Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, M.S.
Saint Louis University offers a Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences designed to prepare professionals to provide evidence-based, high-quality services to persons with communication and swallowing disorders. The program focuses on developing clinicians who are prepared to serve culturally and linguistically diverse populations across the lifespan.
To apply to the graduate program, students must have a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders or speech-language pathology. Students interested in the communication sciences and disorders graduate degree with a bachelor's degree in a different discipline can complete the SLU SLHS leveling option before applying.
Program Highlights
- SLU's Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences is a two-year, six-semester program that starts in the summer semester.
- The typical class size is 30 to 40 students.
- Over the past three years, the program’s graduation rate has been 97%, while both the Praxis pass rate and the employment rate of the graduating class are 99%.
- Graduate students will complete a clinical practicum each term.
Curriculum Overview
All graduate students must complete 61 credits, including a required clinical practicum each term. Research students will also complete a thesis for six elective credits.
Students must enroll in five terms (semester or summer) of graduate course credit clinical practicum during their study. Additionally, six credits of off-campus clinical practice are completed during the last semester of study.
Clinical and Research Opportunities
A significant strength of SLU's M.S. in speech, language and hearing sciences is the wide 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 surrounding areas. Research opportunities include independent studies worth 1-2 credits of elective credit or a 6-credit research thesis.
Clinical Practicum Sites
Students will experience at least two separate off-campus clinical placements, often obtaining 50 clinical hours or more at each site. Additionally, students gain experience in SLU's Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. 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.
Careers
Graduates of SLU's M.S. in speech, language and hearing sciences program have gone on to careers at public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics, private practices and universities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics rates speech-language pathology as one of the fastest-growing professions in the country — it’s predicted to grow 25% by 2029. The median annual salary for a speech-language pathologist in 2022 was $84,140.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders or have successfully completed the prerequisite courses in the field.
Individuals with a bachelor's degree in a different discipline are not eligible for admission into the graduate program until completion of the undergraduate prerequisite courses. Students may be eligible for admission into the speech, language and hearing sciences leveling program.
Students must meet clinical practicum eligibility requirements for participation in the required clinical practicum.
Application Requirements
- Application through CSDCAS (The SLU CSDCAS code is 4621.)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Résumé
- Professional goal statement
- Applicants must possess a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 GPA in the major
- Visit (encouraged)
Requirements for International Students
Note: Students must score in the High Intermediate to Advanced range on the TOEFL Reading, Listening and Writing sections and must score in the Advanced range on the TOEFL Speaking section.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- 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
- Any honors or degrees received.
- WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
- In order to be issued an I-20 for your F-1 visa application, students must submit financial documents. Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's 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 the student's study at the University
Assistantship Application Deadline
Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by the date specified on the assistant application.
Review Process
The department admissions committee uses a rolling admission process. Each application and supporting materials is comprehensively reviewed for admission consideration.
Students who are offered admission to the program will receive an assistantship application at the time of their acceptance notification.
The Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences adheres to the national deadline of April 15 to extend offers of admission to applicants as set forth by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Council of Graduate Schools.
Leveling Option
The leveling option is designed for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology and already have a baccalaureate degree in a different discipline. The leveling option's curriculum (29 credits) is based on the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences undergraduate curriculum. It is designed to provide the courses necessary to apply to a graduate program in one of these professions.
See the Roadmap tab for courses in the Leveling Program.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|
| 1st Year | |
| Summer | $5,705 |
| Fall | $13,311 |
| Spring | $13,311 |
| 2nd Year | |
| Summer | $7,610 |
| Fall | $12,361 |
| Spring | $5,705 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
Accreditation
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)
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate compassionate ethical behavior during clinical practice.
- Graduates will be able to apply clinical reasoning to effectively address communication needs across the lifespan.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective interactions with others during academic discourse.
- Graduates will be able to fulfill clinical responsibilities in a professional manner.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to evaluate appropriate information from various sources to effectively implement evidence-based practice.
