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.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the MA SLP program, applicants must have met the following requirements:
- Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program
- If the bachelor’s degree is in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) then admitted students will follow a five-semester regular entry curriculum;
- If the bachelor’s degree is not in CSD, admitted students will follow a seven-semester lateral entry curriculum;
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework applied to a degree OR a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in graded graduate coursework of 12 or more hours. Note that the university does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs
Applicants to the MA SLP program will need to complete an application through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) and the OU Health Campus to be considered.
If after reviewing the qualifications for the program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact ahinfo@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.
Application Procedure
- Complete an application through the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS);
- As part of the CSDCAS application, complete an online asynchronous interview/assessment through Kira Talent;
- Complete the online OU Health application;
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October for applicants who have completed the above steps, with initial decisions anticipated to be communicated within 60 days of completing the application. Initial decisions may include admitted, waitlisted, or denied. We do not publish our waitlist and will continue to admit students until the class is filled.
Curriculum
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
| Fall Semester |
| 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 |
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
There are no required prerequisite 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.