INTRODUCTION
The Department of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP). This graduate program prepares students to become credentialed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who assess and treat individuals with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders and differences across the lifespan. Students have the option to pursue a concentration in bilingual (Spanish-English) service delivery in addition to the standard graduate program.
The standard MS SLP program is 69 total credits (42 credits of didactic coursework + 27 credits of clinical practica). The MS SLP program plus the concentration in bilingual service provision is 75 total credits (48 credits of didactic coursework + 27 credits of clinical practica).
The Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology at Metropolitan State University of Denver is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. This is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of five years.
MISSION AND GOALS
The mission of the MS SLP is to provide a diverse urban population with an inclusive graduate program committed to the interprofessional education and cultural responsiveness of students seeking clinical certification in speech-language pathology. Amidst changing landscapes in education and healthcare, our program encourages students to think critically and make informed decisions.
We prioritize values that reflect those of the university at large including a shared commitment to community, accessibility, diversity and respect. The goals of the MS SLP program are to:
- Offer an affordable and accessible pathway to a career in speech-language pathology.
- Implement comprehensive academic and clinical curriculum utilizing evidence-based practice.
- Educate clinical scientists who use research to make informed, ethical decisions.
- Apply faculty expertise across classroom, clinic, and community.
- Promote interprofessional education through institutional partnerships.
- Prioritize cultural responsiveness with option to pursue a concentration in bilingual service provision.
- Nurture lifelong learning with the goal of continuously improving clinical service provision.
More information on the MS SLP program can be found on the SLHS department’s website.
ADMISSIONS
The SLHS Department is committed to recruitment processes that are inclusive of diverse students as well as admission principles that account for the diversity of applicants’ education and experiential background. Admission criteria are designed to capture the applicants’ strengths and compatibility with the MS SLP’s core values: community, accessibility, diversity and respect.
Application Process
Students apply to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at MSU Denver through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) and submit associated application fee. Applications must be completed in CSDCAS by the posted deadline to be considered for the current application cycle. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants will be notified via email of their application status. Applicants may be admitted, waitlisted or denied admission.
To be considered for admission to the MS SLP program, students must demonstrate:
- Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Evidence of a cumulative GPA in prerequisite SLHS coursework greater than or equal to 3.0.
Application materials include:
- Resume
- Written responses to several short essay questions
- Letters of recommendation from academic references
Additional requirements may include:
- Writing sample
- In-person or virtual interview
Students indicate interest in the bilingual concentration when they accept offers of admission. Students must demonstrate native or near-native proficiency with Spanish through either standardized assessment of speaking and writing and/or conversational exchange with native Spanish speakers to be eligible for the concentration in bilingual service provision.
Prerequisite Coursework
The following prerequisite coursework must be completed at the college-level in advance of program start in adherence to the Standards of the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. While the number of credits is not specified, each must be a standalone course.
- Coursework in biological sciences
- Coursework in physical sciences (physics or chemistry)
- Coursework in social/behavioral sciences
- Coursework in statistics
An undergraduate major in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences is not required. However, students must have completed the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or higher:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
- Clinical Phonetics
- Diagnostic Audiology
- Language Acquisition and Development
- Language Disorders and Differences
- Neural Bases of Communication and its Disorders
- Principles of Assessment and Intervention
- Rehabilitative Audiology
- Speech Disorders and Differences
- Speech Science
Program leadership will only consider requests for course substitutions with sufficient documentation that includes but is not limited to a course syllabus that details learning outcomes, content covered and evaluation metrics.
Students who possess a bachelor’s degree in another field are encouraged to explore our Leveling Certificate in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences. Completing coursework as a non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission into the MS SLP program. Please visit the SLHS Department for more information.
Upon entering the MS SLP program, students must provide evidence of having completed a minimum of 25 observation hours of direct service provision with an ASHA-certified SLP or audiologist. Only activities that fall under the SLP scope of practice may be applied towards the observation requirement.
International Applicants
International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by obtaining a baccalaureate degree from a university in which English is the primary language of instruction and is required for all evaluations (written and oral), or through TOEFL administration, with a minimum score of 20 in each section, and a total score minimum of 90.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Prior Learning Assessment
In general, no credit is given for prior learning experience derived from employment or other life experience.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available for graduate students. Visit Financial Aid for more information.
Academic Policies
All MS SLP policies/procedures can be found in the MS SLP program handbook available to all current MS SLP students. A handbook of clinical policies and procedures is also provided to all current students.
Specific policies/processes of the MS SLP program are described below.
- Students are required to meet individually with program leadership at least twice during each year of the program.
- Students are expected to complete the program in six semesters starting in the summer and graduating 23 months later at the end of spring semester. Students must follow the standard plan of study for all didactic coursework and clinical practicum experiences unless formal approval is granted by the Program Director.
- Students must complete the required didactic and clinical coursework while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- No course grade lower than a “B-” counts towards degree completion.
- All students are required to complete a summative portfolio as part of their degree requirements. The summative portfolio includes specific artifacts from various points throughout the student’s program of study along with a narrative of how their knowledge and skills have progressed over time. Post-graduation, the portfolio may function as a personalized professional development plan for students. Alterations to the format of the summative portfolio require formal approval by the Program Director.
- A committee of at least three faculty/staff from the MS SLP program will holistically evaluate each student’s portfolio. Students must receive a “meets expectations” designation on the summative portfolio rubric in partial fulfillment of the MS SLP requirements. Students who receive an unsatisfactory rating (“below expectations”) on their summative portfolio will be put on an individualized, written Competency Attainment Plan (see below).
- The Department follows a published process to address issues that may create obstacles to student success during any part of their graduate program. The policy and its procedures, including the use of an individualized, written Competency Attainment Plan can be found in the program handbook.
- The MS SLP program will adhere to MSU Denver’s Student Code of Conduct and Academic Responsibilities including its statement on academic integrity as well as the principles of ethics described in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Code of Ethics. Violations of program policies for academic and clinical integrity will be addressed through a Continuation Review in tandem with procedures established by MSU Denver’s Dean of Students. Results of the Student Performance Review may result in modifications to the student’s plan of study, removal from the clinical practicum with a failing grade, and/or dismissal from the program.
- At the end of a student’s program of study, the Program Director and Director of Clinical Education will confirm that the student has successfully completed all academic and clinical requirements of the MS SLP program and has demonstrated the knowledge and skill outcomes consistent with published standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