Students in the speech, language and hearing sciences master's program take the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SLHS 5050 | Research for the Clinician | 2 |
| SLHS 5450 | Speech Sound Disorders in Children | 3 |
| SLHS 5530 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| SLHS 5550 | Early Childhood Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5560 | School-Age Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5600 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5630 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| SLHS 5700 | Voice Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5720 | Neurogenic Communication Disorders in Adults | 3 |
| SLHS 5760 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5770 | Multilingual Communication Disorders | 2 |
| SLHS 5800 | Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SLHS 5820 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| Clinical Practicum | ||
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice (repeatable for up to 5 credits) | 1 |
| SLHS 5012 | Practicum - Campus Clinic (repeatable for up to 3 credits) | 1 |
| SLHS 5015 | Practicum - Offsite Clinic (repeatable for up to 3 credits) | 1-2 |
| SLHS 5910 | Clinical Externship | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select six credits from the following electives OR six credits in thesis: | 6 | |
| Counseling for Speech Language Pathology | ||
| Social Communication Development and Disorders | ||
| Pediatric Dysphagia | ||
| Language Based Literacy Disorders | ||
| Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies | ||
| Advanced Audiology | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Credits | 58 | |
Electives: Six credits of electives are required. Thesis credits may meet the elective requirements and are not required for graduation.
All graduate students must complete 58 credits: 41 academic credits and 17 clinical practicum credits. Students are required to enroll in one of the clinical practicum courses every semester.
It is a requirement of the speech, language and hearing sciences graduate program that all students complete a course in Aural Rehabilitation and Neurological Bases of Communication. Students who have not had these courses as an undergraduate will need to take them in the graduate program in addition to the master’s program requirements.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice | 1 |
| SLHS 5600 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Fall | ||
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice | 1 |
| SLHS 5012 | Practicum - Campus Clinic | 1 |
| SLHS 5050 | Research for the Clinician | 2 |
| SLHS 5450 | Speech Sound Disorders in Children | 3 |
| SLHS 5550 | Early Childhood Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5800 | Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice | 1 |
| SLHS 5012 | Practicum - Campus Clinic | 1 |
| SLHS 5560 | School-Age Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5630 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| SLHS 5720 | Neurogenic Communication Disorders in Adults | 3 |
| SLHS 5770 | Multilingual Communication Disorders | 2 |
| Elective or Thesis hours | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice | 1 |
| SLHS 5012 | Practicum - Campus Clinic | 1 |
| SLHS 5530 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| Elective or Thesis hours | 2 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fall | ||
| SLHS 5010 | Foundations of Contemporary Clinical Practice | 1 |
| SLHS 5015 | Practicum - Offsite Clinic | 2 |
| SLHS 5700 | Voice Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5760 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 5820 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| Elective or Thesis hours | 2 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| SLHS 5910 | Clinical Externship | 6 |
| SLHS 5015 | Practicum - Offsite Clinic | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 58 | |
Leveling Program
The leveling option is designed for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology or audiology and already have a baccalaureate degree in a different discipline. The leveling option's curriculum (29 credits) is based on the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences undergraduate curriculum. It is designed to provide the courses necessary to apply to a graduate program in one of these professions.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SLHS 2000 | Phonetics | 2 |
| SLHS 3200 | Speech & Hearing Science | 3 |
| SLHS 3700 | Speech and Language Development | 3 |
| SLHS 4200 | Audiology: Basic Audiometry | 3 |
| SLHS 4300 | Clinical Methods | 3 |
| SLHS 4350 | Professional Writing & Documentation for the SLP and AuD | 1 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SLHS 2200 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism | 3 |
| SLHS 2400 | Foundations of Language | 3 |
| SLHS 4150 | Survey of Speech & Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 4500 | Neurological Basis of Communication | 3 |
| SLHS 4650 | Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |