Speech-Language Pathology M.S.
Degree: Master of Science
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/asld/grad/speech/
Program Director: Karen Day
Phone: 410-704-4022
Email: kday@towson.edu
The Speech-Language Pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The program provides the student with:
- the study of normal communication processes;
- an in-depth investigation of communication disorders;
- development of therapeutic goals, procedures and materials; and
- extensive clinical experience in on- and off-campus settings.
The program is designed to enable pre-professionals in the field (i.e., those with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in speech-language pathology and audiology), to meet the academic and clinical practicum requirements of national accrediting and state licensing bodies.
The degree will prepare the individual for national certification and state licensure for employment in various settings including public and non-public schools, clinics, hospitals/medical facilities or private-practices. All clinical practicum requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology must be completed before the M.S. degree is awarded.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
Prerequisites for Admission
Students with a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from a regionally accredited college or university can apply to our Master’s program. Students must have a minimum of 26 units of undergraduate courses in basic communication and swallowing process, communication disorders and differences, and swallowing disorders.
Students without a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology have two options for entering the program:
- Students may complete a second bachelor’s degree in communication disorders at an accredited institution (i.e., speech-language pathology and audiology). Students may apply to the second bachelor’s program at Towson University or any other accredited university.
or - Students may complete prerequisite course work in communication disorders at an accredited university. They may complete this through a prerequisite university program or through individual courses at one or more universities. Specifically, they must complete a minimum of 8 of the 9 following undergraduate courses in speech-language pathology and audiology before beginning the program. Please contact the graduate program with questions and requirements related to prerequisites (slpgradprogram@towson.edu).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory and Vocal Mechanism | 3 | |
| Phonetics of American English | 3 | |
| Speech and Language Development | 3 | |
| Speech Sound Disorders/Articulation & Phonology | 3 | |
| Language Disorders | 3 | |
| Speech Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Audiology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 | |
| Clinical Observations and Techniques | 3 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SPPA 600 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS FROM BIRTH THROUGH PRESCHOOL | 3 |
| SPPA 604 | ACQUIRED NEUROGENIC LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS I | 3 |
| SPPA 605 | ACQUIRED NEUROGENIC LANGUAGE AND COGNITIVE DISORDERS II | 3 |
| SPPA 606 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN | 3 |
| SPPA 610 | SPEECH SOUND DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 614 | FLUENCY DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 615 | AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | 3 |
| SPPA 620 | VOICE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS | 3 |
| SPPA 626 | NEUROLOGICALLY BASED SPEECH DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 628 | DYSPHAGIA | 3 |
| SPPA 680 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY | 1 |
| SPPA 705 | PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN SPEECH LANGUAGE-PATHOLOGY | 1 |
| SPPA 710 | WRITTEN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS | 3 |
| SPPA 713 | SEMINAR: RESEARCH DESIGN IN SPPA | 1 |
| SPPA 714 | AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION | 2 |
| Clinical Practicum I (two courses) | ||
| SPPA 690 | CLINICAL PRACTICUM ON-CAMPUS | 3 |
| SPPA 745 | ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM ON-CAMPUS | 3 |
| Clinical Practicum II (select one course) | 3 | |
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOLS | ||
| ADVANCED PEDIATRIC PRACTICUM | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM CONTINUUM ON-CAMPUS | ||
| Clinical Practicum III | 6 | |
| (select two courses - whichever was not previously taken) | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN SCHOOLS | ||
| ADVANCED PEDIATRIC PRACTICUM | ||
| CLINICAL PRACTICUM CONTINUUM OFF-CAMPUS | ||
| Total Units | 53 | |
Successful completion of a capstone activity is required before graduation. Students may complete either a Comprehensive Examination or a master's thesis/mentored research project.
Students must demonstrate acceptable writing skills in all clinical and academic work. Students showing weakness in this area may be advised to take a remedial writing experience in addition to their degree work.
The Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology recognizes a special responsibility to the profession to ensure graduates of master’s degree programs demonstrate attitudes and behaviors consistent with the standards of the profession. Students must abide by the professional and ethical standards established by the department and by ASHA. All students must have a criminal background check complete and on file in advance of beginning clinical practice. In addition, students must submit documentation of required immunizations.
- Graduates will demonstrate competency in knowledge in normal and disordered communication processes.
- Graduates will acquire and demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication including information technology.
- Graduates will acquire and demonstrate skills in prevention, evaluation and intervention of communication disorders.