Master's Degree In Communication Sciences and Disorders

link to the Application
link to Letter of Intent

Consistent with the mission of the university and the goals of the College of Health Professions, the overall mission of this master's degree program is to educate individuals whose skills and knowledge in the area of speech-language pathology services meet the challenges of a rapidly changing field. Graduates will meet the expanding need in south Georgia, the state, region, and nation. The program will work collaboratively with the speech-language pathology community to improve the quality of speech-language pathology services and enhance the scientific basis of professional practice.

Graduates of this program will:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge and principles necessary for evaluation and treatment of communication impairments across the lifespan.
2. Analyze factors important to diagnosis and treatment plan development.
3. Document and effectively communicate their findings to the clients, their families and other professionals.
4. Meet legal and professional standards of competence and ethics.
5. Employ active learning methods that encourage self-reliance and promote continuous professional development.
6. Integrate theoretical knowledge and therapeutic competencies through group discussions, laboratories and clinical practice.
7. Demonstrate the highest qualities of character and ethical behavior as well as the knowledge, skills, and disposition that support scholarship, professionalism, technology, and diversity.
8. Meet the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) requirements as developed by ASHA.

A. Prerequisites

1. Effective oral and written communication skills.

2. A knowledge of the scope of speech-language pathology practice. Minimal satisfaction of this criterion will a baccalaureate degree in the field of speech-language pathology.

3. A knowledge of computers and computer software applications.

4. Involvement in extracurricular activities and community service.

5. Certification in child and adult CPR and basic first aid.

6. Immunizations and physical exams as required of all Armstrong Atlantic State University students.

7. A minimum grade point average of 2.7.

B. Regular Admission

1. Applicants must complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology/Communication Sciences and Disorders from a regionally accredited institution.

2. Regular admission requires a 450 on each section of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam): verbal, and quantitative sections, and an a 4.5 on the analytical section.

For students whose second language is English, a score of 523 paper-based score or 193 computer-based score or better on the TOEFL may be substituted for the verbal GRE score.

3. The following documents are required for admission to the master of education program in speech-language pathology: Armstrong Atlantic State University graduate school application, speech-language pathology program application, college transcripts, official test scores, four letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, professional liability insurance and health insurance.

4. Meeting the minimum criteria for application for graduate school does not guarantee admission to the speech-language pathology program. It should be noted that the pool of applicants for the speech-language pathology program includes many highly qualified applicants, and the number of available positions is limited. Therefore, admission to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program is highly competitive.

C. Provisional Admission

1. Completed requirements for a baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology from a regionally-accredited institution.

2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50.

3 A score of at least 400 on the verbal section, 400 on the quantitative Graduate Record Examination, and a 3.5 on the analytical section. For students whose second language is English, a score of 523 paper-based score or 193 computer-based score or better on the TOEFL may be substituted for the verbal GRE score.

4. The following documents are required for admission to the Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders Program : Armstrong Atlantic State University graduate school application, Communication Sciences and Disorders Program application, college transcripts, official test scores, four letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, professional liability insurance and health insurance.

5. Meeting the minimum criteria for application to graduate school does not guarantee admission to the speech-language pathology program. It should be noted that the pool of applicants for the speech-language pathology program includes many highly qualified applicants, and the number of available positions is limited. Therefore, admission to the speech-language pathology program is highly competitive.

D. Admissions Process

1. Applications are available at the beginning of each academic year. Applicants must obtain the most recent speech-language pathology application packet from the graduate school office. This application packet outlines the steps in the application process and contains the speech- language pathology program application form.

2. The deadline for receipt of the written application and all support materials is the last Friday in February of each year.

3. Written applications and support materials are reviewed and a limited number of applicants are accepted into the program.

A. Program Progression Requirements

1. Students must maintain a B average or better. If the student's average falls below 3.0, the student will have one probationary semester to earn the required B average or better. If the average is not raised to a B or better in that term, the student will be dismissed from the program.

2. Students must adhere to American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Code of Ethics and guide for professional practices and the state of Georgia's rules and regulations governing the practice of speech-language pathology. The program provides copies of, and instruction in, all of these policies. Students who violate these rules and regulations will be dismissed from the program and are ineligible for readmission.

3. The program occurs in five consecutive semesters, which includes summer. Students are admitted as full-time. If the student is not enrolled for 2 consecutive semesters, that student must reapply for admission.

4. Students must complete the program within seven years.

5. Students who do not complete the program in seven years must reapply for admission. Those students must begin to meet the program requirements in effect at the time of readmission. For clarification, refer to Readmission Procedures C.1-3.

6. Students must annually present evidence of professional liability insurance, health/medical insurance and first aid/CPR certification. In additional, students may need to provide evidence of preventative inoculations depending on extern placements.

B. Graduation Requirements

1. Students must apply for graduation two semesters before the date of graduation. The program of study, signed by the student, advisor, and program coordinator, must be forwarded to the dean of graduate studies.

