M.S. Education Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Gain the hands-on clinical experience to assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders for a licensed, high-demand career.
Expand Your Impact in
Speech-Language Pathology
Become a licensed speech-language pathologist through hands-on clinical training and supportive, expert-led instruction.
The Master of Science education program in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) at West Liberty University prepares students for professional practice working directly with individuals across the lifespan. Through a blend of classroom learning and real-world clinical experiences, students gain the skills needed to evaluate and treat speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
Degree Type: Master of Science
Total Credits: 56
Outcome: Eligibility for state licensure and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
Format: On-Campus and Remote
Program
Overview
The MS-SLP program prepares students for professional practice in a growing, high-impact healthcare and educational field. The program builds on preparation through advanced coursework and supervised clinical experiences aligned with national standards. Students develop the knowledge and clinical competencies needed to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders and pursue licensure and certification.
Students will work directly with individuals in a variety of settings, learning how to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders. From early clinical experiences through final externships, students will be supported by faculty who are licensed professionals committed to student success.
Who This
Program Is For
Future Speech-Language Pathologists
Students ready to pursue licensure and certification and begin a professional career in speech-language pathology.
Students Seeking Hands-On Clinical Experience
Individuals who want to work directly with patients and build real-world skills throughout their graduate education.
Compassionate Problem-Solvers
Students who are passionate about helping others communicate, connect, and improve their quality of life.
Career-Focused Graduate Students
Individuals seeking a clear, structured path to certification, licensure, and employment in a growing healthcare and educational field.
What
You’ll Learn
Students will develop the knowledge and clinical skills needed to confidently enter professional practice.
Assessment & Evaluation
- Evaluate speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan
- Use clinical tools and data to support identification of communication disorders
- Develop clinical impressions and recommendations based on patient needs
Treatment & Clinical Practice
- Design and implement evidence-based therapy plans
- Work directly with patients in supervised clinical settings
- Adapt treatment approaches for diverse populations
Professional Skills & Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams
- Develop clinical documentation and reporting skills
- Apply ethical standards and professional guidelines in practice
Evidence-Based Practice
- Use current research to guide clinical decisions
- Connect classroom learning to real-world patient care
- Develop as thoughtful, reflective clinicians
Curriculum
Overview
The MS-SLP curriculum is designed to support students’ progression from academic study to clinical practice through a balance of coursework and hands-on experiences.
Program Structure
Graduate Coursework (35 hours)
Advanced study of communication disorders, assessment, and intervention
Clinical Practicum (12 hours)
Supervised patient care experiences beginning early in the program
Externships (9 hours)
Full-time clinical placements in real-world settings such as schools, hospitals, and clinics
Capstone / Comprehensive Requirement(s)
A culminating experience demonstrating readiness for professional practice
Total Credits: 56
Required Prerequisites Include (per CFCC Standards):
In-Field Coursework:
- Phonetics/Phonology
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Acoustics/Speech and Hearing Science
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Language Science/Development
- Introduction to Audiology
General Studies Coursework:
- Physical Science
- Statistics
- Biology Science
- Social Behavioral Science
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 (Remote 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
Clinical
Education
Clinical experience is a central component of the program.
Students will gain hands-on experience working with patients in a variety of settings, building clinical skills and confidence throughout the program.
Clinical opportunities may include but are not limited to:
- On-campus Speech and Hearing Clinic
- Public schools
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Private practices
Students complete supervised clinical hours in alignment with national certification standards established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Career &
Outcomes
Speech-language pathology is a growing, high-impact field with opportunities to make a difference every day.
Where Graduates Work
- Schools (PreK–12)
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Rehabilitation centers
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Early intervention programs
- Private practice
Professional Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to pursue:
- State licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist
- The Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
Student Learning
Outcomes
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
Performance
Outcomes
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
Student
Outcome Data
| PROGRAM COMPLETION RATES | ||||
| Academic Year | # Completing On Time | # Completing Later Than Expected | # Not Completing | Percentage |
| 2025-2026 (Recent Year) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2024-2025 (1 Year Prior) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 85.71% |
| 2023-2024 (2 Years Prior) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 3-Year Average | 95.24% | |||
| PRAXIS EXAMINATION PASS RATES OF TEST-TAKERS | |||
| Academic Year | # Taking the Exam | # Passed Exam | % Passed Exam Rate |
| 2025-2026 (Recent Year) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| 2024-2025 (1 Year Prior) | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| 2023-2024 (2 Years Prior) | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| 3-Year Average | 100% | ||
Admission
Requirements
Admission to the MS-SLP program is competitive and designed to ensure students are prepared for the academic and clinical rigor of professional training.
