The Master of Arts degree (MA) program in speech-language pathology is designed to provide the academic and practicum experiences that will develop clinical competence in the management of speech, hearing, and language disorders.
The program offers sequential and simultaneous academic coursework, supervised clinical practicum, and research experiences that enable students to meet the requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Successful completion of the program also requires the satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination in speech-language pathology. Graduate courses are offered in the evening with clinical practicums and seminars during the day.
Two program options are available in the speech-language pathology graduate program as follows:
| M.A. With a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology | M.A. Without a background in speech pathology | |
| Minimum semester hours *minimum hours may increase based on current ASHA requirements |
Minimum 36 semester hours | 18 prerequisite semester credit hours and 36 semester credit hours |
| Program completion | 2 years/6 semesters | 3 years/9 semesters |
| Thesis | Optional *will extend your program* | Optional *will extend your program* |
| Semester course requirements | See Graduate Program of Study | See Graduate Program of Study |
| Time limits for degree completion | All required course work must be completed within 6 years | All required course work must be completed within 6 years |
| Application for gradation | Graduation Eligibility form Graduation Application Exit survey | Graduation Eligibility form Graduation Application Exit survey |
| Advising | Once per semester with graduate advisor to review POS and academic good standing | Once per semester with graduate advisor to review POS and academic good standing |
| Praxis II | Praxis must be taken prior to graduation. (During SPA 593) Passing Score = 162 or better | Praxis must be taken prior to graduation. (During SPA 593) Passing Score = 162 or better |
*Each student must have obtained at least 400 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum prior to graduation. Twenty-five (25) hours must be spent in clinical observation, and 375 in direct client/patient contact. At least 325 of the 400 clock hours must be completed at the graduate level.
*All policies and procedures on academic course work and clinical practicum are updated periodically in accordance with guidelines established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the state of South Carolina regarding accreditation, certification, and licensure. All current changes will be listed in the SPA Graduate Student Handbook, which is distributed upon admission to the program.