Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, B.S. to M.S. Accelerated Program

The Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Accelerated Bachelor to Master (ABM) track at Saint Louis University allows students to graduate with a B.S. and M.S. in five years (including two summers). Accelerated students take a maximum of 30 credits of SLHS coursework at the 5000 level during their senior year that will count for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Students will then be prepared to practice as speech-language pathologists up to one year earlier than those who opt for a traditional four-year bachelor's followed by a two-year master's program. Students retain their undergraduate status and financial aid throughout their fourth year. In the remaining three semesters (summer, fall, and spring of year five), they will have graduate status.

Students admitted as freshmen receive a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (B.S.) after successfully completing the first eight semesters of coursework and the Master of Science (M.S.) after completing the additional four post-baccalaureate semesters. Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree may enter as a post-baccalaureate for two years of graduate coursework, including two summers. 

The program will admit both internal and external transfer students. The number of students admitted varies and is based on the available space in the respective cohort. A change of major status and program entry occurs in the next applicable fall or spring semester following acceptance. 

Students studying speech, language and hearing sciences are equipped with the background to function in a changing health care landscape. A description of this vital member of the health care team is described in the career section below. 

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following programs:

Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, B.S.

Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, M.S.

Clinical and Research Opportunities

SLU undergraduate students in speech, language and hearing sciences are encouraged to participate in research activities, either faculty-guided independent research or as a research assistant. Such activities provide learning experiences outside the classroom and serve to focus interest in the discipline. In addition to enriching the undergraduate curriculum, engaging in research is a valuable way to prepare for graduate studies. During the undergraduate semesters, students will observe adults and children with various speech, language and auditory disorders at SLU's Reinert Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. Following the completion of required courses, students also have an opportunity to participate in an elective clinical practicum.

A significant strength of SLU's M.S. in speech, language and hearing sciences is the variety of clinical practicum experiences available to graduate students. The department has strong working relationships with hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities and community clinics in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. During the graduate semesters, students will experience at least two separate off-campus clinical placements, often obtaining 50 clinical hours or more at each site. Students are ready for a full-time internship during their last semester, consisting of placements in both medical and educational settings. Students typically obtain considerably more than the minimum clock hours required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and are well-prepared to begin their professional careers. Research opportunities include independent studies worth one to two credits of elective credit or a six-credit research thesis. 

Careers

Speech-language pathologists typically need a master’s degree to practice. Most speech-language pathologists work in schools or health care facilities.

A doctoral degree (either a Ph.D. or an Au.D.) is required for audiologists entering the profession. Most audiologists work in health care facilities.

An undergraduate degree in speech, language and hearing sciences can also act as preparation for other professional degrees such as medicine, special education or public health.

Those not wishing to pursue an additional degree can practice as a speech-language pathology assistant in many states with a B.A. in communication sciences and disorders. Furthermore, some graduates get jobs as research assistants or patient care advocates with a bachelor's degree alone.

Speech-language pathology and audiology professions offer excellent employment opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for both careers is positive, with both projected to experience “much faster than average growth” in the next decade. 

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are employed in various settings such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation agencies and private clinics or practices.

Admission Requirements

Freshman Applicants

All applicants are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration of all submitted credentials. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

• High school diploma or acceptable score on the General Educational Development test (GED)
• Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale
• Saint Louis University has moved to a test-optional admission process for all undergraduate programs. Applicants may submit standardized test scores, but those who choose not to will not be disadvantaged in the admission process. 

Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

The deadline for completed speech, language and hearing sciences applications and financial aid consideration for all freshmen is Dec. 1. 

Transfer Applicants

As space allows, students may enter the accelerated Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences program as an internal (enrolled in another program at SLU) or external (enrolled at another college or university) transfer student. Students may apply by Oct. 1 to be considered for spring admission or March 1 for fall admission. 

• Students must have earned a cumulative 3.2 GPA for all prior coursework.
• Per university policy, courses with grades of C or above may be eligible for transfer credit. 
• All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last five years. 
• In-progress coursework must be completed by the semester of entry.
• Provide a personal statement that answers: Why do you want to be a speech-language pathologist?
  • External applicants must submit their personal statement to transfer@slu.edu. 
  • Internal applicants must submit their personal statement to the SLHS undergraduate program director.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

• You must demonstrate English language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are required.

Accreditation 

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential program) at Saint Louis University is accredited 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

For more information about the SLU speech, language and hearing sciences program's student outcomes data (completion rates, Praxis exam pass rates and employment rates), CAA complaint policy and accreditation information, please see the student outcome data and accreditation information below.

View Student Outcome Data and Accreditation Information (PDF) 

Accelerated Program Admission Requirements

Students must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA on their high school transcript and/or on previous university coursework. It is preferred that students apply for the accelerated program when they apply for admission to the SLU B.S. in SLHS, but students could apply their freshman year with the understanding that degree completion could be delayed.

Students can take up to 15 credits at the graduate level while classified as an undergraduate student that could count for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Students must earn a C or better in all SLHS courses. Students are required to re-take any SLHS courses with grades below C.

Requirements to progress into the M.S.

Students must maintain a 3.2 cumulative GPA through the completion of their bachelor’s degree and have obtained a C or better in all SLHS courses.

Continuation Standards

If a student fails to meet the above requirements while in the B.S. program, they will not be able to continue in the accelerated program and will move to the standard track. Students will still be eligible to apply to the post-baccalaureate SLHS Program through the Pre-Select application or Standard application method. In addition, if a student decides to pursue their graduate degree at an institution other than SLU, their intentions must be communicated to the program director no later than the end of spring year 3.

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

*

If Non-Thesis, these 6 credits of Thesis Research will be replaced by 6 credits of graduate-level electives.

†

If a student is Thesis, their 6 credits of Thesis Research would replace these electives.

Program Notes

• With approval, students may take SLHS 4050 (Fall 1 CH) and SLHS 4060 (Spring 1 CH) in place of SLHS 4800 (Spring 2CH)
• SLHS courses listed meet SLU Core and major requirements: SLHS 3000, SLHS 4650, SLHS 4700, SLHS 4800 or SLHS 4060

• If studying abroad in the spring of year two, SLHS 2200 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism (3 cr) should be taken spring of year one.

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu