Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Science

Mission  

The mission of the Maryville University Speech-Language Pathology Program is to prepare knowledgeable, competent, collaborative, and reflective Speech-Language Pathologists who exhibit academic and professional excellence, the desire to remain life-long learners and to educate the public about communication and swallowing disorders, and the commitment to serve all people with communication and swallowing disorders across the life span.

Graduate Degree Program Objectives

Goals for the graduate program are based upon expected student competencies as set forth by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Council on Academic Accreditation for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).  Upon graduation, students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of normal and disordered human communication (speech, language, hearing) and swallowing across the life span, and how disorders are distinct from cultural differences in the realm of communication

2. Synthesis of academic, clinical and research experiences to arrive at methods of preventing and treating communication and swallowing disorders across the life span

3. Ability to evaluate research, to apply the research process to novel projects, to understand the importance of research for both clinical procedures and the growth of the profession, and to apply current research to clinical experiences.

4. Comprehension of contemporary issues in speech-language pathology including professional practice, ASHA policies, certifications, licensure and specialty recognition.

5. Application of ethical conduct in academic, research and clinical endeavors

6. Emotional maturity and strong interpersonal skills necessary for a  career in clinical practice, paired with strong oral and written communication abilities and reflection as a practitioner

7. Supervised clinical experiences including evaluation and intervention, across cultures and ages with a wide variety of different disabilities in accordance with ASHA’s guidelines

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who help develop or restore delayed, disordered, or damaged communication and swallowing in people of all ages.  They assess, diagnose, and treat patients who are experiencing speech, expressive or receptive language, voice, cognitive-linguistic, and social-pragmatic impairments; ranging from babies, preschoolers, and school-aged children, to adolescents, young and middle aged adults, and the elderly in the geriatric population. They help people who have experienced strokes or brain injuries to regain their ability to speak, read, write, think clearly, and swallow. They work with children who have Autism, children and adults who stutter, patients who struggle with production of speech sounds, and patients with expressive or receptive language delays or disorders. SLPs provide swallowing therapy to help patients eat and drink safely and to prevent them from developing aspiration pneumonia.

SLPs are also involved in extensive patient and family education, such as teaching families the strategies they need to help toddlers communicate or helping an adult family member learn to use an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device towards the end of a progressive neurological disease, when normal spoken communication is no longer possible.

Since the client and patient population targeted by SLPs is so diverse, the possible professional workplace settings are equally varied. Common work environments range from medical settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and clinics, to public or private schools and early childhood settings.

Graduate Admission Requirements for MS in Speech-Language Pathology

 General Instructions for all Speech-Language graduate applicants
1.  Application for admission, either on-line or paper version.
2.  Non-refundable application processing fee of US $40 (for paper version of application only – no fee for on line version).
3.  Official transcripts of all college and university courses completed, sent directly to Maryville University by the registrar of each institution attended. Students who have attended institutions outside the United States should provide comparably certified and evaluated documents (use of services such as World Education Services –WES – is highly recommended – see:  http://www.wes.org for additional information).
4.  A bachelor’s degree for master’s level programs, or master’s degree for doctoral programs, from a regionally accredited institution.  Please see Instruction Pages for specific program requirements.
5.  Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
6.  Three letters of recommendation.  Use references who know your professional qualifications and academic readiness for graduate study.  Please use the reference forms located under Downloadable Forms, with portions to be completed by both you and your references.  Forms should be sent directly to Maryville University from your references.
8.  Resume or Curriculum Vitae
9.  International students must submit proof of English proficiency. The TOEFL or IELTS exam is the most common test of English proficiency. Conditional admission is not available for graduate applicants. Please see the International Admissions website for more details regarding Maryville’s English proficiency requirements.
10. Please note that no edits or additions can be made to the application once it has been submitted. However, you can submit additional documentation electronically by emailing gradprograms@maryville.edu or by mailing them to:

                   Maryville University St. Louis
                   Graduate Admissions
                   650 Maryville University Dr.
                   St. Louis, MO 63141

Additional Requirements for MS in Speech-Language Pathology

Degree:  B.S. or B.A. in Communication Science and Disorders, Communication Disorders, Speech Pathology OR undergraduate degree in other area plus completion of the essential coursework in Communication Science and Disorders equivalent to the Maryville University courses below:

• CMSD 100 Introduction to Communication Disorders
• CMSD 210 Phonetics
• CMSD 220 Speech and Hearing Science
• CMSD 310 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
• CMSD 315 Clinical Observation
• CMSD 330 Nature and Foundations of Language
• CMSD 350 Speech Development and Disorders: Articulation and Phonology
• CMSD 360 Language Development and Disorders
• CMSD 410 Clinical Methods and Management
• CMSD 440 Audiology
• CMSD 480 Neurological basses of Communication Disorders
• CMSD 470 Aural Rehabilitation
• CMSD 485 Advanced Speech Pathology

Demonstrated knowledge, likely through undergraduate coursework, is required for each of the following: biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, social/behavioral sciences

Essay:    Please provide a double-spaced, typed statement (maximum 500 words) that expresses why you wish to enter the graduate program in speech-language pathology at Maryville and/or the profession of speech-language pathology.

Test Scores

GRE  Official score for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), including Verbal, Analytical, and Writing components

TOEFL  A combined score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL is acceptable with minimum sub-scores of the following: speaking sub score of 27, writing sub-score of 23, reading sub-score of 23, and listening sub-score of 27, for students whom English is a second language. A TOEFL paper-based score of 603 with sub-scores of speaking 62, writing 60, reading 57, and listening 62 is acceptable. An IELTS score of 7.0 or higher is also acceptable.

As Clinical Components are an Essential Part of the Graduate Curriculum, the Following Requirement are also Necessary for Enrollment following Admission to the Program:

•   Completed physical examinations annually
•    Immunity to Measles/Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella, and Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap), Polio, Varicella or Positive Varicella Titer and Hepatitis B (a Hepatitis B declination statement is acceptable in lieu of immunization)
•    TB-Tuberculin PPD test (documented 2-step initially, then annual)
•    annual flu vaccine
•    CPR and First Aid Certification
•    Criminal background checks and urine drug screening records
•    Verification of health insurance to cover injuries that students may incur while engaged in the Educational Program at the Clinical Center
•    Fitting for a respiratory isolation device (i.e. N95 mask), if required by Clinical Center
•    Nicotine screening, if required by Clinical Center
•   Signed release of information forms to allow Criminal Record Background Check, Urine Drug Screen, health and other pertinent data to be provided to the Clinical Education Program and to the Clinical Center facilities where the student completes clinical experiences.

Comprehensive Examination

Students will be required to enroll in SPLP 650 Comprehensive Examination Preparation. This course is specifically designed to prepare the graduate student for the program’s comprehensive examination and the national PRAXIS examination necessary for becoming certified speech-language pathologists. Practice may include case studies, practice tests, and learning methods of studying.

Deadline for applications:  February 1st