Speech-Language Pathology, M.A.

Program Description

Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and provide treatment for communication and swallowing functions and disorders. These services are provided to the following individuals:

across the entire age span from birth through adulthood;
from multiple language, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and
who may have multiple disabilities.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Speech-Language Pathology provides an academic and clinical foundation for professionals providing services to children and adults with communication impairments. It qualifies graduates for certification and licensure in the profession of speech-language pathology.

The mission of the Master of Arts program in Speech-Language Pathology is to provide best-practice education for individuals seeking academic and clinical preparation for the professional practice degree in speech-language pathology.

Program Defined

Speech-language pathologists hold either a master's or doctoral degree, the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and where applicable, state licensure. They manage and supervise speech-language pathology programs, counsel individuals about normal and disordered communication, provide preventative, consultative, and referral services, and facilitate the development and maintenance of human communication and swallowing.

Cost

Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.

Accreditation

The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential), at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850
800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology awarded the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Speech-Language Pathology Program accreditation for eight years beginning March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2025.

Admissions Procedure

Complete an application through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS);
As part of the application process through CSDCAS, you will complete an online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent;
Three evaluations (also called Letters of Recommendation) are required and should communicate the abilities of the applicant’s success in graduate school. This will be submitted through CSDCAS;
Complete an online application through the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Office of Admissions and Records;
Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended directly to CSDCAS:
1. Transcripts sent directly to the OUHS Admissions and Records will not be considered for the application as they must be assessed by CSDCAS
2. If previous coursework is from colleges or universities outside of the US, have all transcripts/mark sheets processed through World Education Services (WES);
Selection
1. Once an application is complete, including the CSDCAS application, Kira Talent Assessment, Official Transcripts, and OUHS Application, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning October 1st.
  1. Decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled, which may continue through Summer 2025.
  2. Admitted applicants will be notified via an electronic letter sent by OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records. Waitlisted or Denied students will be notified via CSDCAS of their status.
  3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have provided a correct email address in both CSDCAS and the OU application systems and be monitoring their email for updates.
Admitted applicants must accept their position according to the timeline communicated on their electronic letter received through OU Health Sciences Admissions and Records, or the position will be considered declined. If admitted, applicants must accept their position by paying a non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward tuition and fees during the first term.
Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation the week before the start of their first semester beginning in August 2025 as well as meet all university compliance and eligibility requirements. Admission is conditional based on meeting all requirements and the college reserves the right to rescind admission offers up until the start of the first week of school.

Curriculum

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Fall Semester		Hours
CSD 5313	Phonological Disorders	3
CSD 5143	Autism Spectrum Disorders	3
CSD 5483	Language Assessment and Remediation in the Preschool Population	3
CSD 5463	Fluency ¹	3
CSD 5510	Practicum in Communication Disorders	1
CSD 5530	Seminar in Communication Disorders	2
	Hours	15
Spring Semester
CSD 5133	Research Foundations in Communication Disorders	3
CSD 5433	Voice Disorders ²	3
CSD 5572	Dysphagia	2
CSD 5453	Adult Neurolinguistic Disorders	3
CSD 5473	Language Assessment and Remediation in School-Age and Adolescent Population	3
CSD 5510	Practicum in Communication Disorders	1
	Hours	15
Summer Semester
CSD 5523	Diagnostic and Instructional Procedures in Speech Language Pathology	3
CSD 5403	Orofacial Anomalies	3
CSD 5510	Practicum in Communication Disorders	1
CSD 5530	Seminar in Communication Disorders	1
	Hours	8
Year 2
Fall Semester
CSD 5510	Practicum in Communication Disorders	6
CSD 5530	Seminar in Communication Disorders	1
CSD 5553	Communication Disorders with Right Hemisphere Impairment/Traumatic Brain Injury	3
	Hours	10
Spring Semester
CSD 5423	Neuropathologies of Speech	3
CSD 5510	Practicum in Communication Disorders	6
CSD 5530	Seminar in Communication Disorders	1
	Hours	10
	Total Hours	58

¹: If a student has not had Fluency, they will take it this semester.
²: If a student has not had Neuro Bases, they will take it this semester and take Voice Disorders in the last semester of coursework.

Students who do not have a CSD background must complete an additional 28 hours of coursework. Click here to view courses.

Lateral Entry

Lateral Entry: for those with an undergraduate degree in a field other than speech/hearing.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
CSD 5113	Phonetics	3
CSD 5173	Foundations of Speech & Language Development	3
CSD 5183	Foundations of Audiology	3
CSD 5193	Language Disorders in the Exceptional Child	3
CSD 5990	Special Studies in Communication Disorders	1
CSD 5153	Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanisms	3
CSD 5273	Diagnosis and Rehabilitation in Audiology	3
CSD 5323	Introduction to Articulation Disorders	3
CSD 5333	Instructional Procedures in Communication Disorders	3
CSD 5363	Neural Bases of Communication	3

Prerequisites

Meet the following degree requirements:
1. Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program.
  1. If the bachelor’s degree is in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) then admitted students will follow a five-semester regular entry curriculum;
  2. If the bachelor’s degree is not in CSD, admitted students will follow a seven-semester lateral entry curriculum;
AND meet the following GPA requirements:
1. At minimum, earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the last 60 hours of coursework applied to the degree OR at minimum, earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on graded graduate coursework of 12 or more hours;
2. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
3. Courses taken during the spring 2020 semester may have a “P” for passing or “S” for satisfactory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please note that the required minimum GPA still applies;
4. Be in good standing with the college or university last or currently attending;
5. While a 3.0 is the minimum eligibility requirement, please review our admission statistics from the previous year to ensure that you are a competitive applicant.
There are no required pre-requisite courses, however, it is recommended that applicants complete coursework in Biology, Physics or Chemistry, Behavioral or Social Science, and Statistics before beginning the curriculum or during the first year of the professional degree program. These courses support the successful completion of gradate coursework and are required for national certification as a speech-language pathologist.
1. If your prior courses are from a college or university other than the University of Oklahoma, please refer to the Transfer Equivalency Database to find out if your courses transfer.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is no longer required as part of the application process.
If English is a second language, submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Applicants must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) within two years prior to application. The CSDCAS TOEFL Designated Institution Code for the SLP program at OUHS is C122. The department may waive TOEFL scores if the applicant provides evidence of graduation from a U.S. High School or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Click here to review additional information regarding the TOEFL and TOEFL waiver.