2. The student must submit a comprehensive assessment application and a signed program of study to the graduate coordinator.

3. Students must take the Praxis II examination in speech-language pathology and present a score of 600 or higher to the graduate advisor. If the student's score is less than 600, the student will be required to earn an 80% or higher on the comprehensive assessment developed by the program.

4. Students must maintain a B average or better in the program.

5. Students must accumulate a minimum of 400 client contact hours as described by the AASU SLP program and guidelines set forth by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

6. Students must complete all requirements of the KASA and provide a hard copy to the program.

C. Readmission Requirements

1. The student must complete the readmission application for AASU and the speech-language pathology major.

2. The student will be required to meet admission and requirements in effect at the time of application for readmission.

3. The student's admission will be based upon space available in the class into which the former student is seeking admission and recommendation of the department faculty.

4. The student who has been dismissed for inability to meet minimum grade requirements or ethics violations is NOT eligible for readmission.

III. Program of Study

A. Professional Education

FOUN 7060 Educational Research…………………………………….…3

B. Specialized Content (33 semester hours)

SLPA 7140 Diagnosis and Appraisal of Communication

Disorders………………………………………………………3

SLPA 7142 Speech-Language Pathology Program

Administration…………………………………………………3

SLPA 7143 Child-Language Impairments………………………………..3

SLPA 7144 Neuro-anatomy and physiology……………………………..3

SLPA 7148 Oral and Speech Motor Disorders…………………………..3

SLPA 7149 Aural Rehabilitation…………………………………………...3

SLPA 7150 Adult Language Impairments…………….…………………..3

SLPA 7156 Voice and Fluency Disorders…………….…………………..3

SLPA 7157 Articulatory and Phonological Disorders..…………………..3

SLPA 7153 Practicum I – AASU Clinic……………………………………2

SLPA 7154 Practicum II – Educational Setting…………………………..2

SLPA 7155 Practicum III – Medical Setting………………………………2

Total……………………………………………………………………………………36

* Total 36 semester hours of course work and accumulation of a minimum of 400

client contact hours as described by the AASU SLP program and guidelines

set forth by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

* A maximum of 6 credit hours of course work approved by the SLP faculty may

be transferred from another institution.

* Plan of study may reflect additional courses required to meet certification standards as

mandated by the KASA and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

COURSE OFFERINGS

Prerequisite: completion of 25 observation hours

Instruments, principles and practices in the assessment of populations with communication impairments. This includes non-verbal, culturally diverse, preschool and school aged children, and adults. Field experiences required.

SLPA 7142 Speech-Language Pathology Program Administration

Implementation and administration of speech-language pathology programs in a variety of therapeutic settings. Topics include the ASHA Code of Ethics, legal issues, confidentiality, documentation, scheduling, service delivery models and professional practices according to Georgia State regulations.

Prerequisite: SLPA 3150 or equivalent.

Case studies emphasizing the etiology, assessment, and treatment of language impairments in children. Field experience may be required.

SLPA 7144 Neuro-anatomy and Physiology

In-depth study of neuroanatomy and physiology along with characteristics, etiology, assessment, and therapeutic management of neurogenic communication disorders across the lifespan. Field experiences may be required.

SLPA 7148 Oral and Speech Motor Disorders

Prerequisite: SLPA 7140 & 7144 or equivalents

Emphasis is on oral-motor issues affecting feeding, dysphagia, apraxia and the dysarthrias.

SLPA 7149 Aural Rehabilitation

Prerequisite: SLPA 3410 or equivalent

Principles of hearing and issues of intervention relevant to the practice of speech-language pathology. Study of hearing impairment, etiological factors associated with auditory habilitation and the effective use of amplification. Field experiences may be required.

Prerequisite: SLPA 3150 or equivalent.

Case studies emphasizing the etiology, assessment, and treatment of language impairments in adults. Field experience may be required.

Prerequisite: SLPA 7140

Detailed study of anatomical structures of the larynx. Classification, etiology, evaluation and therapeutic management of voice disorders across the life span, including alaryngeal rehabilitation. Review of theories, types, characteristic, etiologies, and treatment methods of fluency disorders across the life span. Field experience may be required.

Prerequisites: SLPA 3150 or equivalent & SLPA 2250 or equivalent

Case studies emphasizing the etiology, assessment, and treatment of articulatory and phonological disorders across the life-span. Field experience may be required.

SLPA 7153 Practicum I – AASU Clinic

A practicum course designed to provide instruction and practice experience in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to communication impairments in children, youth and/or adults being served in a clinic setting.

SLPA 7154 Practicum II – Educational Setting

A practicum course designed to provide instruction and practical experience in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to communication impairments in children and youth served in an educational setting.

SLPA 7155 Practicum III – Medical Setting

A practicum course designed to provide instruction and practical experience in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to communication impairments in adults and children being served in a medical setting.