Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech-Language Pathology
The primary goal for our master's program is the training of competent speech-language pathologists who will critically evaluate communication disorders and the methods used in the habilitation and rehabilitation of those disorders.
The program is completed over six (6) academic terms of full-time study. Students wishing to complete the master's without the clinical component (not seeking licensure and certification in speech-language pathology) can complete the program over five (5) academic terms of full-time study and includes the following:
- 14 courses in the different disorders of speech, language, and swallowing
- two courses in normal processes
- one course in research methodology
The curriculum PROVIDES:
- information on language disorders of children and adults (including those resulting from cognitive-communicative disorders)
- communication disorders of those with complex and significant impairments
- phonological disorders
- disorders of swallowing, voice, rhythm, and hearing
Clinical practicum is provided in both on- and off-campus locations for those seeking clinical licensure and certification in speech-language pathology. The master's program typically requires two years of full-time study depending on the student's practicum needs.
Most students complete the program on time, pass the praxis, and are employed in the field following graduation. For complete outcome data, see Student Outcome Data.
Early Intervention Certificate
Students who are interested in working with young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities are encouraged to apply to work towards their Early Intervention Certificate, a collaborative venture with the Special Education Program. The Kent State Early Intervention Certificate program prepares students to be Developmental Specialists in the State of Ohio. This qualification would be in addition to their MA in SLP and ASHA certification in Speech Language Pathology. Students who opt to participate in this program add three semester, or one full year, to their MA program. For more information, contact Dr. Sloane Burgess (sburges8@kent.edu) or Dr. Sanna Harjusola-Webb (shwebb@kent.edu).
M.A. Requirements for Speech Language Pathology
To view the curriculum for your plan of study, click on the link below that corresponds with the semester you would begin your graduate coursework.
Starting graduate coursework in the Fall semester.
Starting graduate coursework in the Spring semester (only available to Kent State undergraduates)
** Students who elect a thesis option (SPA 64199) must register for 6 semester hours and will, accordingly, have a total of 49 hours for the program.
Note:
These courses represent the academic requirements for the M.A. degree. Registration in a Clinical Practicum course each semester will be necessary to meet requirements for ASHA certification. Other course requirements may be necessary to address any deficiencies in reference to ASHA certification standards.
Review Application Procedures for the M.A. Program
Clinical Practicum
The clinical practicum experience at Kent State University allows graduate students to gain supervised clinical experience through application of the knowledge and theory gained in the classroom by working directly with experienced and skilled clinical instructors. Our program has a thriving on-campus speech-language clinic that serves the university and the community and averages over 4,000 visits per year. The caseload is varied and gives students experience in providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to a broad clientele base.
Clients are children and adults who present with a variety of communication needs related to speech, language (including English as Second Language), social skills, voice, fluency, hearing, and cognition, swallowing and augmentative communication. Graduate students are typically assigned to work in our on-campus clinic for their first three to four semesters in our program. Our graduate program requires that students complete 25 hours of ASHA-compliant clinical observation prior to beginning clinical practicum, so students must be prepared to provide official documentation of those hours upon arrival to our graduate program. Observations must be within the scope of practice of speech-language pathology.
In the last two semesters of the program, students participate in semester-long full-time culminating experiences at off-campus sites such as schools (leading to eligibility for the Ohio Department Education Pupil Personnel License), hospitals, rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities. Our program provides students with a liaison for each off-campus experience. The liaison provides support and works to ensure that the student, the supervisor and the site have the best experience possible. We are proud that community agencies welcome our student clinicians and that our program's reputation allows us to place students in settings that are outside our immediate geographic area.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology license to practice, as well as American Speech-Language Hearing Association certification.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to apply for Speech-Language Pathology licensure in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for those state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure. Completion of this program’s requirements may also come with eligibility to apply for licensure as a P12 practitioner in the State of Ohio, as approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Kent State University encourages an atmosphere in which the diversity of its members is understood and appreciated. It is the policy of the university that there shall be no unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, genetic information, military status, or identity as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, recently separated veteran, or other protected veteran.