Prerequisite Coursework
Your application to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology must show that you have completed or are in the process of completing all the required prerequisite coursework before the graduate program begins in September.
1. Communication Sciences & Disorders Foundational Coursework Requirements
Our requirements for communications sciences and disorders foundational coursework are based on ASHA’s 2027 Speech-Language Pathology Standards IV-B:
"The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate acoustic, biologic, cultural, developmental, genetic, embryologic, linguistic, neurologic, and psychological bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to typical and atypical human development across the life span.”
Your application should demonstrate that you have completed courses that address the topics in communication sciences and disorders listed in the table below. A single course may cover one or multiple topics within its curriculum.
Topics in Communication Sciences & Disorders
Speech includes anatomy and physiology, development, typical and atypical processes, clinical methods for assessment and treatment.
- Anatomy and physiology of speech - the structures, functions and processes involved in the speech production systems; respiration, phonation, articulation, resonance, nervous systems, etc.
- Speech science - production, transmission and perception of speech, methods for quantifying and analyzing
- Speech sound development - basic processes and timelines related to speech sound acquisition in humans
- Phonetics and transcription - articulatory and acoustic features of phonemes of American English, how spoken language in its variations can be transcribed by clinicians using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
- Pediatric and adult speech disorders - types, etiologies, signs/symptoms of speech disorder; articulation, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, stuttering, voice, resonance, etc.
- General principles and practices for clinical assessment and treatment
Language includes neural bases, development, typical and atypical processes, clinical methods for assessment and treatment
- Neural bases of language - the nervous system structures, functions and processes involved in language expression and comprehension
- Language science - how techniques of linguistic analysis - morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics -are used by clinicians to understand communication capacities in individuals
- Language development - basic processes and timelines related to language acquisition in humans
- Pediatric and adult language disorders - types, etiologies, signs and symptoms of language disorders; phonological, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, alexia, agraphia, aphasia, etc.
- General principles and practices for clinical assessment and treatment
Cognition includes neural bases, development, typical and disordered processes
- Neural bases of cognition - the nervous system structures, functions and processes involved in language organization, attention, memory, sequencing, problem solving, and executive function
- Cognitive development - core processes related to the acquisition of perception, attention, memory, executive function, and reasoning, across the lifespan in humans
- Pediatric and adult cognitive-communication disorders - types, etiologies, signs and symptoms of cognitive-communication disorders; neurodevelopmental disorders, acquired brain injury, right hemisphere disorder, neurodegenerative disorders, etc.
Swallowing includes the study of the anatomy and physiology, and typical and atypical processes.
- Anatomy and physiology of swallowing - the structures, functions and processes involved in the swallowing and feeding systems; oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, nervous systems, etc.
- Pediatric and adult swallowing/feeding disorders - types, etiologies, signs and symptoms of swallowing & feeding disorders; oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, etc.
Hearing includes the study of the anatomy and physiology, typical and atypical processes, and clinical methods for assessment and treatment.
- Anatomy and physiology of hearing - the structures, functions and processes involved in the hearing system; outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, nervous systems, etc.
- Hearing science - principles of sound and vibration, perception and transmission of sound, acoustical and physiological properties of typical hearing systems, methods for quantifying auditory perception
- Pediatric and adult hearing disorders - types, etiologies, signs and symptoms of hearing disorders; outer, middle and inner ear
- General principles and practices for clinical assessment and treatment - pure tone and speech audiometry, physiological testing, hearing aids, cochlear implants, aural rehabilitation, etc.
Person- and family-centered practices and issues - coursework that addresses respect and consideration of individual values, attitudes, beliefs, circumstances, experiences, modes of communication and preferences, including cultural and linguistic expectations, differences and histories
2. Basic Science & Statistics Course Requirements
Our requirements for science and statistic coursework are based on ASHA’s 2027 Speech-Language Pathology Standards IV-A:
“Applicants must complete academic coursework in (a) biology, (b) chemistry or physics, (c) social and/or behavioral sciences, and (d) statistics and/or research methods."
Topics in Basic Science & Statistics
Biological sciences coursework provides knowledge in areas related to human or animal sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science).
Chemistry or physics coursework provides foundational knowledge in the areas below.
- Chemistry: Substances and compounds composed of atoms and molecules, and their structure, properties, behavior, as well as the changes that occur during reactions with other compounds. This knowledge contributes to better acquisition and synthesis of the underlying processes of speech and hearing science.
- Physics: Matter, energy, motion, and force. This knowledge contributes to better appreciation of the role of physics in everyday experiences and in today's society and technology.
Social/behavioral sciences coursework provides knowledge in the analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through controlled and naturalistic observation and disciplined scientific experimentation.
Statistics and/or research methods coursework focuses on learning from data and measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty. It provides the navigation essential for controlling the course of scientific and societal advances.
Contact us if you believe one course you have taken can be used to fulfill two prerequisite topics. We'll evaluate the course descriptions or syllabi to determine if the content provides the foundational knowledge outlined in the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology's guidance for acceptable coursework.
3. Guided Observation Hours Requirement (Minimum of 25 hours)
Before beginning the program in September, you must provide documentation showing that you have completed 25 hours of guided observation of speech-language pathology service delivery as outlined in ASHA’s 2027 Speech-Language Pathology Standard V-C:
"Twenty five (25) clock hours of observation of activities within the Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology that are followed by a guided debrief with a clinical educator who meets the requirements specified in Standard V-E.”
How to Conduct Guided Observations
Successful guided observation includes observing clinical services, debriefing with a clinical educator, and documenting it.
Observe 25 hours of live or recorded sessions across different clinical settings with a variety of clients or patients receiving services for a variety of disorders.
After you observe a session, you should communicate with your clinical educator in the form of a debriefing activity. Examples of debriefing activities include written reports or summaries reflecting on a video recording, discussing the therapy or evaluation procedures from a live session, analyzing how the session observed aligned with a course lesson, or reviewing written records from an observation.
Collect evidence of your guided observations by logging the hours, dates, and types of activities you observed alongside signatures from your clinical educator.