In addition to the WSU Graduate School's general admission requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:

A. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited (or its equivalent) college or university.

B. Candidates for admission are required to submit a completed application, which is available online, by February 1. Candidates must also print a copy of the Speech-Language Pathology Application Cover Sheet and mail this to the Graduate Admissions Office. Requirements and procedures for admission to graduate studies are specified on the application form. The applicant must comply with these requirements and procedures. Submission of 2 letters of recommendation is required. Submission of a 3rd letter is optional, and all 3 may be submitted online.

C. Candidates must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate programs that were part of the bachelor’s degree and all programs where any prerequisite courses were taken, including Worcester State University. Applicants should have official transcripts sent to themselves, and should mail these official transcripts, along with Speech-Language Pathology Application Cover Sheet, to the Graduate Admissions Office.

D. Candidates applying for admission must have taken or currently be enrolled in the following college-level prerequisite courses at the time of application for the master’s degree program:

• 18 credit hours in basic human communication processes and audiology that includes: anatomy of the speech & hearing mechanism, phonetics, normal development of speech and language, speech science, hearing science, and audiology. *

* The majority (>50%) of coursework in basic human communication processes and audiology must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by May 31. These courses must have been complete within the past 7 years.

• 3 credit hours in biological sciences** Biological Science must be human and/or animal biology.
• 3 credit hours in human neuroanatomy** Appropriate course titles include, but are not limited to, Human Neuroanatomy, Human Neuroscience, Physiological Psychology. A neuroanatomy / neuroscience course within a communication sciences and disorders department is acceptable.
• 3 credit hours in physical science** Physical Science may be either physics or chemistry. Courses covering physics and/or chemistry but not explicitly named as such may be used to fulfill the physical science requirement subject to graduate coordinator approval.
• 3 credit hours in mathematics**
• 3 credit hours in statistics**
• 6 credit hours in the behavioral and/or social sciences** (a course in Developmental Psychology / Child Growth and Development must be included)

** 12 of the required 21 credits must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by August 31. These courses must have been completed within the past 15 years.

Students completing prerequisites at the time of application must provide evidence of enrollment. Prerequisites may be taken at WSU in the evening as a non-matriculated student or as a day student. Please contact the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education for enrollment information. Day students must complete an “undergraduate non-degree” application. Please contact the undergraduate Admissions Office for additional details at 508-929-8040.

E. The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is NOT required for applications submitted for 2021 acceptance. However, results of the TOEFL are still required (if the student’s academic background is not in English).

F. As noted above, applicants must submit a completed copy of the Speech Language Pathology Application Cover Sheet.

G. If accepted into the program, you must be available from mid-May through mid-June for meetings and introductory course.

H. Please see the Graduate Catalog for information pertaining to the graduate calendar, grading policy, fees, non-discrimination policy, etc.

For more information regarding prerequisites and the MS-SLP program, please contact Professor Curro at kcurro@worcester.edu. For questions regarding the electronic application or to confirm receipt of materials, please contact Graduate Admissions, gradadmissions@worcester.edu.

1. The minimum requirement for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology is fifty-five (55) semester hours of credit.
2. A maximum of six (6) graduate credits of “B” or above taken within two (2) years of the term of admission, at a CAA accredited institution, may be accepted toward the graduate degree.
3. Courses are taught in the afternoon, late afternoon and evening. A maximum load is four courses per semester and takes at least two full years including summers to complete. A three course per semester load takes two and one-half years to complete. A two course per semester program would take at least three and one-half years. A grade point average of 3.0 is required to remain in the program and to earn the degree. Courses with a grade of C+ or below must be repeated.
4. All work for the degree must be completed within a period of six years.
5. The Dean of Graduate Studies reserves the right to periodically review the performance of graduate students in accordance with the academic standards of the Graduate Program and of Worcester State University.

There are 3 tracks to the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program. Upon acceptance, students must select one of the following tracks. Length of each program is included in parenthesis. Note that length of time includes summers.

