Graduate Programs
Master of Science Education Program
in Speech-Language Pathology
Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology
The Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology is a 56 credit hour program which is composed of 35 hours of didactic coursework in addition to 21 hours of clinical coursework to prepare master’s level students to provide services as competent clinicians, future Ph.D. or clinical doctoral level students (SLPD), and professional representatives of the communication sciences and disorders community. The completion of this program will prepare graduates for the national Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, in addition to qualifying graduates for state licensure and preparedness for potential higher education.
Application Deadline
May 1 - Extended Deadline
Admissions Requirements at a Glance
- Submit CSDCAS Application
- Official Transcripts
- Two-Minute Personal Video Statement
- Prerequisite Coursework
- 25 Observation Hours
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Submit WLU Supplemental Application with $40 fee
- An interview may be requested after a review of all other application materials.
- Note: Additional Requirements for International Student Applicants
Mission and Vision
Mission Statement: Educating future Speech-Language Pathologists to be compassionate,
innovative leaders and effectively serve the local and global communities through competent and ethical decision making.
Vision Statement: Empowering our students to affect meaningful and progressive change,
through mindful engagement as global citizens within the greater community, as well as
effectively serving those with communication impairments.
Program Goals
- To provide graduate education in the Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology and to prepare students to meet the most current professional standards for clinical certification and licensure
- To develop the professional preparation of future clinicians in the areas of communication sciences and disorders which includes, but is not limited to, speech production, language, cognition, voice, fluency, feeding and swallowing, resonance, and auditory (re)habilitation in both the pediatric and adult populations
- To give students a wide range of clinical and research opportunities to meet the needs of the community, state, and nation and to prepare students for any occupational setting following the completion of the program
- To ensure a strong foundation of evidence-based practice including research, client and caregiver considerations, and clinical experience
- To foster and utilize a life-long commitment to professional development as it relates to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association standards, scope of practice, and ethics
requirements
Upon completion of the Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology, graduates will be able to:
- Knowledge: Integrate didactic knowledge within the nine major competency areas: speech sound production, fluency/fluency disorders, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language, hearing, swallowing/feeding, cognitive aspects of communication, social aspects of communication, and augmentative and alternative modalities
- Kinesthetic Learning: Demonstrate appropriate professional and clinical skills through hands-on coursework, in-house clinical rotations, community clinical rotations, and externship placements
- Clinical Decision Making: Display positive critical thinking and decision-making skills within evaluation, identification, diagnosis, planning, implementation, report writing and/or intervention as it applies to the topics in speech-language pathology
- Evidence-Based Critical Thinking: Apply evidence-informed decision making through educated information seeking, collaboration, and interpretation of research utilizing analytical skills
The following are the minimum requirements for the WLU Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology:
- Completion of all required courses in the graduate curriculum
- An overall graduate grade point average of at least 3.00 with a minimum competency level of B in all didactic and clinical courses
- A grade of “C” in one course will require remediation. A grade of “C” in two courses will result in dismissal from the program
- A minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised practicum, including at least 25 observation hours and 375 hours of direct therapy/patient contact hours
- Completion of both educational and healthcare clinical placement settings
- Completion of a Professional Development Portfolio
- Passing score of 80% or higher on the Comprehensive Assessment of Content Knowledge exam
| ON-TIME PROGRAM COMPLETION RATES | ||
| Reporting Period | # Completed within Expected Time Frame | % Completed within Expected Time Frame |
| 2025-2026 (Recent Year) | N/A | N/A |
| 2024-2025 (1 Year Prior) | N/A | N/A |
| 2023-2024 (2 Years Prior) | In progress | In progress |
| PRAXIS EXAMINATION PASS RATES OF TEST-TAKERS | |||
| Reporting Period | # Taking the Exam | # Passed Exam | % Passed Exam Rate |
| 2025-2026 (Recent Year) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2024-2025 (1 Year Prior) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2023-2024 (2 Years Prior) | In progress | In progress | In progress |
