About the program
The master of arts in speech-language pathology is a world class, two-year program. Faculty work closely with students in a positive, encouraging environment. and students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, a variety of clinical experiences, and possibilities for mentored research experiences. Opportunities for financial support are often available throughout the course of the degree program.
Our nationally ranked master's program is considered the entry-level degree and is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Two program tracks are available:
Track A: Students who choose Track A may be interested in ongoing research opportunities with faculty, leading to a thesis, or may prefer additional coursework providing certificates in areas such as gerontology or teaching English as a second language.
Track B: Students who choose Track B complete two externships and may be preferred by students desiring a greater variety of clinical experiences. For example, a student may choose to extern in both medical and school settings or perhaps obtain different experiences in separate medical settings, such as adult and pediatric. Externships are available throughout the U.S. and Canada through contractual agreements with certified professionals in those sites.
Master's degree study in hearing, speech and language sciences (HSLS) at Ohio University provides numerous distinctive opportunities, including:
- Academic and clinical experiences leading to professional national certification and state licensure.
- Optional teacher licensure.
- Ample and diverse clinical experiences in a variety of settings staffed by our own HSLS clinical supervisors, including: a beautiful, well-equipped on-campus multidisciplinary clinic located in the same building as academic classrooms, research labs and offices; four hospitals; three local school districts; two regional clinics located in area health departments; three facilities for adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities; a home health agency; and a regional Veterans Affairs Health Administration clinic.
- A choice of two tracks, for either a clinical or a clinical research emphasis.
Engagement with multicultural, multinational and multilingual students and faculty.
- Dedicated personalized clinical supervision from seasoned clinicians.
- A nationwide network of over 250 clinical externship sites.
- Classes offered in "smart classrooms equipped with the most advanced teaching and learning technology.
- Participation in a university and local community that offers a safe and picturesque environment.
Clinical education foci
- In-patient service delivery
- Out-patient service delivery
- Long-term care
- School-based services
- Team-based practices
- Dysphagia
- Aphasia
- Dementia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cognitive re-training
- Voice
- Early intervention
- Parent education
- Aural rehabilitation in cochlear implanted children
- Infant/toddler communication development
- Infant/toddler feeding
- Auditory processing disorders
- Adolescent language
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Specific language impairment
- Speech perception
- Videostroboscopic examination of voice
- Ethics of clinical practice
- Clinical business management
- School-age speech and language development
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Clinical research opportunities
- Involvement in research projects funded by prestigious agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
Enriching collaborative experiences in medicine, psychology, neuroscience, cognition, psycholinguistics, linguistics, health sciences, physical therapy, education, engineering, biological sciences, statistics, and more.
- Linked M.A.-Ph.D. program for select students.
- Access to clinical populations to support cutting-edge research programs.
- Participation in Ohio University's NanoBio Technology Initiative, Appalachian Rural Health Institute and Diabetes Research Initiative, providing rich additional interdisciplinary research and student funding possibilities.
- Participation in the Institute for the Empirical Study of Language, facilitating research collaboration across many disciplines.
- Grant funding opportunities for student research and travel to professional conferences.
Duration
Students typically complete the program in two years. It includes a planned sequence of core courses, practicum courses, elective opportunities, ongoing clinical experiences, and a choice between one or two externships near the end of the program. Students satisfy all ASHA academic and clinical requirements for certification, including the National Teacher's Examination (Praxis) as part of the degree program.
Admission
Admissions to the program will be considered for fall quarter, and materials must be submitted by February 1st. The number of applicants admitted is limited each year to insure the individualized attention necessary for high quality education. All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Admissions are based on the following:
- A bachelor's degree in communication disorders or satisfactory completion of core undergraduate classes including: Introduction to Communication Disorders; Phonetics; Speech Science; Hearing Science; Language Development; Anatomy/Physiology of Speech/Hearing; Basic Audiology
- Satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores
- Application Form (downloadable at right) in duplicate
- All college transcripts, with a minimum overall grade-point average (gpa) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation
- Brief essay on future career aspirations
- Supplemental Information Form (downloadable at right).
- Additional requirements for international students with English as a second language: (1) Record of TOEFL Scores and (2) an informal tape-recorded speech sample.
For fall admission, all materials must be submitted by Feb. 1.
Curriculum
Students are required to complete graduate coursework and clinical practicum, including 11 core courses and approved elective courses. Detailed information on all required courses and policies can be obtained from the Graduate Handbook.
Core courses:
Introduction to Research Methods
Neuroscience of Communication
Developmental and Disordered Phonology
Advanced Diagnostic Procedures in Speech and Language Disorders
Experimental Phonetics
Augmentative Communication
Dysphagia
Disorders of Phonation
Disorders of Fluency
Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders
Neuromotor Disorders of Speech
Elective courses:
Language Disorders in Children
Communication Disorders in Infants and Young Children
Language Disorders in School-Age Children
Orofacial Disorders
Aural Rehabilitation
Cochlear Implants
Advanced Sign Language
Multicultural Issues in Communicative Disorders
Administration of Public School Speech/Language Programs
Audiology Procedures for Speech-Language Pathologists
Thesis option
Seminars, Directed Studies, and Workshops, such as recent ones on Autism and Closed Head Injuries
Outside Electives in many related fields, such as Psychology, Special Education, Linguistics, Health Sciences, and Counseling
Clinical practicum hours:
Students will choose 6-7 quarters of clinical practicum and 1-2 clinical externships.
Additional requirements:
- Successful completion of clinical hours in accordance with ASHA standards
- Passage of the National Teacher's Examination in Speech Language Pathology
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in academic and clinical work
M.A.-to-Ph.D. linked program
Master's degree applicants who are interested in academic careers and who demonstrate potential for doctoral study may request consideration for admission to a special M.A.-to-Ph.D. linked arrangement. The M.A.-to-Ph.D. linked program provides special learning opportunities, but does not obligate either you or the School to subsequent doctoral study. Participants in the program also have advantageous funding opportunities. If you would like to be considered for the special admission to the M.A.-to-Ph.D. linked program, please tell us so and provide a brief description of your interest in doctoral study within the body of your essay that accompanies your completed application materials
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
You must first complete the supplemental information form (it can be downloaded on the right side of this page).
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The School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences graduate application process can be completed online by clicking on APPLY ONLINE! here or on the right side of this page. If you prefer you can download and print application materials by clicking on APPLY ONLINE! as well. The application process for students in the USA and International students is all handled through the online process.
Program contact Jeff DiGiovanni, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Professional Programs
School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences
Grover Center W218
Athens, OH 45701
740.593.1407