• Accelerated (6 semesters)
• Full-Time (8 semesters)
• Part-Time (9 semesters)

Course Requirements

• CD 901 Introduction to Graduate and Clinical Skills (summer) 2 credits
• CD 920 Speech Sound Production Disorders and Differences (fall) 3 credits
• CD 921 Language Disorders in Children (fall) 3 credits
• CD 922 Language Disorders in Adults (spring) 3 credits
• CD 923 Fluency Disorders (fall) 3 credits
• CD 924 Voice Disorders (summer) 3 credits
• CD 925 Motor Speech Disorders (fall) 3 credits
• CD 926 Reading and Writing Disabilities (summer) 2 credits
• CD 928 Aural Rehabilitation (spring) 3 credits
• CD 929 Dysphagia (spring) 3 credits
• CD 937 Counseling (summer) 2 credits
• CD 940 Evaluation & Diagnosis in Speech-Language Pathology (spring) 3 credits
• CD 946 Organization of S/L Programs in Schools (summer) 1 credit
• CD 947 Augmentative/Alternative Communication (summer) 1 credit
• CD 950 Cognitive Aspects of Communication (fall) 3 credits
• CD 980 Research in Communication Sciences & Disorders (spring) 3 credits
• CD 987 Selected Topics in Communication Sciences & Disorders – take 2 topics for 1 credit each (summer or spring) 2 credits
• CD 990 Speech-Language-Hearing Practicum: College Clinic (spring, summer, fall): (A minimum of 2 semesters is required in the WSU Speech-Language- Hearing Clinic) 3 credits each time
• CD 991 Speech-Language-Hearing Practicum: Externship. (A minimum of 2 semesters is required in externships) 3 credits each time
• CD 997 Thesis Research in Communication Disorders (optional) 3 credits

Clinical Clock Hours

In addition to academic coursework, students are required to complete 25 hours of observation of clinical work and 375 live hours of participation in diagnostic/therapeutic work in three distinctly different clinical settings. Observation hours and 50 of the live hours may be transferred from the undergraduate level. HIPAA training and certification for our students is provided by HIPAA EXAMS, Inc.

Written Comprehensive Examination

Students will be expected to submit a passing score from the NESPA examination in Speech-Language Pathology and complete a departmental comprehensive examination.

Graduate students are strongly encouraged to join the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, they may join the WSU chapter of National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Percentage of our graduate students who passed the Praxis examination in Speech-Language Pathology:

Praxis

Employment

Program Completion

Note: Students choose their program of study, which can take 2 to 3.5 years to complete.

The strategic plan for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program incorporates the WSU strategic plan. It comprises goals to help prepare students as they enter the field of speech-language pathology as well as connect their services with the community. Download the plan.

Academic Goals

In accordance with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s 2014 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, students in the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology will:

• Complete a comprehensive graduate training program with a strong theoretical and scientific base with a diversified practicum experience in the areas of:
  • Articulation
  • Fluency
  • Voice and resonance
  • Receptive and expressive language
  • Hearing
  • Swallowing
  • Cognitive aspects of communication
  • Social aspects of communication
  • Augmentative and alternative communication modalities
• Demonstrate critical thinking
• Demonstrate ethical practice
• Demonstrate professional writing and speaking skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of research and ability to integrate research processes into evidence-based practice
• Observe, evaluate/diagnose, and treat a variety of clients in regard to age, disorder, severity level, and linguistic/cultural background
• Develop interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with colleagues, clients, clients’ families, and the general public
• Provide clinical services, including prevention, assessment, and intervention of communication disorders and differences, for the community
• Be eligible for ASHA certification, Massachusetts state licensure, and Massachusetts DESE Licensure
• Demonstrate ability to become lifelong learners to continue to enhance professional knowledge and skills 

To successfully complete the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) Program at Worcester State University (WSU), graduate students must be able to participate fully in academic and clinical work. In each of these areas, they must consistently demonstrate skills. As a result, the MS-SLP Program has created technical standards in the areas of Communication, Physical and Motor, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral/Social to meet these requirements. Failure to demonstrate these skills may lead to remediation procedures or dismissal from the Program.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department is committed to equal access for all qualified program applicants. Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). WSU will provide students with documented disabilities reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and academic adjustments. To provide safe and effective patient care, all students must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrate aptitude, abilities, and skills in four areas: Communication, Physical and Motor, Cognitive, and Emotional/Behavioral/Social.

Technical Standards

Communication

• Communicate verbally in English proficiently. Speech must be easily understood by clients, caregivers, and other professionals. Speech sound production, voice/resonance, fluency, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics must be proficient when communicating and modeling. Expressive language must be intelligible, concise, and organized.
• Communicate professionally, effectively, sensitively, efficiently, and appropriately with individuals and groups.
• Write professionally to complete academic assignments as well as clinical documentation, both paper/pencil and electronic.
• Hear sufficiently to perceive the speech-language of clients and evaluate its accuracy.
• Comprehend English to follow directions and understand technical, procedural, and professional materials.
• Read to obtain academic information and provide care to clients.
• Observe clients to describe structure and function of mechanisms involved in speaking and swallowing; note changes in mood, posture and activity; and perceive nonverbal communication including gestures, facial expressions, and body language.
• Modify communication style to meet the communication needs of clients, caregivers, and other persons served.

Physical and Motor

• Manipulate assessment and intervention materials and equipment.
• Access transportation to academic and clinical placements.
• Perform oral mechanism examinations and oral manipulations as needed safely and reliably.
• Access technology for clinical and academic requirements.
• Sustain the necessary physical activity level required in academic and clinical activities.
• Perceive visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli adequately for academic and clinical purposes.

Cognitive

• Retain, assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and solve problems.
• Complete multiple tasks accurately, thoroughly, and within time frame.
• Identify limits of one’s knowledge and skills.
• Use appropriate judgement (e.g., protect client confidentiality, recognize dangerous/hazardous situations, and proceed safely to minimize dangerous/hazardous situations) and adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics and other regulatory standards.
• Comprehend text, numbers, graphs, anatomical structures, physiology, pathology, and use of equipment.
• Possess adequate executive functioning skills for academic and clinical placements.
• Independently plan to and evaluate communication, then formulate an evidenced based treatment plan.

Emotional, Behavioral, and Social

• Possess adequate emotional maturity/awareness/skills for academic and clinical placements.
• Demonstrate a willingness and ability to receive and integrate feedback.
• Show respect to all clients regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or parental status, or veteran status.
• Demonstrate emotional health necessary to apply knowledge effectively and exercise appropriate judgement.

While WSU makes every effort to work with students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, WSU is not required to provide accommodations, aids, or adjustments that fundamentally alter or waive essential program requirements.

If you have any questions about the accommodations process at WSU, you can contact Student Accessibility Services at 508-929-8733.

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2016). Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology [Scope of Practice]. Available from https://www.asha.org/policy

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. General Information about ASHA Certification (https://www.asha.org/certification/AboutCertificationGenInfo/). Retrieved January 2019.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2016). Code of Ethics [Ethics]. Available from https://www.asha.org/policy

Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Sargent College. Technical Standards and Reasonable Accommodations. https://www.bu.edu/sargent/academics/departments-programs/physical-therapy-athletic-training/master-of-science-in-athletic-training/technical-standards-and-reasonable-accommodations/

Massachusetts Board of Registration (retrieved January 2019). Statutes and regulations (Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology). https://www.mass.gov/lists/statutes-and-regulations-speech-language-pathology-and-audiology#rules-and-regulations-governing-speech-language-pathologists-and-audiologists-

Nova Southeastern University Technical Standards for Students Department of Speech-Language Pathology Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences Health Professions Division. https://healthsciences.nova.edu/slp/forms/technical-standards-dslp.pdf

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport Speech-Language Pathology Program Technical Standards. http://www.lsuhscshreveport.edu/Assets/uploads/LSUHealthShreveport/Documents/Allied-Health/SLP/SLP%20Tech%20Standards.pdf

University of Arizona 2015 Clinical SLP Technical Standards. http://slhs.arizona.edu/sites/slhs/files/2015-2016_ms_cactus_book.pdf

University of Pittsburgh 2017 Technical Standards Clinical Program in Speech-Language Pathology (MA/MS-SLP). https://www.shrs.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/2017%20SLP%20Technical%20Standards.pdf