To be admitted into the MS-SLP program, students must:
- Submit CSDCAS Application
- Official Transcripts Demonstrating a Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- 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
- A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen will be administered after acceptance into the program and at the applicant’s expense
- Note: Additional Requirements for International Student Applicants
Application Deadline: February 1
Applicants are reviewed through a departmental admissions committee selection process that considers academic performance, completion of prerequisite coursework, and overall readiness for the program. Qualified applicants may be ranked based on these criteria.
Advisors are available to help students plan prerequisites and prepare strong applications.
Cost, Aid &
Affordability
West Liberty University is committed to delivering a high-quality professional education that remains accessible and affordable.
Students may be eligible for:
- Federal and state financial aid
- Institutional scholarships
- Program-specific or need-based assistance
Financial aid counselors and academic advisors work closely with students to help them understand costs, explore funding options, and plan for their educational investment.
Accreditation
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.
Communication Sciences and Disorders students, faculty and staff members, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists, and/or the public can contact the CAA regarding program standards and regulations. The CAA may be contacted by writing: 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
Call for
Public Comment
The CAA is a nationally recognized accrediting agency. As part of the CAA’s recognition by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the agency is required to develop a method for allowing public input about the accreditation process and about graduate education programs prior to final decision by the CAA. Accordingly, individuals who wish to provide input about a program seeking candidacy (preaccreditation) or initial CAA accreditation or about a CAA-accredited program seeking reaccreditation may do so in two ways: (1) submitting written comments prior to the accreditation site visit in accordance with the procedures specified below or (2) attending and providing comments at a public meeting during the program’s scheduled site visit.
HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
Individuals who wish to provide input about a program seeking candidacy or initial accreditation or about a CAA-accredited program seeking continued accreditation may do so in two ways:
- Submit written comments prior to the accreditation site All comments are due in the Accreditation Office no later than three (3) business days before the first day of the scheduled site visit. In the case of the WLU MS SLP program, comments must be submitted no later than Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Comments received after this time will not be forwarded to the site visit team for consideration during the accreditation review, in accordance with the procedures specified in Chapter XII of the Accreditation Handbook. All written testimony—including comments faxed or submitted as e-mail attachments–must include the commenter’s name, address and telephone contact information and the commenter’s relationship to the program in order for Accreditation staff to verify the source of the testimony. All comments must be signed. Comments may be submitted to:
Accreditation Public Comment Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2200 Research Boulevard, #310 Rockville, MD 20850 accreditation@asha.org Fax: 301-296-8570
- Provide comments to the site visit team during the program’s scheduled site visit, such as during the public meeting.
All comments must:
- Relate to a program’s compliance with the current Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Education Programs in Speech-Language Pathology (Standards) in effect at the time comments are submitted,
and - Identify the specific program seeking candidacy, initial accreditation, or continued accreditation with the CAA
Comments that do not meet these requirements will not be considered, and the individual or group commenting will be notified.
The Standards for Accreditation and the CAA’s Public Comment policy and procedures are available in the Accreditation Handbook. These documents may also be obtained by sending a written request to the Accreditation Office.
For more information about the CAA’s call for public comments, please visit https://caa.asha.org/programs/call-for-public-comments/
Additional
Information
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 the student and/or clinic handbook, please request this from the Department Chair.
Steps to
Enrollment
Step 1: Apply to West Liberty University
Step 2: Submit your MS-SLP application via CSDCAS
Step 3: Complete prerequisite coursework (if needed)
Step 4: Prepare for clinical onboarding requirements
Admissions counselors and program advisors are available to support students throughout the enrollment process.
Become A
Hilltopper
West Liberty University is a place where you can pursue your dreams and prepare for the future. With more than 60 programs, a vibrant campus life, small classes, and an affordable cost, the quality education you’ll get at West Liberty is like no other.