Communication Sciences and Disorders

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:

  1. Complete all required courses in the on-campus or online Speech-Language Pathology curriculum, as appropriate; 
  2. Maintain an overall graduate GPA of at least 3.0;
  3. 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;
  4. Complete a school clinical placement during graduate school;
  5. Successfully complete knowledge and skills assessments; and
  6. 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.

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).