Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists specialize in the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human communication disorders. They work in a variety of professional settings, such as public and private schools, hospitals, universities, nursing homes, other health care facilities, and in private practice. They work with persons of all ages, from infancy to elderly. Upon completion of the program, graduates will meet the academic and clinical requirements for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification and for Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) and Department of Education (MDE) licensure.

Purpose and Objectives

The Mississippi University for Women graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is committed to offering the necessary coursework and clinical practicum experiences that will qualify students to meet the academic and clinical requirements for national certification and state licensure.

The program emphasizes the clinical aspects of the profession and requires that all students demonstrate their ability to understand the normal communicative processes as well as to diagnose and treat individuals with communicative disorders. Students are also expected to develop the skills to communicate diagnostic results, treatment effects, and prognoses to other professionals and family members in both oral and written forms.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the speech-language pathology graduate program is to enable students to develop professional knowledge and clinical skills. Traditional and non-traditional students will demonstrate leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities professionally and competently in a variety of clinical settings.

Accreditation:

The graduate program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA.

Admission Policy and Dates:

See Graduate Admissions in this Bulletin for information concerning admission policies. The application process must be completed by March 1.

Program Requirements:

In addition to the general degree requirements (see “Academic Policies and Procedure” and “Academic Programs” in this catalog) and the curriculum requirements noted below, the student must successfully complete the following:

1. A minimum of 42 hours of Graduate credit and clinical practicum. (A minimum of 30 hours must be in major coursework, and no more than 6 hours of clinical practicum may be counted towards the 42 hours.)
2. All academic and clinical practicum requirements for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence. (Mississippi licensure and teacher certification requirements must also be completed.)
3. Written and oral comprehensive examinations. (The student will have only two opportunities to pass the written and/or oral examinations.)

Transfer of Credit

Up to six hours of graduate credit may be transferred into the program. A student who has completed twenty-five hours of observation and any clinical practicum hours and who wants these hours considered for transfer must have the program director from the previous school verify the observation and clinical practicum hours.

Clinical Requirements and Responsibilities:

Before enrolling in clinical practicum, the student must present evidence of the following:

1. professional liability insurance 
2. results of a tuberculin skin test
3. hepatitis immunization or a signed declination statement, to be determined by the clinical site
4. CPR certification.
5. Criminal background check.

Note: The affiliate practicum site may stipulate additional requirements.

Transportation:

Students are responsible for supplying and paying for their own transportation for clinical practica.

Progression:

Progression in practicum is dependent upon the following:

1. The student must maintain a 3.0 overall QPA in order to enroll in practicum for the following semester.
2. The student must earn a grade of B or better in practicum before being assigned to an off-campus site.
3. The student must pass all three sections of the PRAXIS I (basic skills) exam before enrolling in a public school practicum.