Programs in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM
Admission Requirements
Combined MS/PhD Program
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY (CAGS)
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
doctoral program in speech-language pathology & audiology
Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
Degree Requirements
Residency Requirement
Coursework Grade Requirements
Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences

BU Sargent College offers a full range of courses and programs for students interested in speech, language, and hearing sciences and their associated disorders. The undergraduate curriculum features studies in normal communication processes and
introductory studies in speech-language pathology and audiology. These courses are designed for students preparing for professional studies in speech-language pathology and audiology at the graduate level.

The Speech-Language Pathology Program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The Master of Science Program enables students to fulfill the requirements for professional certification by ASHA in speech-language pathology and prepares them to obtain Massachusetts state licensure and/or a teacher license. Advanced graduate studies and doctoral programs are provided for those seeking additional professional training and research skills.

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master of science degree program IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

The mission of BU’s 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 62 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.

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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.

1. SAR SH 521 Phonetics
2. SAR SH 522 Anatomy and Physiology
   of the Speech Mechanism
3. SAR SH 524 Language Acquisition
4. SAR SH 531 Introduction to
   Communication Disorders
5. SAR SH 535 Introduction to Audiology
6. SAR SH 547 Introduction to the
   Clinical Process

The following courses or their equivalents must be completed prior to graduation:

1. SAR SH 505 Introduction to
   Phonological Disorders
2. 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.

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.

January 15 is the recommended date for submission of all application materials for fall admission; however, applications are considered as they are received until enrollment capacity is met.

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Degree Requirements

Each student’s plan of study must be approved by his or her faculty advisor. Sixty-two credits in courses at the graduate level with at least 54 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 (3)
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)

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certificate of advanced graduate study (CAGS)

This is a 40-credit-hour advanced professional program in speech-language pathology for those interested in pursuing education beyond the master’s level. The program includes academic coursework, research, and advanced practica.

Admission Requirements

A master’s or doctoral degree or the equivalent with a major in speech-language pathology or a related field is required for admission. Applicants must have completed at least one year of successful professional work and preferably will hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, or certification or its equivalent in an allied field.

Applicants must submit previous academic transcripts, scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (institution code 3028), and three reference letters from individuals familiar with the applicant’s abilities and record.

Application Deadline January 15 is the recommended date for submission of all application materials for fall admission; October 1 is recommended for spring admission.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 40 credits approved by the student’s faculty advisor is required for the CAGS. A maximum of 12 credits of coursework may be taken below the 700 level.

Curriculum

Since all CAGS programs are individually tailored to the needs and interests of the student, it is not possible to present a sample of a “typical” student’s program. The CAGS program may be completed on a part-time basis.

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doctoral program in speech-language pathology & audiology

The Doctoral Program in Speech-Language Pathology &
Audiology prepares professionals for leadership positions in
the field. The resources of BU and the surrounding area are vast; doctoral students have the opportunity to take courses
in psychology, linguistics, medicine, engineering, rehabilitation, education, and public health in the University’s various schools and colleges. Students can also benefit from courses at other universities in the area. Each program is individualized and combines academic work with developmental experiences and original research.

The doctoral program in speech-language pathology offers a research track to students who may have previously obtained clinical certification. For post-baccalaureate entrants, clinical training is included in the combined MS/PhD program in speech-language pathology. The graduate program in speech-language pathology is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. A research track in audiology prepares students for academic and research careers.

Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology

A master’s degree or an AuD from an accredited
college or university is required for admission. Applicants must show evidence of high academic achievement in their previous coursework, 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. The admissions committee considers an applicant’s experience, professional certification, and personal statement of goals in its selection process. To ensure that the student will have a suitable mentor, candidates are strongly encouraged to meet with a research faculty member about their research interests prior to submitting an application. A personal interview by the doctoral program faculty is usually required.

Application Deadline January 15 is the recommended date for submission of all application materials for fall admission with consideration for graduate assistantships; December 1 is recommended for spring admission.

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Degree Requirements

For students entering with a post-master’s or AuD degree, a minimum of 48 credits in graduate-level coursework (700 level or above), a preliminary project, qualifying project, and a dissertation are required. Up to twelve credits of coursework below the 700 level may be allowed with the approval of the student’s doctoral planning committee.

Students entering post-baccalaureate, who are interested in speech-language studies and in obtaining clinical certification, are eligible for the combined MS/PhD program in speech-language pathology.

All candidates for the doctoral degree must demonstrate both content area expertise and basic research skills.

Students must complete at least one year of full-time study prior to the preliminary project and beginning the dissertation.

Core courses (24 credits) are chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor.

Research design courses (8 credits) must include advanced statistics and/or research methods.

Directed research (6 credits) must be completed before the qualifying project begins. The student and research mentor will devise a suitable project to include discussion of crucial experimental design issues, as well as focused training in the specific methodologies of the chosen content area. Further topics will include data analysis and interpretation of statistical results with application to models and follow-up studies.

Qualifying project (2 credits) The student will write a paper that meets the standards for peer-reviewed journals in the speech, language, and hearing sciences. The paper may be a comprehensive literature review or may incorporate research findings. The topic and scope are subject to the approval of the student’s advisory committee. The qualifying project must be distinct from the dissertation.

Dissertation research (8 credits) Completion of this requirement includes formulation of a research question, collection and analysis of data, and preparation of a written document that is acceptable to the committee members, as well as a final oral defense. The initial portion of the dissertation defense is open to the BU Sargent College community.

All doctoral candidates must fulfill the residency requirement and submit an acceptable doctoral dissertation. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of beginning the doctoral program (seven years for post-baccalaureate entrants).

Residency Requirement

A minimum of one academic year of residency is required for the doctoral programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. Residence is defined as full-time study via coursework and/or research activities, which can be achieved with registration for a minimum of 8–12 credit hours each
semester (including dissertation credits) for two consecutive semesters. Full-time status can be demonstrated by either a combination of coursework and appointments to research and/or teaching assistantships (8 credits) or a full-time course load (12 or more credits).

For the combined MS/PhD program, the first two years of the program (primarily clinical training) cannot be used to satisfy the residency requirement.

The student must be registered during each fall and spring semester while completing the requirements for the degree. To comply with this requirement, a doctoral candidate should become familiar with the University’s reduced tuition provisions for continuing students. Doctoral programs must be completed within five years of initial matriculation (seven years for post-baccalaureate entrants).

Coursework Grade Requirements

Candidates must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No more than 8 credits of C or C+ work will be accepted toward the degree, and the acceptability of any C or C+ work in required courses is subject to program faculty approval. Continued matriculation in the doctoral program is contingent upon the maintenance of the minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences

617-353-3252

Professors Kidd, Waters

Associate Professors Kiran, Matthies, Singh

Assistant Professor Coady

Clinical Professor Langmore*

Clinical Associate Professors Cox*, Gavett,
Parris, Strand

Clinical Assistant Professors Dix, Hoover, Howland

Adjunct Clinical Associate Professors Oppenheimer, Sanders

Adjunct Professor Caplan

Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor Bunting

Adjunct Assistant Professor Raade

Lecturers Costello, Delhorne, DiGrande, Howard, Lindsay

Research Assistant Professor Mason

*Joint appointment with other Boston University
schools or colleges.

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Boston, MA 02215

9 November 2009
Boston University
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