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Speech Language Pathology, M.S

June 3, 2024

Next Start Date

18 academic, 6 clinical

Courses Required

$795

Cost Per Credit Hour

70

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Format

Transform lives, foster connection and build confidence.

Combine science with hands-on experience for a flexible, rewarding career through our full-time online Master of Science (MS) program in Speech-Language Pathology, which provides aspiring professionals the competence to diagnose and treat the full range of communicative disorders in all age groups.

The program provides academic and unique clinical instruction across the lifespan. Students will learn about service delivery in a variety of settings, including the opportunity to provide services via tele practice, and will gain clinical experience in healthcare and educational settings as well as in courses, in the STEPS lab, with standardized patients, and in local and regional clinical settings. In addition, students can engage in externships, interprofessional practice, and research. Online students work as Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLP-A) with approved partner organizations, such as the West Virginia Department of Education.

Format: Online courses (with required placement as an SLP-A with an approved partner organization, and periodic on-campus activities)

Next Start Date: June 3, 2024


Girl in speech therapy office. Mirror reflection of young girl exercising correct pronunciation with speech therapist.

Contact

Kim Klaus
Assistant Director of Admissions
Phone: (304) 293-3257
Email: kklaus@hsc.wvu.edu

Program Website

Attend a Virtual Information Session

Thank you for your interest in the Speech Language Pathology M.S. program at West Virginia University! Upcoming Events: In-person open house on October 20th, virtual open house November 3rd.

Learn More

Speech Language Pathology M.S. Admission Requirements

In alignment with the mission and vision of the Division of Communication Sciences & Disorders we utilize a holistic review process that fosters a diverse and inclusive culture. We welcome students who are reflective critical thinkers and embody curiosity, compassion, and collaboration, as well as an openness to feedback.

2023-2024 Admissions Timeline

The CSDCAS Portal for WVU opened July 2023, and the current admissions timeline is provided below.

  • July 17: WVU CSDCAS Portal Opens
  • October 20: In-Person Open House, 1 PM EST, Registration Required
  • November 3: Virtual Open House, 1 PM EST, Registration Required
  • January 4: Recommended date to submit application through CSDCAS to ensure verification by February 1, 2024
  • January 16: Last day to take the Casper online (see below for details)
  • February 1: Deadline for verified applications
  • February 23: Virtual Interview Day for invited applicants
  • March 18: On-Campus Invited Open House for invited applicants

Admission Requirements

Applicants will be considered for our graduate programs if they have personal attributes that are predictive of academic and clinical success; high academic achievement; and English proficiency.

Personal attributes. Applicants are expected to possess personal characteristics that are necessary for success in graduate study as well as in professional clinical practice. These characteristics include:

  • A desire for lifelong learning,
  • Critical thinking ability,
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, and
  • An openness to receiving constructive feedback.

These characteristics are evaluated by the Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) and activities completed during the invited Interview Day.

Academic achievement. Students must have:

  • Obtained a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a properly recognized institution of higher learning prior to starting the program,
  • Maintained an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8 (where ‘A’ = 4.0). However, for an overall undergraduate GPA below 3.0, the applicant must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or higher in one of the following: CSD major coursework, all of the CSD prerequisites, or in the most recent 60 credits taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.
  • Completed the prerequisite coursework listed below with a grade of ‘C’ or better. A minimum of two courses in the CSD coursework must be completed before the application deadline. The remaining prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the graduate program.

At least one course in each of the following CSD content areas:

  • Phonetics
  • Language Acquisition/Development
  • Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing
  • Speech & Hearing Science
  • Introduction to Audiology
  • At least one course in each related content area listed below:
    • Physics or Chemistry
    • Social/Behavioral Science
    • Statistics
    • Biological Science

For more information on related academic courses, see the ASHA Coursework requirements related to certification standards.

For the online SLP program only – Eligibility for SLP-Assistant licensure in West Virginia. Students accepted to the online SLP program will work as an SLP Assistant in West Virginia schools while completing coursework online with periodic on-campus activities. Therefore, applicants for this program will need to be eligible for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant license in the state of West Virginia. Prospective students who wish to pursue an SLP-Assistant position outside of West Virginia and/or the West Virginia Department of Education must contact the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

English proficiency. Applicants who did not complete their bachelor's degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand must meet the minimum score requirements for English proficiency. WVU’s minimum score requirements for English proficiency are: Academic IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL iBT score of 79, PTE Academic score of 53, or Duolingo English Test score of 105.

Application Process

To be considered for 2024 admissions, all of the following need to be finalized no later than the February 1st deadline.

Complete an application through CSDCAS. Applications for the Doctorate of Audiology and the On-Campus and Online Master’s programs in Speech-Language Pathology must be submitted through the Communication Sciences & Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS), which can be accessed via the CSDCAS Portal.

Send official transcripts from each college or university attended directly to CSDCAS. Official transcripts should include all grades through the fall 2023 semester. Foreign transcripts should be evaluated for U.S. equivalency according to the information in the CSDCAS Applicant Help Center.

No GRE, letters of recommendation, personal statement, or clinical observation hours are required. Applicants’ academic ability and personal characteristics both will be considered for admission. Because of our holistic review process, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements are not required. Applicants’ academic ability will be evaluated based on prerequisite coursework, GPA, and interview day activities. Clinical observation hours are incorporated into the graduate program and are not required as part of the admission process.

