Bloomsburg University Academic Programs
Academic Catalog

Speech Pathology (M.S.)

Administered by Audiology and Speech Pathology

Effective Fall, 2008

Admission. In addition to meeting the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies, applicants for the master's degree program in speech pathology must meet the following requirements:

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from references who have knowledge of their academic and/or clinical background. This information must include the name, address, position and telephone number of each reference.

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from references who have knowledge of their academic and/or clinical background. This information must include the name, address, position and telephone number of each reference.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in communication disorders and a minimum QPA of 2.8. Applicants must provide up-to-date transcripts. If a student is still completing undergraduate course work, they must indicate (a) the name/titles of the courses being completed, and (b) the expected date of completion. Applicants whose major is in an area other than communication disorders will be required to satisfactorily complete certain academic and practicum deficiencies. These will be prescribed by faculty following analysis of the individual's transcript. Learn about undergraduate prerequisite requirements.

The Graduate Record Examination is required of all applicants. Typically, successful students have had approximate scores of Verbal, 450; Quantitative, 450; Analytical writing, 4.0

Deadline for submission of all application materials is February 15. Applications are only accepted for Fall semester enrollment.

Retention. Graduate students must maintain a QPA of 3.0 with no more than one grade lower than a B- throughout the graduate program. If a grade lower than a B- is earned in the final Clinic course prior to externship (AUDSLP.576), the course must be repeated with a grade of B or higher prior to enrolling in a field experience. If a grade lower than a B- is earned in a field experience (AUDSLP.584 or AUDSLP.586), the course must be repeated. To progress in the graduate program, students must maintain an adequate academic standing and adhere to the department suitability clause.

Graduation. The graduate program in speech pathology consists of a minimum of 55 semester hours with most courses being required. A Master's Thesis option (6 credits) is available and may be completed as part of the minimum 55 credit requirement. Clinical experience is considered necessary and inseparable from the existing course sequence. It becomes an important step in the development of a competent clinician, linking theory with clinical experience, and preparing for certification and eventual employment in the field.

Required Courses

AUDSLP.550 Aphasia

AUDSLP.552 Language Disorders in Preschool Children

AUDSLP.554 Fluency Disorders

AUDSLP.556 Disorders of Phonology and Articulation

AUDSLP.558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I

AUDSLP.560 Voice Disorders

AUDSLP.562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children

AUDSLP.564 Craniofacial Disorders

AUDSLP.565 Motor Speech Disorders

AUDSLP.566 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II

AUDSLP.570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders

AUDSLP.572 Augmentative and Alternative Communication

AUDSLP.574 Clinical Instrumentation in Speech Pathology

AUDSLP.576 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology III

AUDSLP.581 Swallowing I: Anatomy, Physiology, Disorders

AUDSLP.582 Research in Speech and Language Pathology

AUDSLP.583 Swallowing II: Assessment and Management

AUDSLP.584 Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology I

AUDSLP.586 Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II

Thesis Option

AUDSLP.599 Master's Thesis

The thesis may substitute for six credits of required coursework. Courses that may not be substituted include AUDSLP.582, AUDSLP.558, AUDSLP.566, AUDSLP.576, AUDSLP.584, and AUDSLP.586 The substitution of a thesis for six credits of academic coursework will have no effect on the content or credit requirement for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification.

Speech/Language Pathology Faculty and Clinical Staff

Shaheen N. Awan, Ph.D., Professor of Speech Pathology; Voice, research (Vocology); speech science.

Robert J. Lowe, Ph.D., Professor of Speech Pathology; Phonology, phonetics

J. Joneen Lowman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor of Speech Pathology; Child language disorders

Pamela A. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Speech Pathology; Traumatic brain injury, aphasia, orofacial disorders of speech.

Sharon Blake, M.S., CCC-SLP Clinical Staff

Jody Siep, M.S., CCC-SLP Clinical Staff (CSIU)

Peggy Snyder, M.S., CCC-SLP Clinical Staff

Carrie Vitko, M.S., CCC-SLP Clinical Staff

Anita Wasileski, M.S., CCC-SLP Clinical Staff

Cindy Yocum, M.S. CCC-SLP Clinical Staff