M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
Admission Requirements
For admission to the M.S. degree program in Speech-Language Pathology the applicant must:
- Have an earned Baccalaureate degree with a major in communication sciences and disorders, or a Baccalaureate degree in any major with equivalent Post-Baccalaureate coursework in communication sciences and disorders.
- Possess a 3.0 or higher GPA . The method of calculating an Admission GPA is based on the last 60± semester undergraduate credits (90± quarter credits) for coursework taken during the last two years of undergraduate training. Post-Baccalaureate coursework in communication sciences and disorders will be considered in computing GPA.
- Apply through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login.
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
- Submit video essay.
- Submit resumé.
- Apply to, and meet all criteria for, admission to Graduate School https://www.isu.edu/apply/graduate/.
International Students
Applicants, whose first language is not English, need to meet the following TOEFL requirements for Classified admission:
- Internet -based test (iBT): a total score of 80 with a score of at least 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
- Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of at least 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
- Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of at least 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test or a score of 84 on the MTELP, or a score of 6.0 on the IELTS. Once admitted, non-native English-speaking students must also receive a passing score on a test of spoken English to participate in clinic practicum.
*We do not accept IEI nor ELS in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS.
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CSD 6612 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 |
| CSD 6601 | Remote Clinical Practicum Speech-Language (and/or CSD 6602 and CSD 6604) | 11 |
| CSD 6606 | Externship in Speech Language Pathology | 7 |
| CSD 6614 | School-age and Adolescent Language Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6616 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 3 |
| CSD 6620 | Early Language Development and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6622 | Speech Sound Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 6624 | Disorders of Swallowing | 3 |
| CSD 6629 | Neuropathologies of Speech | 3 |
| CSD 6630 | Fluency Disorders in Children and Adults | 2 |
| CSD 6632 | Craniofacial Disorders and Pediatric Feeding | 2 |
| CSD 6634 | Voice Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 6639 | Introduction to Neurogenic Disorders of Language and Cognition | 3 |
| CSD 6640 | Advanced Neurogenic Language Disorders and Cognition | 2 |
| CSD 6608 | Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment in Speech-Language Pathology 1 | 2 |
| CSD 6609 | Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment in Speech-Language Pathology 2 | 1 |
| CSD 6657 | Clinical Methods In Healthcare Settings | 1 |
| CSD 6642 | Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 |
| CSD 6656 | Clinical Methods in Educational Settings | 1 |
| CSD 6658 | Clinical Methods in Professional Practice | 1 |
| CSD 6615 | Advanced Literacy and Written Language Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 6618 | Neurodiversity and Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 6638 | Hearing for Speech-Language Pathologists | 1 |
| CSD 6613 | Critical Consumers of Evidence-Based Practice | 1 |
| Thesis | ||
| CSD 6650 | Thesis | 4 |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
Entry into the graduate curriculum in Speech-Language Pathology assumes an adequate undergraduate background. If deficiencies are identified, such as a missing foundational course, students may be required to complete the course. Additionally, students must complete undergraduate or graduate coursework in, if not previously completed in the following areas:
- Statistics
- Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology
- Physics or Chemistry
- Biology
Students must have completed the corresponding ISU courses or their equivalents at another institution, or provide documentation (e.g., course syllabi) demonstrating that the essential content was covered in prior coursework.
Students in the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology must have completed the following ISU courses or their equivalents from another institution with sufficient mastery to apply the foundational knowledge in advanced graduate coursework. Students may provide evidence from course syllabi that the basic information was covered in their undergraduate program, along with transcript documentation of adequate academic performance.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CSD 3310 | Speech Science: The Acoustical Nature of Sound and Speech | 3 |
| CSD 3321 | Clinical Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| CSD 3325 | Speech Sound Development and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 3325L | Speech Sound Development and Disorders Lab | 1 |
| CSD 3330 | Language Science | 3 |
| CSD 3335 | Language Development and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 3350 | Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Swallowing Mechanisms | 3 |
| CSD 3350L | Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Swallowing Mechanisms Lab | 1 |
| CSD 4405 | Neuroscience for Communication Disorders | 3 |
| At least three credits of one of the following audiology courses or their equivalent: | ||
| CSD 4445 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| CSD 4460 | Educational Audiology | 3 |
| CSD 3341 | Audiometry and Hearing Science | 3 |
General Requirements
All Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology students must pass written and oral comprehensive assessments through one of two pathways. Students may fulfill these requirements by successfully completing basic and specialized Clinical Competency-Based Assessments across multiple content areas and completing a Professional Practice Portfolio. All Competency-Based Assessments are conducted internally by the speech-language pathology program faculty. Alternatively, students may complete basic Clinical Competency-Based Assessments across multiple content areas, also conducted internally by the speech-language pathology program faculty, and successfully complete a master's thesis with an oral thesis defense. For thesis students, the master's thesis defense requires a Graduate Faculty Representative and follows ISU Graduate School policies for thesis and dissertation. Both tracks ensure students demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and clinical competency required for professional practice.
In addition to taking 11 credits of clinical practicum (CSD 6602/6601 or CSD 6604) in the department, all graduate students must complete a 7 credit, minimum eight-week, full-time externship (CSD 6606) with an ASHA certified SLP with at least two years of experience beyond Clinical Fellowship. Graduate students deemed by the faculty not to have made satisfactory progress in the acquisition of clinical skills may be required to enroll for further credits in clinical practicum in addition to the minimum required of all students.
According to University regulations, no student may be granted a graduate degree who does not have a 3.0 grade point average upon completion of all academic and clinical work (https://coursecat.isu.edu/graduate/). In addition, the SLP Program will follow the Graduate School’s policies of pending dismissal and dismissal (http://coursecat.isu.edu/graduate/generalinfoandpolicies/appealsanddismissals/) from the graduate program for any student who has earned grades of “C+” or lower in two or more courses, or if that student’s overall GPA falls below 3.0 after completion of 12 or more credits of coursework (including clinical practice). Grades for one or more credits of clinical practicum are given equal consideration with grades obtained from academic courses.
Students that still need to complete ASHA required undergraduate courses (not included on the SLP Program of Study) to obtain certification upon completion of the clinical fellowship (i.e., physical science, social science, biological science, or statistic courses) are encouraged to complete these courses during their graduate program and must earn a C- or above in these courses (these grades will not be considered for dismissal or impact the requisite 3.0+ GPA). Students accepted to the graduate program must receive a B- or above in all program prerequisite undergraduate courses prior to or during the graduate program. Students may not take ASHA required courses while completing their externship during their final semester in the program.
In individual cases, a more stringent policy of minimum allowable grades may be applied, as in the case of students admitted with performance requirements. If a student’s graduate education is dismissed for reasons of poor academic performance, they may reapply for admission to the Graduate School and a different program no sooner than one full semester following the semester of the termination. Readmission to the terminated program is not an option. Reapplication to the Graduate School would be to seek admission to another graduate level program within Idaho State University.