the diverse communities of the world.
Graduate Program
The Speech-Language Pathology Program is a part of the College of Health Professions and offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology degree. The curriculum is a full-time, two-year (five semesters), non-thesis program with 57 credit hours (41 hours of course work and 16 hours of clinical practicum) designed for students with an undergraduate background in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students without this background may apply but will be expected to complete leveling courses before starting the program.
The SLP graduate program offers students a distinctive academic and clinical experience in the field of speech-language pathology. Students are required to be enrolled in clinical practicum each semester to achieve a total of 400 clinical clock hours. Students within the College of Health Professions (COHP) participate in interprofessional activities throughout the year. These experiences will provide graduates with the skills and competencies leading to a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Suggested Admission Criteria
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or a bachelor’s degree in an area other than CSD and at least 24 credit hours of leveling coursework
- 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 CSD GPA
- Three letters of recommendation written by individuals who can address your readiness to complete our graduate program, preferably from previous academic faculty and/or ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists
- Personal statement reflecting who you are and how you will contribute to our program and professional field
- TOEFL/ELTS scores (for international students)
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 code: TOEFL - 6268
Applications to the program are submitted through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).
Prerequisite Coursework
Students entering this graduate program who have not completed an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must successfully complete at least 24 credit hours of leveling coursework before they can enter the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program. The following leveling courses or their equivalents are recommended:
| Course |
Course Number |
Credit Hours |
| Normal Speech-Language/Learning/Hearing |
CSD 2352 |
3 |
| Audiology |
CSD 2353 |
3 |
| Clinical Phonetics |
CSD 3351 |
3 |
| Aural Rehabilitation |
CSD 3353 |
3 |
| Articulation and Phonological Processing |
CSD 3354 |
3 |
| Anatomy, Physiology, and Neuro |
CSD 3356 |
3 |
| Language Disorders |
CSD 4352 |
3 |
| Introduction to Speech Acoustics |
PHYS 2405 |
4 |
In addition to the above prerequisites, the Council for Clinical Certification requires that all students have transcript credit for statistics, biology, physical science (physics or chemistry), and social science. Students may complete their leveling courses in the post-baccalaureate program at Hardin-Simmons or any accredited program that offers equivalent courses. The program director may determine equivalency of leveling courses. Hardin-Simmons University has a post-baccalaureate program for students needing to complete their leveling work.
The Master's of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Hardin-Simmons University 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.
Curriculum
Courses
| SLP 6308 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SLP 6310 | Pediatric Language Disorders Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| SLP 6415 | Aphasia and Related Disorders | 4 |
| SLP 6212 | Clinical Assessment Principles and Procedures | 2 |
| SLP 6301 | Clinical Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SLP 6325 | Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 6332 | Dysphagia and Related Disorders (Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing) | 3 |
| SLP 6236 | Fluency Assessment and Intervention | 2 |
| SLP 6302 | Clinical Practicum 2 | 3 |
| SLP 6362 | Language Disorders in School-Age Children | 3 |
| SLP 6241 | Multi-Cultural Aspects of Communication Disorders | 2 |
| SLP 6403 | Clinical Practicum 3 | 4 |
| SLP 6354 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 6238 | Voice and Resonance Assessment and Intervention | 2 |
| SLP 6368 | Graduate SLP Seminar | 3 |
| SLP 6304 | Clinical Practicum 4 | 3 |
| SLP 6220 | Counseling and Interviewing in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 6358 | Special Populations and Augmentative & Assistive Communication (AAC) | 3 |
| SLP 6384 | Special Topics Seminar in Speech Pathology | 3 |
| SLP 6305 | Clinical Practicum 5 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 57 |
Total Credit Hours: 57
Total Credit Hours: 57