| EMPLOYMENT RATES OF GRADUATES | ||
| Reporting Period | Employment Rate in Profession | |
| # of Graduates | % of Graduates | |
| 2025-2026 (Recent Year) | N/A | N/A |
| 2024-2025 (1 Year Prior) | N/A | N/A |
| 2023-2024 (2 Years Prior) | In progress | In progress |
Curriculum
Fall Year 1
SLP 501 Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology
SLP 505 Speech Sound Disorders in Pediatric Populations
SLP 507 Diagnostic Techniques in Speech-Language Pathology
SLP 540 Clinical Seminar I
SLP 550 Clinical Practicum I
Spring Year 1
SLP 502 Childhood Language and Literacy Disorders
SLP 504 Fluency Disorders
SLP 506 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology in Speech-Language Pathology
SLP 508 Audiology and Hearing Disorders for the SLP
SLP 541 Clinical Seminar II
SLP 551 Clinical Practicum II
Summer Year 1 (Online Coursework)
SLP 510 Capstone in Speech-Language Pathology
SLP 515 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
SLP 542 Advanced Clinical Seminar I
SLP 552 Advanced Clinical Practicum I
Fall Year 2
SLP 517 Motor Speech and Language Disorders in Adults
SLP 519 Voice and Resonance Disorders
SLP 525 Dysphagia
SLP 543 Advanced Clinical Seminar II
SLP 553 Advanced Clinical Practicum II
Spring Year 2
SLP 560 Clinical Externship
Optional Courses
SLP 570 Medical SLP
SLP 571 Educational Service Delivery
SLP 578 Special Topics (1-3 hrs)
Total 56 Credit Hours
Cost
To learn more about our program, please visit the Business Office Webpage.
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
American Speech-Language Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard #310
Rockville, MD 20850
800-498-2071
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at West Liberty 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.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is an equal opportunity department and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The department is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We promise to maintain a positive academic and clinical environment and will fully support the University’s mission which states, “West Liberty University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will provide a nurturing environment of diversity, inclusion, and equity in our community where everyone is respected, valued, included, treated fairly, and welcomed—regardless of one’s race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and/or socioeconomic status.” Students who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with WLU’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at officeofdei@westliberty.edu.
Additional Information
Please see the Master of Science (MS) education program in Speech-Language Pathology’s 5 year strategic plan.
All program and student information may be found in the Master of Science (MS) education program in Speech-Language Pathology’s graduate student handbook.
All clinical education information and policies/procedures pertaining to the Speech and Hearing Clinic may be found in the clinic handbook. For a copy of either handbook, please request this from the department chair below.
For more information on the services we provide and to schedule an appointment in the Speech and Hearing Clinic, please click here.
For more information on the Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology, please click here.
Your Future as a Speech-Language Pathologist
Percent Change in Employment 2032
Ranked # 3 in healthcare jobs, the employment opportunity for Speech-Language Pathologists is predicted to be one of the fastest growing occupations. From 2022 to 2032, the projected growth for Speech-Language Pathologists is 19%. Speech-Language Pathologists held about 171,400 jobs in 2022 with a median salary of $84,140.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Speech-Language Pathologists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm (visited March 25, 2024).
Contact
Stephanie Bradley, Chair
Campbell Hall: 321D
Phone: (304) 336-8100
stephanie.bradley@westliberty.edu
Would you like to learn more about Speech-Language Pathology?
For further resources pertaining to communication sciences and disorders, please click here.
Donate
Make a gift to the Graduate Studies Program by clicking here!
Notice of Non-Discrimination
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is an equal opportunity department and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The department is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We promise to maintain a positive academic and clinical environment and will fully support the University’s mission which states, “West Liberty University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will provide a nurturing environment of diversity, inclusion, and equity in our community where everyone is respected, valued, included, treated fairly, and welcomed—regardless of one’s race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and/or socioeconomic status.” Students who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with WLU’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at officeofdei@westliberty.edu.
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