Speech Pathology and Audiology, M.S.

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The Masters degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology is required for professional licensure and the Certificate for Clinical Competence in the field. This is a two-year residential program that includes experiential clinical practicum hours. The M.S. curriculum provides a variety of course offerings that emphasize evaluation and treatment of communicative (involving language, phonology, fluency, voice, alaryngeal speech, aphasia, cleft palate, autism, augmentative communication, cerebral palsy, and literacy), cognitive, and feeding/swallowing disorders across lifespan.

Students in the master’s program are required to complete a summative experience – either comprehensive examination or a thesis based on original research. For the comprehensive examination/non-thesis option, the degree requires the completion of a minimum of 48 graduate level credits including 1 credit for the comprehensive examination. For the thesis option, a minimum of 53 graduate level credits including 6 credits for thesis is required. One elective course (SPA770) worth 2 units is also available in addition to the core courses. Thesis option requires the approval and mentoring of a faculty member in the department.

To prepare graduate students for professional careers in speech-language pathology, the Master’s degree program addresses the following Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Students will apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism to communication disorders.
Students will demonstrate understanding of the characteristics of major communication disorders.
Students will apply knowledge of communication disorders to clinical situation.
Students will demonstrate entry-level professional knowledge of breadth and depth of the discipline of speech pathology.

All applicants, including international applicants, must meet the following requirements complete the following two criteria to be considered for admission to the master’s program:

Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders. OR bachelor’s degree in another field with completion of prerequisite course work or equivalent (SPA 201, 320, 330, 331, 366, 340, 345, 362, 364, 365, 370, 400, 421, 466, 467)
Pre-requisite coursework in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics must be completed and passed at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited institution, and must appear on undergraduate and graduate transcripts to meet ASHA certification standards Here is the link detailing this requirement: Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards (asha.org)

International applicants with bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders are highly encouraged to contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Speech Pathology prior to applying for admission to the graduate program.

For more information on the graduate special coursework sequence, please see the Speech Pathology & Audiology Department website.

Contact Information

Dr. Pradyumn Srivastava, Graduate Program Director
Department of Speech Pathology & Audiology
Redfield Bldg/0152
(775) 982-3300
psrivastava@med.unr.edu

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The general mission of the Department is to provide high quality educational experiences, research productivity in the area of communication science and disorders, and clinical services to the communicatively-impaired. Program objectives are as follows:

As there is a critical shortage of speech-language pathologists, the department will sustain enrollment in all degree programs.
Faculty will conduct research, seek extramural funding, and encourage student involvement in research.
Faculty commits to developing specialized clinical programs that reflect current needs and future trends utilizing current technology and expanding innovations.
Master candidates will develop skills and experience in assessment and therapeutic techniques for children and adults with communication disorders.

Admissions Requirements

Students must meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology OR completion of Graduate Special course sequence.
Minimum G.P.A. of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Tours of the departmental facilities may be scheduled in advance by contacting the department at (775)-784-4887.

I. Program Requirements

As a part of their Masters program, all the students must complete 47 units of core courses. In addition to the 47 units of core courses, students must complete either thesis or comprehensive exam. Students who choose to complete a thesis (6 units) are not required to complete comprehensive exam (1 unit). One elective course (SPA770) worth 2 units is also available in addition to the core courses.

A. Core Courses (47 units)

SPA 660 - Advanced Speech Sound Disorders (3 units)
SPA 667 - Language Assessment and Intervention: 0-5 (3 units)
SPA 668 - Assessment & Intervention of Language & Literacy Disorders (3 units)
SPA 700 - Clinical Practicum - Introduction (2 units)
SPA 701 - Clinical Practicum - Intermediate (2 units)
SPA 702 - Clinical Practicum - Advanced (2 units)
SPA 703 - Clinical Practicum - Professional Preparation (2 units)
SPA 704 - Clinical Practicum - Externship (2 to 8 units) (2 units required)
SPA 720 - Research Design (3 units)
SPA 721 - Craniofacial Disorders (3 units)
SPA 723 - Language Theory (3 units)
SPA 751 - Dysphasia (3 units)
SPA 752 - Fluency Disorders (3 units)
SPA 754 - Seminar in Alaryngeal Speech (2 units)
SPA 756 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication Speech-Language Pathology (2 units)
SPA 762 - Disorders of Voice (3 units)
SPA 775 - Cognitive Aspects of Communications Disorders (3 units)
SPA 777 - Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (3 units)

B. Thesis (6 units)

Enrollment only by faculty approval.

SPA 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)

C. Non-thesis (Comprehensive Exam 1 unit)

Non-thesis students complete 1 unit of SPA795 in addition to the core courses listed above.

SPA 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 to 3 units)

II. Program Total Hours (48-55 Units)

48 graduate level credits = 47 units for core courses + 1 unit for comprehensive exam

50 graduate level credits = 47 units for core courses + 2 units for elective SPA770 course + 1 unit for comprehensive exam

53 graduate level credits = 47 units for core courses + 6 units for thesis

55 graduate level credits = 47 units for core courses + 2 units for elective SPA770 course + 6 units for thesis

Undergraduate Prerequisites/Notes

Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders from an US university.

Grad Special (students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a major outside of Speech Pathology and Audiology or Communication Sciences and Disorders) and International applicants with Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Langauge Pathology or Communication Scinces and Disorders must contact the

OR completion of pre-requisite coursework in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics must be completed and passed at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited institution, and must appear on your undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Graduate Special Standing. Students who qualify for graduate special status will have to complete the following undergraduate curriculum prior to applying for admission to the graduate program: SPA 301, SPA 330 , SPA 320 , SPA 362 , SPA 366 , SPA 345 , SPA 340 , SPA 364 , SPA 365 , SPA 466 , SPA 331 , SPA 421 , SPA 400 , SPA 467 , SPA 370 . These courses must be taken in a prescribed sequence to ensure completion within a one-year time period.

Graduate Handbook

* Curriculum requirements in the catalog supersede the Graduate handbook.

New Core

Based on their interest, students can take this course in addition to the core courses listed above.

SPA 770 - Endoscopic Evaluation of Speech and Swallowing (2 units)