Program Coordinator: Dr. Samantha Scripture
Phone: 508-929-8562
Email: sscripture@worcester.edu

Worcester State University offers a graduate program leading to a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. This program is designed to provide a high caliber academic and clinical program for the preparation of speech-language pathologists. The program prepares students for positions in public schools, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, speech-language-hearing clinics, special-care facilities, and private practice. The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential at Worcester State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. The program is also approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Please apply and submit your application on the CSDCAS website.  Admission is considered for the summer start only.

A monthly information session is held between September – May led by the graduate program coordinator to answer any questions about the program or prerequisites. Due to the large number of requests, faculty members are not able to arrange individual meetings with prospective graduate students outside of these monthly sessions. Prospective students are welcome to bring their transcripts to the information session for review by the graduate program coordinator. More information regarding program requirements, contact information for the graduate program coordinator, and dates for the information sessions can be found at: https://www.worcester.edu/MS-Speech-Language-Pathology/

Admissions Requirements

APPLICATION DEADLINE is February 1 for a summer start.

In addition to the WSU Graduate School's general admission requirements, and the Essential Functions for Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited (or its equivalent) college or university.

2. Candidates for admission are required to submit a completed application, which is available on the CSDCAS website, by February 1. Requirements and procedures for admission to graduate studies are specified on the application form. The applicant must comply with these requirements and procedures. Submission of two letters of recommendation is required. Submission of a third letter is optional, and all three may be submitted in CSDCAS.

3. Candidates must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate programs that were part of the bachelor’s degree and all programs where any prerequisite courses were taken, including Worcester State University. 

4. Candidates applying for admission must have taken or currently be enrolled in the following college-level prerequisite courses at the time of application for the master’s degree program. Students completing prerequisites at the time of application must provide evidence of enrollment. Prerequisites may be taken at WSU in the evening as a non-matriculated student or as a day student. Please contact the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education for enrollment information. Day students must complete an “undergraduate non-degree” application. Please contact the undergraduate Admissions Office for additional details at 508-929-8040.

   1. 18 credit hours in basic human communication processes and audiology that includes: anatomy of the speech & hearing mechanism, phonetics, normal development of speech and language, speech science, hearing science, and audiology¹

   2. 3 credit hours in biological sciences²  Biological Science must be human and/or animal biology.

   3. 3 credit hours in human neuroanatomy²  Appropriate course titles include, but are not limited to, Human Neuroanatomy, Human Neuroscience, Physiological Psychology. A neuroanatomy/neuroscience course within a communication sciences and disorders department is acceptable.

   4. 3 credit hours in physical science²  Physical Science must be either physics or chemistry. Courses covering physics and/or chemistry but not explicitly named as such may be used to fulfill the physical science requirement subject to graduate coordinator approval.

   5. 3 credit hours in statistics²

   6. 6 credit hours in the behavioral and/or social sciences² (a course in Developmental Psychology/Child Growth and Development must be included.

5. The majority (>50%) of coursework in basic human communication processes and audiology must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by May 31. These courses must have been completed within the past 7 years.²

6. Twelve of the required 21 credits must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by August 31. These courses must have been completed within the past 7 years

¹

The majority (>50%) of coursework in basic human communication processes and audiology must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by May 31. These courses must have been completed within the past 7 years.

²

12 of the required 21 credits must be completed at the time of application, and if accepted to the program the remaining credits must be completed by August 31. These courses must have been completed within the past 15 years.

Items Needed to Apply:

• Online application found at CSDCAS website
• Responses to four essay prompts 
• Application fee
• Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcript evaluation for any transcript from outside the United States
• An English language proficiency test if the student’s academic background is not in English
• Prerequisites: Anatomy of the Speech & Hearing Mechanism, Phonetics, Normal Development of Speech and Language, Speech Science, Hearing Science, and Audiology (18 credits total); a human and/or animal biology course (3 credits); a course in human neuroanatomy (3 credits); either a physics or chemistry course (3 credits); statistics (3 credits); developmental psychology/child growth and development (3 credits); a behavioral and/or social science course (3 credits)

General Requirements for Program Completion

1. The minimum requirement for a master’s degree in speech-language pathology is fifty-five (55) semester hours of credit.

2. A maximum of six (6) graduate credits of “B” or above taken within two (2) years of the term of admission, at a CAA accredited institution, may be accepted toward the graduate degree. These credits must be transferred as part of the admissions process.

3. Courses are taught in the afternoon, late afternoon and evening. A maximum load is 3-4 courses per semester (i.e. "accelerated" track) and takes two full years including summers to complete. A 3 course per semester load (i.e. "full-time" track) takes two and one-half years including summers to complete. A 2-3 course per semester program (i.e. "part-time" track) would take at least three years including summers to complete.

4. Students must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA while in the Program. Students receiving a grade of C+ or below in an academic course (excluding Clinical Practice courses) must successfully repeat that course and change their program of study. Students may only repeat one course in the program. Students receiving a grade of C+ or below in a clinical assignment* will not receive credit for live hours for that assignment. If students receive a C+ or below with one clinical assignment which results in a grade of C+ or below in any Clinical Practice course, it will count as a single failing grade. Two grades of  C+ or below resulting from any combination of academic courses and/ or clinical assignments will result in dismissal from the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology.
   
   *An assignment during any Clinical Practice Course within the Center or in the field consisting of an individual client, group of clients, assessment of speech, language, and/or hearing, outside placement, screening (also see Center Manual).

5. All work for the degree must be completed within a period of six years.

6. The Dean of Graduate Studies reserves the right to periodically review the performance of graduate students in accordance with the academic standards of the Graduate Program and of Worcester State University.

Curriculum Requirements for a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

Clinical Clock Hours

In addition to academic coursework, students are required to complete 25 hours of observation of clinical work and 375 live hours of participation in diagnostic/therapeutic work in three distinctly different clinical settings. Observation hours and 50 of the live hours may be transferred from the undergraduate level.

Written Comprehensive Examination/Master's Thesis

Students will be expected to submit a passing score from the NESPA examination in Speech-Language Pathology and successful completion of either a departmental comprehensive examination or Master's Thesis prior to graduation.

Communication Disorders Courses

Students who graduate with a Master of Science degree from the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program at Worcester State University will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of mathematics, biological and neurological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences applicable to communication disorders.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of etiologies and characteristics of communication and swallowing disorders.

3. Demonstrate knowledge and clinical proficiency in evaluation skills with a variety of clients.

4. Demonstrate knowledge, develop, and implement plans of intervention with a variety of clients.

5. Demonstrate professional behavior that exemplifies knowledge of ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of professional practice.

6. Use oral, written, and nonverbal communication to communicate clearly, effectively, and appropriately with clients, other professionals, and caregivers.

7. Implement evidence-based clinical practice.

8. Apply knowledge of cultural and linguistic diversity within professional settings.

9. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to interview and counsel clients and caregivers.

10. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to educate and collaborate with clients, other professionals, and caregivers.

11. Demonstrate certification and licensure eligibility including completion of academic and clinical requirements.

12. Develop skills for lifelong learning, professional development, and self-assessment.