Course description
Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Intercampus Program in Communicative Disorders
Program Overview
The master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology is typically completed in five fulltime
semesters, including a summer semester. Exceptions may occur for the student who
has a number of prerequisites to complete or one who extends his/her program for
additional thesis or course work. A master’s degree from KU will, in most
circumstances, satisfy the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s
certification standards for continuing on to the Clinical Fellowship Year. The Certificate
of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology is awarded upon completion of a
successful Clinical Fellowship.
Academic Prerequisites
1. An acceptable bachelor's degree.
2. Thirty-four credits in speech pathology, including the following courses or their
equivalents:
The Physics of Speech
Survey of Communication Disorders
Neuroscience of Human Communication
Fundamentals of Clinical Phonetics
Language Science
Language Sample Analysis
Language Development
Research Methods in Speech-Language-Hearing
Principles of Speech Science
Principles of Hearing Science
Introduction to Audiological Assessment and Rehabilitation
Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology
At least one course in the following areas: biological sciences (i.e., biology, anatomy,
physiology, genetics), physical sciences (i.e., physics, chemistry), mathematics
(statistics is recommended to fulfill this requirement), and the social/behavioral
sciences (i.e., psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology). Students with a
bachelor’s degree from a liberal arts college or university should meet this
requirement. Students with a bachelor’s degree from a non-liberal arts college or
university should consult with an advisor from the Department of Speech-Language-
Hearing: Sciences and Disorders to determine if this requirement has been met.
Clinical Prerequisites
Students are required to have completed 25 clock hours of directed clinical observation
before beginning graduate clinical practicum. If observation hours are needed, those will
be provided during the first semester of enrollment in the master’s program.
Requirements for the M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology
Program with Thesis
1. Minimum of 46 graduate credits
a. At least 33 credits of academic coursework including:
SPLH 764 Seminar in Multicultural Issues (2 credits)
SPLH 860 Evaluation of Speech and Language (2 credits)
SPLH 862 Clinical Processes (2 credits)
SPLH 868 Professional Seminar (2 credits)
At least 16 basic elective credits in SPLH
At least 5-6 advanced elective credits in SPLH or another department
4-6 credits in SPLH 899 Master's Thesis
b. At least 13 credits of clinical practice including:
SPLH 864 Adv. Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology (7 credits)
SPLH 866 Field Study in Speech-Language Pathology (5 credits)
1-5 additional credits in either SPLH 864 or SPLH 866 to attain a minimum of
400 total clock hours of clinical practice with at least 325 of these clock hours
accumulated at the graduate level.
2. Pass both formative and summative exams.
3. Completion of an acceptable thesis and oral defense.
Program without Thesis
The non-thesis program has the same degree requirements as those described above for
the M.A., except that the thesis is replaced with a minimum of 3 credits of additional
research-related coursework, a research practicum experience, or an independent study
course. The latter two options may include independent research projects or on-going
laboratory activities.
Graduate Coursework
The following graduate courses are offered. Required courses are noted with an asterisk.
Communication and Social Skills/Relationships
Advocacy and Leadership
Communication and Autism
Neural Bases of Speech and Voice
Infant Development
*Multicultural Issues: Diagnostics
*Multicultural Issues: Treatment
Children Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Aerodynamics of Speech
Circuit Theory and Instrumentation
Communication Neuroscience
AAC in Schools
AAC in Literacy
Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
ASL
AAC Technology Lab
AAC: Issues and Research
Language Development
Developmental Phonological Disorders
Dysarthria and Apraxia
Fluency Disorders
Phonatory Disorders
Speech Disorders in Special Populations
Dysphagia
Language Disorders of Children: Infants/Toddlers
Language Disorders of Children: Preschool Children
Language Disorders of Children: School-Aged Children
Language Disorders of Adults
Language Disorders of Special Populations
Language Disorders Secondary to CHI/Dementia
Alternative/Augmentative Communication
Reading Disorders
*Evaluation of Speech and Language
*Clinical Processes
*Advanced Clinical Practice
*Field Study in Speech-Language Pathology
*Professional Seminar
Research Practicum
Independent Study
Seminar in Speech-Language Pathology
Clinical Treatment of Phonological Disorders
Master’s Thesis
