Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

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

Admission requirements are listed on the Graduate Admissions under Speech Language Pathology .

Deadline for applications:  February 1st

Requirements for the Bridge Program in Speech-Language Pathology

Degree:  B.S. or B.A. in an undergraduate degree other than Communication Disorders.  Students must complete the following courses (or their equivalent) which will lead to an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders.

• CMSD 210 Phonetics
• CMSD 220 Speech and Hearing Science
• CMSD 310 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
• CMSD 330 Language and Speech Acquisition
• CMSD 350 Speech Development and Disorders
• CMSD 360 Language Development and Disorders
• CMSD 410 Clinical Methods and Management
• CMSD 440 Audiology
• CMSD 480, Neurological Bases of Communication Disorders
• 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

Comprehensive Assessment

Students will be provided information in graduate courses to prepare them for the program’s comprehensive assessment and the national PRAXIS examination necessary for becoming certified speech-language pathologists. Practice may include case studies, practice tests, and learning methods of studying.