Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

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The Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) is a full-time, two-year degree program consisting of ≈ 61 semester hours (SCH) of graduate study. The program is delivered in six consecutive semesters with full-time fall, spring and summer enrollment required. The program is classified as a residential program according to the criteria established by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). This program incorporates a distance education component, involving one semester of online coursework and off-site clinical practicum, known as “community placement,” completed during the fall semester of the second year.

Students in the MS-SLP program dedicate their “first year” (three semesters) to on-campus studies and clinical practicum at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The “second year” (three semesters) consists of off-campus components, with students engaging in distance education coursework and clinical practicum during the fall. Full-time externships are undertaken in the spring and summer of the second year. While off-site clinical placements can be located anywhere in the United States, it’s important to note that students are matched to clinical sites by the Speech Clinic Director, and existing agreements must be in place prior to students beginning their placements.

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.

Eligibility for Certification and Licensure

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a professional degree program that leads 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. A supervised Clinical Fellowship (CF) is required beyond the graduate degree for certification. Graduates are also eligible for the Wyoming license in speech-language pathology.

Typical Programs of Study

There are two programs of study for the MS SLP program. 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 34 credits of graduate academic work, 4 credits of SPPA 5960 Thesis Research, and 26 credits of graduate clinical practicum. The Plan B (non-thesis) option requires 34 credits of graduate academic work , 1 credit of research through SPPA 5961 Graduate Projects (Oral Comprehensive Exam), and 26 credits of graduate clinical practicum.

35-38 Hours of Graduate Academic Work and Research Usually Includes:

SPPA 5020 - Phonological Assessment and Intervention Credits: 3
SPPA 5140 - EBP and Evaluation Procedures in Communication Disorders Credits: 4
SPPA 5280 - Early Language Intervention Credits: 3
SPPA 5220 - Voice Disorders Credits: 3
SPPA 5130 - Adult Neurogenic Disorders Credits: 3
SPPA 5330 - School-Age Language Intervention Credits: 3
SPPA 5120 - Stuttering Credits: 2
SPPA 5110 - Craniofacial Disorders Credits: 2
SPPA 5230 - Dysphagia Credits: 3
SPPA 5100 - Motor Speech Disorders Credits: 3
SPPA 5210 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Credits: 2
SPPA 5380 - Professional Practice Credits: 3
Plan A students complete 4 credits of SPPA 5960 - Thesis Research Credits: 1-12
Plan B students complete 1 credit of SPPA 5961 - Graduate Projects Credits: 1-4

26 Hours of Graduate Clinical Practicum Include:

SPPA 5030 - Clinical Practicum Credits: 1-4
(14 credits total required)
SPPA 5270 - Educational Practicum Credits: 1-12
(6 credits total required)
SPPA 5290 - Medical Practicum Credits: 1-12
(6 credits total required)

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. More information can be found on the UW International Students webpage.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, who do not possess a bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. The University of Wyoming and MS SLP program accept several English proficiency exams, including the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, Duolingo, or Cambridge English score report. Score requirements for English proficiency exams are: TOEFL (540 or 76 minimum for iBT), IELTS (6.5 minimum), Duolingo (110), and Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (176 minimum). The MS SLP program does not accept other options for satisfying the English proficiency admissions requirement. Official scores must be received by CSDCAS by January 15th.

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. Students must submit MMR immunization to UW’s Student Health Services. Students also must submit COVID-19 vaccination status, because that information is required for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as part of the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic’s billing for patients to that agency. Students should also know that external clinical placements often require updated background checks and have their own processes and guidelines for vaccination documents and requirements, these sites are not bound to the University of Wyoming determinations.

Graduate Student Outcome Data

As of September 2023, 98.08% 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 assistance for graduate students is available each year through the Division 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.