Speech-Language Pathology: The UDC Edge
The curriculum provides students exposure to major areas of communication, including articulation and phonology, fluency, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language, hearing (including the impact on speech and language), swallowing, cognitive aspects of communication, social aspects of communication, and communication modalities. Students have multiple opportunities to engage in interprofessional educational experiences, simulated learning experiences, research forums, career fairs, and practica in a variety of educational and healthcare settings. Students are provided opportunities to work with individuals across the lifespan and the continuum of care, including Early Intervention, School-Age (K-12), Geriatrics, Special Population Adults, University Students, and Working Professionals. Student clinical experiences include individuals with diverse backgrounds relative to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, educational level, communication abilities, culture, and language.
Qualifying Examination
Students must successfully complete a thesis or the qualifying examination administered by the Program. Those electing to take the qualifying examination must sit for the exam during the spring semester of their first year of graduate study. Students have two opportunities to take the exam. Two failures result in dismissal from the program.
Curriculum Requirements
The Master of Science in speech-language pathology requires 57 credit hours (not including credit hours for prerequisite coursework for students without a background); a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised practicum, of which a minimum of 375 must be in direct client/patient contact, and at least 25 in clinical observation. At least 325 of the 375 clock hours must be at the graduate level.
Prerequisite courses: The following courses are required for students without an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology
