Fourteen Speech-Language Pathology faculty members hold Certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology, one holds a CCC in Audiology and one is dually certified in Speech Pathology and Audiology. All faculty members are licensed by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Although most are engaged in teaching as a major responsibility, several have written or contributed to textbooks and journals in stuttering, language, dysphagia, clinical supervision, educational audiology, and phonology. All are active in professional affairs.

Achievement data for students completing the Masters program in 2005-2006 includes: 1) 100% of the students achieved a passing score on the Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology Subject Area test, 2) 100% of the students were employed in the profession within one year of graduation and 3) 92% of the students completed the program in five or six semesters.

Degree Requirements

Completion of the masters degree requires six consecutive semesters of full time enrollment.  The student must complete a minimum of 33 hours of academic study and 14 hours of practicum.  Twenty-four of the total forty-seven (47) hours must be at the 6000 level.  A maximum of 17 to 18 credit hours may be transferred from another CAA approved master of science program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Advisor.  Verification of any transfer work (official transcript) must be submitted by the student and is placed in the academic advising file.

 Undergraduate deficiencies will be identified and a deficiency plan developed when indicated, upon review of a student’s transcript and in conference with the student and his/her academic advisor.  Students who believe they have completed a course at the undergraduate level similar in content to one of the required graduate courses, must meet with the graduate advisor to review the course content.  If it is approved, the student must enroll in an additional graduate course. 

Students can begin their Master's Program in Summer (click here for Summer Plan of Study) or Fall (click here for Fall Plan of Study)

Academic Requirements       
During the first three semesters, students enroll in academic courses.

Required Coursework   (30 credit hours)                
6302 Research Fundamentals in Speech Pathology
6311 Aural Rehabilitation    
6314 Adult Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
6317 Augmentative/Alternative Communication
6345 Topics in School-Age Language Disorders 
6360 Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology
6216 Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Incompetence
6225 Voice Disorders   
6227 Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
6240 Neurogenics I
6241 Neurogenics II
6243 Neurogenics III
                                  
Electives    (One elective required)
5220 Diagnosis and Planning
5307 Advanced Sign Language
5310 Assistive Technology
6105 Clinical Seminar V: Evidence Based Practice
6220 Fluency Disorders
6306 Advanced Independent Study & Readings in Speech Pathology
6310 Phonological Acquisitions and Disorders
6316 Data Analysis
6330 Transdisciplinary and Collaborative Practices
6336 Thesis
6354 Transdisciplinary Intervention with Young Children

Course descriptions are listed in the current Graduate Bulletin.

M.S. Thesis Option
Students who choose to complete a thesis enroll in 3 or 6 hours (6336 Thesis).

Selection of a thesis topic is the responsibility of the student.  The department chair will approve a major research faculty advisor.  All members of the thesis committee must be approved and appointed by the department chair.  The thesis committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members who hold graduate faculty status: the major professor, a second faculty member within the department,  and a third member from outside the department.

The Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide  is published by the Graduate School .   After the thesis has been read and approved and before the student is recommended to the Graduate Dean for graduation, the thesis committee will meet with the student for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis.  A majority of the student’s committee must approve the thesis and its defense.  If approval is denied, the student will not be recommended for graduation.  In this event, the student may be reexamined at a later period, no sooner than three months after the initial examination.                

 Independent Study Option
Students who choose to complete an independent study take Advanced Independent Study & Readings in Speech Pathology (6306).  Students may also take 6316 Data Analysis.

The end product of Independent Studies will be a completed experimental study or project, the results of which will be presented in one or more of a variety of formats.  Students are encouraged to submit proposals for presentation at the ArkSHA Convention, the ASHA Convention or other professional meetings.  Work on the topic of the study will begin in the Research course, so that this research project may span two to four semesters.  Students will be assigned to a faculty mentor who will meet with student on a regular basis until the end of the study (completion of requirements for Independent Studies).

Clinical Research Option
Students who choose the clinical research option take 30 hours of required academic coursework,  one elective (2 or 3 semester credit hours) and 6105 Clinical Seminar V: Evidence Based Practice. In this class you will research a clinical case, typically one you are working with during that semester.  Your job will be to "research the evidence" available in order to develop an assessment/treatment plan for your assigned case. It is expected that you be able to document the efficacy and effectiveness of your recommendations for your assigned case. This project requires that you submit a written document.

Clinical Practicum (14 credit hours)
During the last three semesters, students enroll in Advanced Clinical Practicum I.   This supervised practicum will include experiences with patient/client populations across the life span and from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds.  A total of 400 clinical practicum hours must be accrued with 375 hours in direct client/patient contact with a minimum of 325 at the graduate level.

Practicum experiences will be completed at the UCA Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and off-campus sites.  The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is housed within the department.  The clinic serves approximately 50-60 clients per semester. Additionally, students enjoy a variety of clinical experiences in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, public schools, and early intervention programs throughout Arkansas and in neighboring states.

Comprehensive Requirement
Students completing clinical research or an independent study will be required to complete the comprehensive examination.  Students who successfully complete a thesis meet the comprehensive requirement.

Admission

Admission to the M.S. Program in Speech-Language Pathology is competitive, selective, and limited. Selection is based on academic and personal qualifications of the applicant and is granted without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in oral communication prior to admission to practicum courses. The minimum entry criteria are:

1. Overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 (with priority given to students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement).
2. Graduate grade point average of 3.0 on any hours taken.  Credit hours may be transferred from another master of science program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Advisor.
3. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (General Test).

M.S. Application Process  (application procedures and materials)

  Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Retention

Once admitted, a student's progress in the Speech-Language Pathology program is reviewed each semester.
To remain in good standing the student must:

1. Maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0.

   A student whose cumulative grade-point average is less than 3.0 is on academic probation.  In the next semester of attendance, the student must achieve a cumulative 3.0 or at least show meaningful improvement towards a 3.00 GPA. If the cumulative 3.00 is not met or meaningful improvement shown, the student is ineligible to continue graduate studies at UCA. 

   A GPA of 3.0 or above is required for graduation.  Up to six hours beyond the degree requirements can be used to meet this GPA, but all such hours must be approved by the student's advisor.

    

2. Observe the fundamental rules of ethical conduct as described in the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

3. Maintain satisfactory non-academic criteria that are important to function as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  Consequently, you are required to meet the following criteria:

   1. Oral communication abilities adequate to function as a speech-language pathologist.  The program adheres to ASHA's position statement. "Students and Professionals Who Speak English with Accents and Nonstandard Dialects."

   2. Auditory ability adequate for assessing speech-language problems and providing treatment.

   3. Interpersonal behaviors that reflect professional standards.

    

Assessment of non-academic requirements involves the professional judgments of faculty and administrators. It is crucial that client and patient rights to appropriate speech and language services be protected. It is the University's responsibility to protect both students and the clients they serve. The UCA Speech-Language Pathology faculty deals with these issues through regular reviews of student progress during faculty meetings. Potential problems are raised as soon as possible with the student, remediation procedures are suggested, and the student is given time to respond. On rare occasions, it is necessary to counsel students out of the program for non-academic reasons. Before arriving at such a decision, there is extensive discussion, clear feedback to the student regarding the problems, and agreement among faculty as to the course of action. The intention of this policy is to give students a fair opportunity to succeed.

Additional Information

• M.S. Application Process

• Post-Baccalaureate Track

• Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Disclaimer