Academic Catalog

CSD | Master of Science: Speech-Language Pathology

Program Summary

The M.S. program in speech-language pathology at FHSU is an on-campus program that prepares students for clinical certification by ASHA and professional licensure by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability. The program has been named one of the top SLP programs by www.speechpathologygraduateprograms.org.

Student outcome data has exceeded the accreditation requirements regularly. Click on the links below for more detailed information regarding the Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at FHSU.

Students can review the Functions for Practitioners in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or learn more about Clinical Education Opportunities offered through our program. Potential graduate students should review our Graduate Application Process for step-by-step instructions on applying to the graduate program. Here is a link listing the required pre-requisite coursework required for application into graduate school.  

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum for the Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at FHSU is provided below. These courses address the 2020 Speech Language Pathology Standards identified by the Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC, 2020). 
Required Academic FHSU Courses: Minimum of 31 Core Credit Hours, 6 Research Hours, 20 Clinical Registration Hours. PLUS Additional Clinic Enrollments as needed and Optional Elective Courses. 

SLP 801-811 Clinical Graduate Courses. Graduate students will be required to register in a variety of clinical experiences throughout their graduate experience including: graduate practicum, practicum in evaluation, practicum in healthcare, aural rehabilitation clinical experience, educational externship, and medical externship.

A typical course progression for our program is on the degree map tab by semester and the courses are listed below:

Core Credit Hours31
Required Research Hours6
Clinical Hours20
Additional Clinical Hours or Optional Electives0-
Total Hours57
Core Credit Hours
SLP 663GManaging Hearing Loss in Children and Adults3
SLP 810Professional Issues in SLP2
SLP 812Clinical Collaboration in Speech-Language Pathology2
SLP 813Assessment & Intervention in Diverse Populations2
SLP 834Dysphagia2
SLP 835Augmentative and Alternative Communication2
SLP 836Advanced Audiology for the SLP2
SLP 840Speech Sound Disorders: Assessment & Intervention2
SLP 855Fluency Disorders2
SLP 856Voice and Motor Speech Disorders3
SLP 862Language Disorders: Early Language2
SLP 863Language Disorders: Later Language2
SLP 889Neuroanatomy2
SLP 890Cognitive Linguistic Communication Disorders3
Required Research Hours
SLP 817Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders 13
SLP 820
SLP 822
Research Development
and Applied Research Experience 1
3
or SLP 814
SLP 899
Independent Study in Communication Disorders
and Thesis in Speech-Language Pathology
Clinical Hours
SLP 801Graduate Practicum I1
SLP 802Graduate Practicum II1-2
or SLP 806 Graduate Practicum in Healthcare
SLP 803Graduate Practicum III1-2
or SLP 806 Graduate Practicum in Healthcare
SLP 804Graduate Practicum IV1-2
or SLP 806 Graduate Practicum in Healthcare
SLP 805Practicum in Evaluation and Assessment1
SLP 807Aural Rehabilitation Clinical Experience1
SLP 809Education Externship6
SLP 811Medical Externship6
Total Hours55-58
1

The SLP 817 Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a required course of the FHSU Graduate School. Students have concurrent registration in SLP 820 Research Development Fall 1 and then are registered in SLP 822 Applied Research Experience in Spring 1. These courses meet the required 6 research hours.

Accelerated Option

This program has an option for current FHSU students who meet the Accelerated Program Admissions requirements to take graduate courses during their senior year.  This allows up to 9 credit hours to apply to both degrees.  FHSU students interested in this graduate program are encouraged to visit with an advisor or department to learn more about the accelerated option.

Graduate School Graduation Requirements

All Graduate degrees1 require:

  • Maintain a C or higher in all coursework.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Refer to program)
  • A minimum of 30-75 hours of Graduate course work. (Refer to program)
  • Comprehensive Examination or equivalent assessment is required. (Master of Liberal Studies requires a Comprehensive Examination and Concentration Exam)
  • Degree completion within 8 years.
1

Refer to degree program for any additional requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
SLP 801 Graduate Practicum I 1
SLP 817 Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders 1 3
SLP 820 Research Development 1 1
SLP 835 Augmentative and Alternative Communication 2
SLP 836 Advanced Audiology for the SLP 2
SLP 840 Speech Sound Disorders: Assessment & Intervention 2
SLP 862 Language Disorders: Early Language 2
SLP 889 Neuroanatomy 2
 Hours15
Spring
SLP 806
Graduate Practicum in Healthcare
or Graduate Practicum II and Practicum in Evaluation and Assessment
2
SLP 822 Applied Research Experience 1 2
SLP 855 Fluency Disorders 2
SLP 856 Voice and Motor Speech Disorders 3
SLP 863 Language Disorders: Later Language 2
SLP 890 Cognitive Linguistic Communication Disorders 3
 Hours14
Summer
SLP 803 Graduate Practicum III 2
SLP 834 Dysphagia 2
SLP 663G
SLP 807
Managing Hearing Loss in Children and Adults
and Aural Rehabilitation Clinical Experience (Students who have taken SLP 663 as undergraduates will only enroll in SLP 807 for Clinical Experience)
4
 Hours8
Second Year
Fall
SLP 806
Graduate Practicum in Healthcare
or Graduate Practicum IV and Practicum in Evaluation and Assessment
2
SLP 810 Professional Issues in SLP 2
SLP 812 Clinical Collaboration in Speech-Language Pathology 2
SLP 813 Assessment & Intervention in Diverse Populations 2
 Hours8
Spring
SLP 809 Education Externship 6
SLP 811 Medical Externship 6
 Hours12
 Total Hours57
1

The SLP 817 Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a required course of the FHSU Graduate School. Students have concurrent registration in SLP 820 Research Development Fall 1 and then are registered in SLP 822 Applied Research Experience in Spring 1. These courses meet the required 6 research hours.

Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.

To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. Open electives indicate the student is free to choose courses from any subject, but students should discuss with their advisor how many of these hours must be upper division. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.

The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.