Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.
Dee Ann Shelton, Ed.D. CCC/SLP
Graduate Program Director
The Master’s of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at Hardin-Simmons University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.
Mission
The mission of the Hardin-Simmons University Speech-Language Pathology program is to equip highly competent speech-language pathologists who are enlightened by Christian faith and values and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to work in the diverse communities of the world.
Graduate Program
The Speech-Language Pathology Program is a part of the College of Health Professions and offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) degree. The curriculum is a full-time two-year (five semesters) 55 credit hours (39 hours of course work and 16 hours of clinical practicum) non-thesis program designed for students with and undergraduate background in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students without this background may apply but will be expected to complete leveling courses before starting the program.
The SLP graduate program offers students a distinctive academic and clinical experience in the field of speech-language pathology. Students are required to be enrolled in clinical practicum each semester to achieve a total of 400 clinical clock hours. Students within the College of Health Professions (COHP) participate in interprofessional activities throughout the year. These experiences will provide graduates with the skills and competencies leading to a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Admission Criteria (CSDCAS)
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in Communication Sciences and Disorders or leveling classes before beginning the graduate program
• Academic transcripts indicating an earned bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders
• GPA 3.2 or higher
• GRE combined score of 290 (Verbal Reasoning and Qualitative Reasoning) and at least a 3 on the writing section
• 3 letters of recommendation of which two must be from an academic faculty (or one from a previous academic faculty and one from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist)
• Personal statement (prompt on CSDCAS)
• TOFL/IELTS scores (for international students)
A student whose native language is not English must provide an official TOFEL score of 550 on the paper-based exam, a 213 on the computer-based exam or a 79 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT). TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. HSU school code: TOEFL-6368
Prerequisite Coursework:
Students entering this graduate program who have not completed an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must successfully complete the following leveling courses or their equivalents before they can enter the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program.
| Course |
Course Number |
Credit Hour |
| Normal Speech-Language/Learning/Hearing |
CSD 2352 |
3 |
| Audiology |
CSD 2353 |
3 |
| Clinical Phonetics |
CSD 3351 |
3 |
| Aural Rehabilitation |
CSD 3353 |
3 |
| Articulation and Phonological Processes |
CSD 3354 |
3 |
| Anatomy, Physiology, and Neuro |
CSD 3356 |
3 |
| Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders |
CSD 3359 |
3 |
| Language Disorders |
CSD 4352 |
3 |
| Clinical Observation |
CSD |
2 |
| Clinical Practicum |
CSD |
2 |
In addition to the above prerequisites, the Council for Clinical Certification requires that all students have transcript credit for statistics, biology, physical science (physics or chemistry), and social science. Students may complete their leveling courses in the post-baccalaureate program at Hardin-Simmons or any accredited program that offers equivalent courses. The program director may determine equivalency of leveling courses. Hardin Simmons University has a post-baccalaureate program for students needing to complete their leveling work.
Graduate Coursework
| Year 1 |
Fall Semester |
| CSD 6308 |
Research Methods in Communication Disorders |
| CSD 6310 |
Pediatric Language Disorders Assessment and Intervention |
| CSD 6315 |
Aphasia and Related Disorders |
| CSD 6301 |
Clinical Practicum 1 |
| |
|
| Year 1 |
Spring Semester |
| CSD 6320 |
Counseling and Interviewing in Communication Disorders |
| CSD 6325 |
Phonological Disorders |
| CSD 6332 |
Dysphagia and Related Disorders (Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing) |
| CSD 6362 |
Language and Literacy
|
| CSD 6302 |
Clinic Practicum 2 |
| |
|
| Year 1 |
May Short-Course |
| CSD 6341 |
Multi-Cultural Aspects of Communication Sciences and Disorders |
| |
|
| Year 1 |
Summer Courses 1 & 2 |
| CSD 6403 |
Clinical Practicum 3 |
| |
|
| Year 2 |
Fall Semester |
| CSD 6338 |
Voice and Fluency |
| CSD 6354 |
Motor Speech Disorders |
| CSD 6368 |
Graduate Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology |
| CSD 6304 |
Clinical Practicum 4 |
| |
|
| Year 2 |
Spring Semester |
| CSD 6358 |
Special Populations and Augmentative & Alternative Technology
|
| CSD 6384 |
Special Topic/Seminar |
| CSD 6305 |
Clinical Practicum 5 |
Curriculum
Courses
| CSD 6308 | Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6310 | Pediatric Language Disorders Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CSD 6315 | Aphasia and Related Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6301/CSD 6101 | Clinical Practicum 1 | 3 |
| CSD 6320 | Counseling and Interviewing in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6325 | Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6332 | Dysphagia and Related Disorders (Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing) | 3 |
| CSD 6338 | Voice and Fluency Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CSD 6302 | Clinical Practicum 2 | 3 |
| CSD 6341 | Multi-Cultural Aspects of Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6403 | Clinical Practicum 3 | 4 |
| CSD 6354 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 6358 | Special Populations and Augmentative & Assistive Communication (AAC) | 3 |
| CSD 6362 | Language and Literacy | 3 |
| CSD 6304 | Clinical Practicum 4 | 3 |
| CSD 6368 | Graduate SLP Seminar | 3 |
| CSD 6384 | Special Topics Seminar in Speech Pathology | 3 |
| CSD 6305 | Clinical Practicum 5 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 55 |
Total Credit Hours: 55
Graduation Requirements:
Graduation from the Speech and Language Pathology graduate program involves successful completion of the following requirements: curriculum, clinical experience, and satisfactory performance on the departmental comprehensive exam.
• A 3.0 GPA at the time of graduation encompassing 39 hours of graduate course work in the SLP program.
• Completion of 16 academic credit hours of clinical practicum (which represents 400 hours of working under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist) with a passing grade (B or higher).
• Professional behaviors appropriate for the profession as assessed by departmental faculty and clinical supervisors (certified speech-language pathologists)
• Satisfactory performance on the departmental comprehensive exam
Administrative Offices, clinical facilities, and classrooms for this program are located on the HSU campus in the Hemphill/Caldwell buildings on Cedar Street. For more information call 1-325-670-1020 or email slp@hsutx.edu.