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 64 credit hour program which is composed of 43 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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. To ensure a strong foundation of evidence-based practice including research, client and caregiver considerations, and clinical experience
  5. 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

Curriculum

Fall Year 1

SLP 501 Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology
SLP 503 Clinical Speech Anatomy, Physiology, and Motor Control
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 511 Interprofessional Education
SLP 512 Professional Writing in Research for the Speech-Language Pathologist
SLP 542 Advanced Clinical Seminar I
SLP 552 Advanced Clinical Practicum I

Fall Year 2

SLP 515 Augmentative and Alternative Communication
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 64 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.

Call for Public Comment

April 17, 2024 from 12:00 – 12:30 pm on WLU’s campus – Campbell Hall Room 303

Download Flyer

Requirements of accreditation are:

E. 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:

  1. Submit written comments prior to the accreditation site visit. 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 April 12, 2024. 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 by email (accreditation@asha.org), fax (301-296-8570), or mailed to Accreditation Public Comment, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850. 
  2. 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
  • Identify the specific program seeking candidacy, initial accreditation, or continued accreditation with the CAA
  • All written testimony—including comments faxed or submitted as email attachments—must include the commenter’s name, address, 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 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/

Call for Public Comment

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Your Future as a Speech-Language Pathologist

Percent Change in Employment 2030

Speech-Language PathologistsSpeech-Language Pathologists29%

Diagnosing/Treating PractitionersDiagnosing/Treating Practitioners12%

All OccupationsAll Occupations8%

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm#tab-6

Ranked # 3 in healthcare jobs, the employment opportunity for Speech-Language Pathologists is predicted to be one of the fastest growing occupations. From 2021 to 2031, the projected growth for Speech-Language Pathologists is 21%. Speech-Language Pathologists held about 158,800 jobs in 2021 with a median salary of $79,060.

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 November 20, 2022).

Contact

Stephanie Bradley, Chair
Campbell Hall: 321D
Phone: (304) 336-8100
stephanie.bradley@westliberty.edu

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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.