Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences :

Speech-Language Pathology, M.A. (Online Program)

• Supervision Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

This three-year program is designed to prepare students for entry-level activity as speech-language pathologists. It was developed to meet the needs of non-traditional students with employment and/or family commitments that preclude participating in a full-time on-campus program, who wish to earn a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Students must have completed an undergraduate program in Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences, or Communication Disorders prior to beginning the master's degree program.

During the program, students use e-mail, video and audiotape, web-based instruction, compressed videos, audio conferencing and other technologies to participate in academic classes and clinical seminars. On-campus class meetings are required for two to three weeks during the first summer of the program and a full-time, 12-week internship in a medical setting is required during the final summer of the program. All students must have access to the Internet and maintain an e-mail account.

Clinical practicum courses are completed through a partnership between university faculty and a clinical supervisor(s) at each student's place of employment. Once admitted to the program, students must maintain employment as a speech-language pathologist or Speech-Language Sciences aide at a site where they can obtain their clinical hours under the supervision of an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the National Examination in Speech-Language Sciences (NESPA) and to complete the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) required by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). Graduates are also eligible for the licensure/certification through the Departments of Education in most states. The program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Sciences & Audiology (ASHA) and by the Colorado Department of Education. Certified speech-language pathologists find employment in the public schools, private practice, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and freestanding clinics.

Students are admitted every two years in cohort groups who progress through the program together. The next cohort (Cohort VII) will begin in Fall 2009. Applications will be accepted beginning January 8, 2009. The application deadline is May 2, 2009. Applications received by that date will receive preference for admission. However, we will continue to accept applications until the program is full.

Required Courses (65 to 68 credit hours)

The graduate curriculum outline meets ASHA's new standards for academic programs. This program assumes an undergraduate background in Speech-Language Sciences, Audiology, or Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences . Students who do not have such a background must complete a core of undergraduate courses prior to beginning the program. Successful completion of a written comprehensive examination or its equivalent is required to complete the Master of Arts program.

Supervision Requirements

For each credit hour of ASLS 583/ASLS 585/ASLS 586/ASLS 588, which are the clinical treatment practicum classes, for which the student is registered, he/she must complete approximately 25 hours of therapy. A minimum of 25 percent of this therapy must be supervised by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. For example, if a student is registered for 1 credit hour of ASLS 585, he/she must complete 25 hours of therapy and 6.25 hours of that therapy must be supervised. The student and his/her supervisor have some latitude in choosing which cases or blocks of therapy time are selected for this class.

For each credit hour of ASLS 569, Advanced Diagnostic Procedures, for which the student is registered, he/she must complete two speech-language evaluations. A minimum of 50 percent of each session must be supervised.

The above notes are general guidelines. There may be semesters in which these requirements are modified so that the student meets ASHA's requirements for practicum experiences during the graduate program.

Sample Course Schedule

The graduate curriculum outlined in this proposed schedule meets ASHA's new standards for academic programs. This program assumes an undergraduate background in Speech-Language Sciences, audiology or communication disorders.