Nov 24, 2024  
2023-2024 University of Wyoming Catalog 
    
2023-2024 University of Wyoming Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.


Earn a Master of Science (M.S.) in speech-language pathology, our program is accredited by ASHA’s CAA and includes 3 semesters of on-campus coursework and clinic work followed by 3 semesters of distance education and external clinical placements.


 

Accreditation


The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a professional degree program that includes 61-64 semester credit hours of enrollment (see typical programs below). Students may pursue either a thesis or non-thesis track during their graduate studies. Both tracks lead to eligibility for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), granted by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology (CFCC), which is a council serving the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Graduates are also eligible for the Wyoming license in speech-language pathology. A supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) is required beyond the graduate degree for certification.

Accreditation. The Master’s of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at the University of Wyoming is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Typical Programs of Study



There are two programs of study for the MS SLP program. The Plan A is the thesis option (64-credit hour program), and Plan B is the non-thesis option (61-credit hour program).  The Plan A (thesis) option requires 38 credits of graduate academic work (including 4 credits of SPPA 5960 Thesis Research) and 26 credits of graduate clinical practicum.  The Plan B (non-thesis) option requires 35 credits of graduate academic work (including 1 credit of SPPA 5961 Graduate Projects/Oral Comprehensive Exam) and 26 credits of graduate clinical practicum.

26 Hours of Graduate Clinical Practicum Include:


Note:


Note: Specific degree requirements (course name and content), may change based on departmental decisions or requirement changes from accreditation and licensure bodies.

Additional Information


Admissions to the M.S. Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology

Admission to the master’s program in speech-language pathology is made on a competitive basis. We accept students to start in the fall of each year. For application, admission, and a description of the program, see the division website. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. All applicants should have at least a 3.000 cumulative GPA (scale of 4.000).

Additional required undergraduate coursework and discipline specific coursework

Admitted students must also have taken required coursework in the 4 Foundational Areas (Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Statistics). For the UW M.S. SLP program, admitted students must also have completed coursework in phonetics; speech & language development; anatomy and physiology of speech, hearing, and swallowing; audiology; neural basis of communication; and aural rehabilitation. Coursework in each of these areas is needed in order to meet the requirements of the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language-Pathology (CFCC) certification requirements and/or in order to graduate from the UW MS SLP program. Students missing any of these courses must complete requirements in order to be considered eligible for the M.S. in SLP degree.

Applications to our master’s program must be made through an electronic, centralized application service: the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service for Clinical Education in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CSDCAS). Instructions and application procedures are available at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.org/. Check the division web site in September for instructions.

Applicants will be notified of the division’s decision on acceptance, alternate, or denial by mid-March. Applicants must respond to the offer by April 15. Alternates may be offered positions that become available after April 15.

International Students

For all International students, the university must determine whether financial resources are sufficient for study here.

International students from non-English speaking countries need a TOEFL score of 600 to show English proficiency. Additional sources of evidence may be requested by the division to make a final decision. English proficiency must be sufficient for success in graduate school and certification as a speech-language pathologist in the United States, even if the applicant intends to return to the native country.

Conditional Status

An applicant may be admitted conditionally if he or she does not meet the GPA requirements for full admission, and the Division determines that there are sufficient areas of strength for success in graduate school in comparison to other applicants. Conditions will be placed on admission such as graduate grade point average, performance criteria, or completion of certain courses.

Requirements Following Offer of Admission

Students who accept an offer of admission to the program must then provide numerous pieces of required documentation for admission to UW and program and will also need to be responsive to emails from the Division and faculty throughout onboarding. 

Criminal Background Check

Admission to the graduate program in speech-language pathology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student recommended for admission into the program will be required to obtain, pay, and pass a criminal background check. Additional background checks are routinely required by schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of our students. The results of the background checks may determine admission and/or ability to complete the UW M.S. SLP program. Please see the College of Health Sciences web site for the policy and procedures document.

Vaccination Requirements

Students’ admission to our program is contingent on verification of vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccination. Other medical information (TB test) will also be requested.  Admitted students can request a  COVID-19 vaccination exemption from the University, but keep in mind that external clinical placements have their own processes and are not bound to accept University of Wyoming determinations. Students who are not vaccinated may be at risk for extended programs of study and/or inability to complete the degree by completing required and approved externships.

Graduate Student Outcome Data

As of September 2022, 100% of MS SLP students completed the program “on time” over the last three years at time of calculation, 100% obtained employment, and the reported Praxis Exam pass rate was 100%.

Program Specific Graduate Assistantships

Financial help for graduate students is available each year through the department with assistantships and other funding. Typically, graduate assistantships include one-half tuition support and a monthly stipend. These assistantships require the student to spend 10 hours per week assisting faculty members in teaching and research. Graduate Assistantships and scholarship awards are competitive and based on past academic performance, evidence of professional promise, and letters of recommendation.

Differential Tuition

The graduate program in speech-language pathology has a differential tuition rate. See the Division website and/or fee book for details.