Master of Science Degree: Overview and Admissions

Program Overview

Our master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology fully prepares graduate students to meet all of the academic and clinical requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in Speech-Language Pathology.

• The coursework covers communication disorders across the lifespan and includes clinical training in the University of Arizona Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinics and a wide range of pediatric and adult clinical practicum sites in the community.
• The clinical degree includes training in research methods and the principles of evidence-based practice, and students have the option to complete a thesis, but it is not required. Our students have the opportunity to engage in research, and many become co-authors on peer-reviewed publications (See recent publications with student co-authors).
• A Bilingual Certificate Program is available to students pursing the Master’s Degree in Speech-Langauge Pathology.

A non-clinical Master of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MS-SLHS) is available for students who choose not to pursue clinical training, or to complete the PhD, but complete the appropriate coursework and a thesis.

Program Description and Requirements

A detailed description of the academic and clinical training requirements is included in the M.S. Student Handbook:

• Overview of the SLHS Department (Faculty, Courses, Research)
• Master of Science Student Handbook (MS Cactus Book) for students admitted in 2012-2013 
• Master of Science Student Handbook (MS Cactus Book) for students admitted in 2011-2012
• Recommended Coursework for Graduate Study in Speech-Language Pathology    
• Course Descriptions

Accreditation and Clinical Certification

• Our master’s degree program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
• You can read the Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology on the ASHA website.
• The master’s program provides the necessary academic and clinical training to meet ASHA Certification requirements, as well as the Arizona Department of Health Services Licensing requirements. See Arizona Department of Health Services- Occupational Licensing.
• Information regarding the licensing requirements for individual states is available from on the ASHA website.

Admissions

The faculty members of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences are committed to providing graduate education, both academic and clinical, of the highest quality.  We are also committed to increasing the number of well‑qualified speech-language pathologists whose backgrounds are underrepresented and whose career interests include serving individuals in underserved populations of the state and nation. We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, with undergraduate degrees in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (or Communication Sciences and Disorders) or with undergraduate degrees in other fields.

Applicants to the graduate program should have completed a minimum of coursework in the following areas:

• A minimum for one course in each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, behavioral/social sciences, mathematics, and statistics.
• Foundational coursework that covers acoustics, anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism, speech and language development, and disorders of speech and language. This foundational work can be completed at another institution, as a non-degree seeking graduate student, or as part of our 3-year master’s program.

All applicants must apply on-line through the UA Graduate College and pay necessary fees.

• The application process will include submission of academic transcripts, GRE scores, personal statement and resume, letters of recommendation.
• Each of the components of the application are evaluated and admissions decisions are based on overall composite ratings.
• Guidelines for minimum requirements are indicated below, but note that strong overall composite ratings can override individual scores.
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or better (Graduate School requirement)
  • GRE Scores at about the 30th percentile or better
    • Verbal score ~147 on the new scale; ~400 on the old scale
    • Quantitative score ~147 on the new scale; ~570 on the old scale
    • Writing score of 3.5 or better
  • Meet the Technical Standards for Speech-Language Pathology

You can schedule a visit to campus any time, but we have special 2013 student visitation dates were March 18, 22, and 25. Similar dates will be selected for 2014. Please contact Denise Minopoli (minopold@email.arizona.edu) for more information. The application process for 2013-2014 is now closed.

A Typical Successful Applicant

The typical successful applicant has:

• Grade point average of 3.7 or better on the last 60 units
• GRE Verbal score at 70th percentile or better
• GRE Quantitative score at 60th percentile or better
• GRE Writing score of 4.0 or better (60th percentile)
• experience in research, volunteerism, and/or a solid work history,
• a well-written personal statement indicating interest in the field and experiences related to career aspirations
• 3 strong letters of reference written by individuals who can comment on potential for success in the graduate program and the profession of speech-language pathology, as well as leadership skills in classroom and community.

Note that this descriptive information regarding the types of students admitted to our program in recent years, rather than acceptance criteria.

Frequently asked questions by prospective students

International applicants should review the UA Graduate College website for specific admission requirements, and should carefully review the Technical Standards for Speech-Language Pathology.

Student Outcome Data
Rate of Program Completion in Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology Certification Examination (PRAXIS) Pass Rate

All UA students have passed the Speech-Language Pathology Certification Examination. The average PRAXIS score for UA graduates for the past 4 years was well above the national average (738 vs. 672).

Employment Rate in Speech-Language Pathology of UA Graduates

All of our students successfully gain employment in speech-language pathology after graduation.

Off-Site Clinical Opportunities »