MS in Speech-Language Pathology
The mission of the Boston University Master of Science Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology is to prepare graduates to meet ASHA clinical certification standards and state licensure requirements necessary for entry-level practice positions. We believe that the study of human communication disorders must be built on a strong foundation in the basic sciences and normal processes related to communication and cognition as well as an understanding and appreciation of scientific inquiry. The program strives to create a learning environment that fosters critical and innovative thinking and encourages the development of future leaders.
The master’s degree program generally requires the equivalent of four semesters of full-time study for those students who have met the prerequisites before entering the program; many students also enroll for one or more summer terms. Course selection depends upon the student’s undergraduate preparation and professional and certification goals. A minimum of 64 graduate credits plus successful completion of a comprehensive written examination are required. For qualified students, a thesis may be substituted for the written examination.
The program prepares students for employment in medical, rehabilitation, private practice, educational, and community settings.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is required for admission. The applicant must also complete the following prerequisite speech-language pathology and audiology courses or their equivalents. Prerequisite courses are offered during Summer Term for individuals who wish to complete most prerequisite courses prior to matriculation. These courses may also be completed on a non-graduate credit basis concurrently with graduate study.
- SAR SH 521 Phonetics
- SAR SH 522 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- SAR SH 524 Language Acquisition
- SAR SH 531 Introduction to Communication Disorders
- SAR SH 535 Introduction to Audiology
- SAR SH 547 Introduction to the Clinical Process
The following course or its equivalent must be completed prior to graduation:
- SAR SH 542 Aural Rehabilitation
The applicant must submit evidence of academic and clinical aptitude in the form of previous academic records and aptitude scores on the Graduate Record Examination (institution code 3028) and at least three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability.
Application Deadline
The date for submission of all application materials for fall admission is January 1.
Combined MS/PhD Program
Exceptional applicants who plan to pursue doctoral studies may request consideration for parallel admission to the PhD program in speech-language pathology. Under this option, the master’s degree student integrates doctoral coursework and supervised research experiences into the plan of study, which is determined by an advisory committee of departmental faculty. It is expected that at the end of three years of full-time study, the student in the combined MS/PhD program will meet all of the coursework and practicum requirements for the master’s degree and all of the coursework requirements for the doctoral degree. Upon successful completion of the doctoral preliminary examination, the student is admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree and begins the dissertation. In addition to the application materials noted above, applicants for the combined MS/PhD program must identify a research faculty mentor and will usually participate in an interview with the doctoral program faculty.
Degree Requirements
Each student’s plan of study must be approved by his or her faculty advisor. Sixty-three credits in courses at the graduate level with at least 55 credits taken at Boston University are required for the degree. At least one semester must be devoted to full-time study and all degree requirements must be completed within five years after initial matriculation in the program.
Satisfactory performance on the comprehensive examination is required unless the faculty approves a thesis as a substitute.
Candidates must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, with no more than 8 credits of C or C+ work accepted toward the degree. Required courses receiving grades of C– and below must be repeated; a student may repeat a required course only once.
For prerequisite courses that are being completed by matriculating MS degree students, the first course with a grade of C or below must be repeated. Should a grade of C or below be received in a second course, the student will be terminated from the program.
Matriculation in the graduate program is contingent upon the maintenance of a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one consecutive semester will be terminated from the program. This applies to all graduate students enrolled for more than 4 credits in a semester. The acceptability of C or C+ work in required courses is subject to departmental faculty approval.
To count clinical practicum clock and credit hours toward ASHA certification, the student must receive a practicum grade of B– or better. Clinical practicum hours that receive a grade below this level must be repeated.
Curriculum
The sample program below is for students entering with an undergraduate degree in communication science and disorders (course credits shown in parentheses).
First Year
Fall Semester
- SAR SH 700 Research Methods (2)
- SAR SH 708 Models of Language (4)
- SAR SH 737 Evaluation and Diagnosis in Speech Pathology (4)
- SAR SH 740 Introduction to Clinical Practicum: Speech and Language (2)
- SAR SH 748 Hearing Practicum I (1)
- SAR SH 756 Cognition and Neural Bases (4)
Spring Semester
- SAR SH 702 Public School Programming in Speech-Language Pathology (1)
- SAR SH 729 School-Age Language Disorders (3)
- SAR SH 735 Preschool Language Disorders (3)
- SAR SH 736 Aphasia (4)
- SAR SH 738 Dysphagia (3)
- SAR SH 741 Clinical Practicum: Speech and Language (3)
Summer Term
- Electives (optional)
Second Year
Fall Semester
- SAR SH 691 Introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
- SAR SH 703 Counseling (1)
- SAR SH 721 Motor Speech Disorders (2)
- SAR SH 731 Advanced Topics in Phonological Disorders (2)
- SAR SH 733 Voice Disorders (2)
- SAR SH 742 Clinical Practicum: Speech and Language (4)
- SAR SH 752 Hearing Practicum II (1)
Spring Semester
- SAR SH 650 Medical Seminar (1)
- SAR SH 732 Fluency Disorders (2)
- SAR SH 734 Acquired Cognitive Disorders (2)
- SAR SH 743 Clinical Practicum: Speech and Language (5)
- SAR SH 755 Speech Science (2)
- SAR SH 790 Comprehensive Exam (0)
- Elective (2)
