Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.)

Taking these classes does not guarantee acceptance into the ESU Communication Sciences & Disorders Master's Degree program.

• Prerequisite classes can be completed in one academic year
• Non ESU students may register as non ESU students
• Students currently enrolled at ESU may register through the ESU portal
• Any questions should be directed to Dr. Rachel Wolf, rewolf@esu.edu
• To apply as a non-degree student, send email request to Office of Admissions, admission@esu.edu

Undergraduate preparation to include the following prerequisites:

1. Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Disorders courses:
   1. Introduction to Communication Disorders
   2. Speech and Language Development
   3. Phonetics
   4. Introduction to Audiology
   5. Speech Science
   6. Advanced Speech & Language Disorders (or equivilent)
2. Other undergraduate courses:
   1. Child development or developmental psychology
   2. Statistics
   3. College level math course (other than statistics)
   4. English composition/writing
   5. Natural sciences (6 credits), one must be biology, the other may be chemistry or physics
   6. Behavioral sciences (6 credits)
3. Observation hours: Students need 25 observation hours that can be obtained at a variety of facilities, such as: schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals, and private practice. The prospective student must observe ASHA certified SLPs. Students should consult the department chair about the details of this requirement. These hours must be completed prior to beginning any graduate program in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders.

Prospective students who do not have the above undergraduate courses or their equivalents may choose to complete them at any accredited university. It should be noted that not all applicants who meet the above admission requirements will be accepted into the program due to limitations in the number of student seats available at the time of acceptance.

Academic Coursework (prerequisite courses may be necessary for those without an undergraduate speech pathology degree)

Clinical Practicum and Externship

Clinical Practicum at ESU Speech and Hearing Center: Students will be enrolled in SPPA 550, Advanced Clinical Practicum, (in the ESU Speech and Hearing Center) for three semesters, typically during their second through fourth semesters includes a summer). Student clinicians work with clinical supervisors to set a schedule for management of clients in the clinic. Clinical education is individualized to the needs of the student clinicians.

Clinical Externship (off campus): All students will complete two full time semester of SPPA 586, Advanced Clinical Externship, at two different off-campus sites, typically in the last semesters of enrollment. A variety of clinical externship sites are available off-campus; these are arranged by the departmental externship coordinator. Students may suggest off campus externship sites at which they would like to work, but all practicum sites must be arranged and administered through the department.

Each student will be required to meet the clinical education requirements for the ASHA CCC-SLP.

The ASHA CCC-SLP clinical education requirements may be met through a combination of undergraduate and clinical practicum work. Students who wish to receive credit for undergraduate clinical practicum must provide the graduate coordinator with adequate documentation of the undergraduate practicum work. Students must complete 25 hours of clinical observations, and 375 hours of clinical management practicum. At least 325 of the minimum 375 clinical practicum hours must be acquired at the graduate level (while a graduate student in the program).

Portfolio
Students are required to prepare a portfolio of learning outcomes for faculty review during their last semester of enrollment.

Students are accepted into the graduate program as either Full Time or Part Time students.

• The only distinction between the two is that part time students enroll in fewer credits per semester than full time students, usually due to their other commitments.
• Otherwise, the two groups are the same. The admission standards, degree requirements, and all academic policies and regulations are the same.
• Full Time students are expected to complete 4 academic semesters and two summer terms (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring).
• Part Time students will generally take longer to complete the degree, but are expected to make regular and consistent progress.
• Part Time students are subject to the ESU Graduate School policy of completion of the degree program within 6 years of initial enrollment.
• Part Time students are expected to enroll for as many credits as feasible, usually 6 credits per semester in the Fall and Spring, and close to a full load in Summers if possible.
• Part Time students may, upon written request to the Graduate Coordinator, take more than 6 credits per semester in the Fall or Spring semesters, subject to availability of seats for courses, and subject to caseloads and site availability for practicum.

The department no longer guarantees that part-timers will be able to complete their degree by attending only evening and summer classes.

Students will be allowed to transfer up to 6 graduate semester hours into their plan of study in the program from other ASHA accredited training programs, as long as the courses correspond to ESU degree requirements, as judged by the ESU program faculty, and have not been used to satisfy degree requirements elsewhere.

The transferred credits must comply with the ESU Graduate School policy on transfer credits.

Students may choose to complete requirements for Pennsylvania Instructional I certification as a Teacher of the Speech-Language Impaired as part of their master's degree program.

This certification would allow the student to work in the school settings in Pennsylvania.

The following requirements are necessary to qualify for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification:

• Students must complete all master's degree requirements
• Pass the appropriate Praxis exams
• Submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

The teacher certification option is available only to students already admitted to the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program.

Students must enroll in two sections of SPPA 586-- Advanced Clinical Externship over two semesters.

• One of the sections will be a school placement.
• All master's level students, whether seeking teacher certification or not, will complete one externship placement in the school setting.

Required test scores and cumulative grade point average:

• Below a 3.0- candidate does not qualify for teacher certification.
• Students must take two Praxis exams for teacher certification with the appropriate passing scores listed below

1. Fundamental Subjects: content Knowledge (5511) Passing scores according to GPA
   1. Qualifying Score: 3.0 GPA score of 150
   2. Qualifying Score: 3.1-3.25 GPA score of 149
   3. Qualifying Score: 3.26-3.5 GPA score of 147
   4. Qualifying Score: 3.51-3.75 GPA score of 146
   5. Qualifying Score: 3.76-4.0 GPA score of 145
2. Speech-Language Pathology (NESPA Exam) passing score 162 (test #5331)

Students must pay registration fees plus a separate fee for each test!!

The Praxis exams are a requirement of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Speech Language Specialist - Students may also opt to become a speech-language specialist in lieu of teacher certification.