Curriculum
Our curriculum prepares students to meet the following learning outcomes, as listed in the West Virginia University Academic Catalog:
- Plan and provide services for speech, language, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan using diagnostic and treatment principles which integrate evidence-based practice as an entry-level clinician.
- Develop a plan for growth in clinical knowledge and skills following independent, systematic, self-reflections to demonstrate skills for lifelong learning.
- Collaborate with clients, caregivers, professionals, and other relevant stakeholders to provide clinical services which align with best practice and legislative requirements.
- Effectively use oral and written communication in service to clients, stakeholders, and the profession.
Program Requirements
Students completing the Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology must fulfill the stated requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, either on-campus or online (low-residency).
Graduation Requirements
The minimum graduation requirements for the MS degree program are as follows:
- Complete all required courses in the on-campus or online Speech-Language Pathology curriculum, as appropriate;
- Maintain an overall graduate GPA of at least 3.0;
- Complete a supervised practicum with a minimum of 400 clock hours, including at least 25 observation hours of speech-language pathology services and 375 hours of direct patient/client contact;
- Complete a school clinical placement during graduate school;
- Successfully complete knowledge and skills assessments; and
- Successfully complete the final project.
Students must complete the online graduation application at the beginning of the semester in which they intend to graduate, and should consult the SLP Student Handbook for additional information regarding graduation requirements.
On-Campus SLP Program
Students pursuing the on-campus Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology must complete the program requirements as outlined in the West Virginia University Academic Catalog.
To be eligible for graduation, all students in the MS program must be full-time in residence during the program of study. The minimum duration of the program is five consecutive semesters (including one summer session). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass their knowledge and skills assessments, complete a final project, and achieve a minimum of 400 supervised clinical clock hours.
Typical Semester Course Sequence
Fall 1
- CSAD610 Clinic 1–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD618 EBP–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD620 Neurological Bases of Spch and Lang–4 Credit Hours
- CSAD663 Treatment Principles–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD664 Diagnostics in CSD–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 14
Spring 1
- CSAD612 Clinic 2–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD624 Speech Sound Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD625 Dev Language Dis: Early Stages–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD630 Acquired Language Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD664 Dysphagia–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 15 Hours
Summer 2
- CSAD608 Audiological Foundations–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD614 Clinic 3–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD626 Acquired Motor Speech Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD636 AAC–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD665 Diversity & Inclusion–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 12 Hours
Fall 2
- CSAD616 Clinic 4–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD6122 Voice Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD628 Fluency–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD635 Dev Lang Dis: Adv Stages–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD640 Supervision & Leadership in SLP–1 Credit Hour
- Elective–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 14 Hours
Spring 2
- CSAD697 Culminating Project–4 Credit Hours
- CSAD718 Externship–9 Credit Hours
- Elective–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 15 Hours
Online SLP Program
The full-time online Master of Science (MS) program in speech-language pathology is designed for individuals working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) or students who will achieve their clinical experiences through an individual plan developed with the program director. Coursework is completed online with optional on-campus activities. The program begins in the summer and is seven to ten semesters in length. Students may be enrolled part-time in some semesters and full-time in other semesters depending on the student's program of study.
Program Requirements
Students pursuing the online Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology must complete the program requirements as outlined in the West Virginia University Academic Catalog.
Students in the MS Online SLP program may be part-time or full-time students during the distance program. The minimum duration of the program is six consecutive semesters (including two summer sessions). To be eligible for graduation, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass their knowledge and skills assessments, complete a final project, and achieve a minimum of 400 supervised clinical clock hours.
Typical Ten-Semester Course Sequence
Summer 1
- CSAD663 Principles of Intervention–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD642 Service Provision in Education–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 4 Hours
Fall 1
- CSAD609 Introduction to Clinic–1 Credit Hour
- CSAD664 Diag in CSD–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD618 EBP–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 6 Hours
Spring 1
- CSAD624 Speech Sound Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD610 Clinic 1–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD625 Dev Language Dis: Early Stages–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 9 Hours
Summer 2
- CSAD636 AAC–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD665 Diversity & Inclusion–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD608 Audiological Foundations–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 6 Hours
Fall 2
- CSAD620 Neurological Bases of Spch and Lang–4 Credit Hours
- CSAD612 Clinic 2–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD635 Dev Lang Dis: Adv Stages–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 10 Hours
Spring 2
- Elective–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD630 Acquired Language Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD664 Dysphagia–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 8 Hours
Summer 3
- CSAD614 Clinic 3–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD626 Acquired Motor Speech Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD697 Culminating Project–2 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 8 Hours
Fall 3
- CSAD6122 Voice Disorders–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD628 Fluency–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD697 Culminating Project–1 Credit Hour
- CSAD640 Supervision & Leadership in SLP–1 Credit Hour
Total Credit Hours: 7 Hours
Spring 3
- Elective–2 Credit Hours
- CSAD697 Culminating Project–3 Credit Hours
- CSAD616 Clinic 4–3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 8 Hours
Summer 4
- CSAD718 Externship–4 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours: 4 Hours
Clinical Fellowship and Certification
After completion of coursework and supervised clinical practica, graduates of the MS program may pursue a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship and are encouraged to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).