Mar 28, 2024  
UofM 2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
UofM 2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Speech-Language Pathology, (MA)


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MA Degree Program


Program Admission


  1. The admissions committee will review all completed applications. The deadline for applications is February 1 each year for the follow Fall semester. Students with background in Communication Sciences and Disorders are admitted in the fall semester only. Students with background in other areas are admitted in the summer semester. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.00 (on a 4 point system). GRE scores are required (General Test). Application instructions are available online at www.memphis.edu/csd/programs/profapply.php.  Applicants should follow the application instructions on the website for current procedures.

  2. Applicants should submit recommendations from at least three individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic background and aptitude for graduate work in Speech-Language Pathology and submit a personal statement describing his/her professional goals and preparation for study in Speech-Language Pathology.

  3. Students are expected to understand and use English proficiently.

Background Requirements


  1. To be considered for admission, all applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Previous academic preparation in audiology/speech-language pathology is not a requirement for admission.
  2. Non-CSD basic science coursework necessary to meet U of M graduation, ASHA certification, and State Licensure includes:
    • Biological Science (3)

    • Statistics (3)

    • Behavioral/Social Science (6)

    • Physical Science (3)

If college-level credits for these courses have not been earned upon enrollment, they will need to be completed during the MA graduate program.

General Program Requirements


  1. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours and meet the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Additional coursework will be required for those students without undergraduate preparation in audiology/speech-language pathology.
  2. Full time study requires enrollment in clinical practicum, and students must obtain a 3.00 or above in at least 9 semester hours of clinical practicum, and must obtain a 3.00 or above in their last two semesters of clinical practicum.  A minimum of 14 credit hours of AUSP 7200  and AUSP 7208 /AUSP 8208  must be taken, but more hours may be required in order to meet certification standards.  

  3. A thesis or non-thesis option is available. Students choosing the non-thesis option must take a minimum of 3 credits of either AUSP 7990 - Special Projects  or AUSP 7991 - Clinical-Research Colloquium  or a combination of both. NOTE: Students electing to write a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.

  4. All students must successfully complete written comprehensive examinations.

Retention Requirements


All students enrolled in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders are expected to attain high academic achievement and maintain professional and ethical conduct. In addition to Graduate School policy the criteria listed below will be used to determine the retention status of students enrolled in the School.

General Academic Performance:


  1. Grades of less than 2.0 in required courses are considered unacceptable and must be repeated with a minimum grade of 2.00 in order to meet graduation requirements.
  2. A student may count two grades of 2.00 toward their degree.Students have the option of repeating two courses in which a grade of 2.00 or less was earned. The student will be dismissed at the end of the semester in which a third grade of 2.00 or less has been earned.
  3. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 at the end of each semester of enrollment at the University of Memphis. A GPA below 3.00 across two consecutive semesters may be grounds for dismissal.

Professional Performance:


  1. Because the MA in Speech-Language Pathology is a professional practice degree, satisfactory acquisition of knowledge and skills for certification as prescribed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is required. Failure to achieve any of these standards for clinical performance may result in dismissal from the program.
  2. The cumulative grade of the first two semesters of clinical practicum (7200/7208) must be a B- (2.67) or greater. A cumulative clinic grade for the last five semesters must be at least 3.00. Students must obtain a B (3.00) or better in each of their last 2 semesters.
  3. Students may be dismissed for any of the following:
  • Failure to maintain appropriate standards of academic integrity or CSD Policies.
  • Failure to follow the ASHA Code of Ethics.
  • Failure to follow HIPAA guidelines.
  • Failure to meet essential functions as specified in CSD Policy Number E-120.
  • A grade of 1.67 or lower in clinic practicum will mandate a review within the School and may be grounds for dismissal.

Specific Requirements


Professional Background Coursework (6 hours, may be taken at the University of Memphis):


  1. Audiology: Hearing Disorders/Evaluation (3),
  2. Habilitation/Rehabilitation (3)

Speech-Language Pathology Minimum Degree Requirements:


(Required courses are marked with *, all others are electives)

Certification and State Licensure


School degree requirements meet the academic and clinical training requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, teacher certification, and state licensure.

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