Complete prerequisite coursework and report grades in CSDCAS. A minimum of two courses in the CSD coursework must be completed before the application deadline, February 1st. The remaining prerequisite courses listed in the Admissions Requirements section must be completed prior to starting the graduate program. All prerequisite courses must have a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Complete the Casper. Casper (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) is a non-cognitive assessment of interpersonal skills. No studying is required, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure using the link provided because the test can only be taken one time during an admission cycle.

Visit acuityinsights.app to create an account and register to take Casper using test code CSP-10101. When you register, you will have the opportunity to take two assessments – Casper and Snapshot. The WVU CSD graduate programs only require Casper (Snapshot is not required).

Note: Casper scores are sent directly to WVU, so you do not need to upload your scores to CSDCAS. This is the only application material that is not submitted to CSDCAS.

There are many test dates available from July 27, 2023, through January 16, 2024. Applicants must complete Casper by the final test date of January 16, 2024, to be considered for 2024 admissions. Applicants may search for available dates/time via the Acuity Insights website.

Complete English proficiency test and submit scores to CSDCAS (if applicable). Applicants who did not complete their bachelor's degree in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand should complete one of the tests listed in the Admissions Requirements section and submit their scores to CSDCAS. The test should be completed well in advance of the February 1st deadline so that official scores will be available in time.

Submit your completed CSDCAS application prior to the February 1st deadline to ensure it is verified. To be considered for admission, your application status in CSDCAS must be posted as verified on or before February 1st. CSDCAS recommends having your application completed (e-submitted and all payments, transcripts, and required documents submitted) at least four weeks in advance of the verification deadline, which is by January 4th, to ensure the application is verified by February 1. Review the CSDCAS website for more information on the program deadline requirements and how long the application process takes through CSDCAS.

The timeliness of the application is considered the responsibility of the applicant. Applications that are not verified by February 1st will not be considered for the current admission cycle.


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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.

Students are encouraged to:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the March 1 deadline to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827; and
  • Check with your employer to see if they provide financial support for earning your graduate.

The tuition rate per credit hour listed above is for the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees increase beginning in the fall term of each academic year.

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Your future in Speech Language Pathology

Career Paths

Students who graduate with a Speech-Language Pathology degree are eligible to complete the Praxis Examination and apply for certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, allowing them to practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is anticipated to grow 21% by 2031 (much faster than average), and the 2021 median pay was $79,060/year.

Online Major Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required

Academic Coursework

Course Title Credit Hours
CSAD 608 Audiological Foundations 2
CSAD 618 Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Sciences and Disorders 3
CSAD 620 Neurophysiological Bases of Speech and Language 4
CSAD 622 Voice Disorders 3
CSAD 624 Speech Sound Disorders 3
CSAD 625 Developmental Language Disorders: Early Stages 3
CSAD 626 Acquired Motor Speech Disorders 3
Advanced Stuttering Disorders 2
CSAD 628 Fluency Disorders
CSAD 630 Acquired Language Disorders 3
CSAD 635 Developmental Language Disorders: Advanced Stages 3
Augmentative/Alternative Communication 2
CSAD 636 Augmentative/Alternative Communication
CSAD 640 Supervision and Leadership 1
CSAD 642 SLP Service Provision: Education 2
CSAD 662 Dysphagia 3
CSAD 663 Principles of Intervention 2
CSAD 664 Principles of Diagnostics in Communication Sciences and Disorders 2
CSAD 665 Culturally Responsive Practices in Communication Sciences and Disorders 2
CSAD 697 Research 6
Elective Courses 4

Clinical Coursework

Course Title Credit Hours
CSAD 609 Introduction to the Clinical Experience 1
CSAD 610 Clinic 1 3
CSAD 612 Clinic 2 3
CSAD 614 Clinic 3 3
CSAD 616 Clinic 4 3
CSAD 718 Externship in Speech-Language Pathology 4

Additional Program Requirements

Pass Knowledge/Skills Assessments
Pass Final Project
Complete 400 Clinical Clock Hours

Total Hours: 70

Residency Requirements

Limited residency requirement - A majority of the credit-bearing and non-credit bearing courses and activities are either entirely online or mostly online. Some credit- or non-credit-bearing activities may require campus visits and/or visits to designated locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do online students gain experience in the field?

The full-time online Master of Science (MS) program in speech-language pathology is designed for individuals working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) with a designated partner organization. As such, students must be eligible for licensure as an SLP-A in the state in which they will practice.

Traditionally, these partner organizations have been public schools in West Virginia. However, alternative placements as an SLP-A may be considered. Prospective students who wish to pursue an SLP-A position outside of West Virginia and/or the West Virginia Department of Education should contact Dr. Michelle Moore, Vice Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology program, via email at mimoore@hsc.wvu.edu.

Will I be compensated for my work as an SLP-A?

Students in the full-time online Master of Science (MS) in speech-language pathology will receive a salary as an SLP-A in their partner organization. However, they may be expected to cover their WVU tuition and living expenses. Additionally, for those working in a public school in West Virginia, supplemental benefits and assistance may be available through individual counties within an SLP-A job offer.

How long will the online SLP program take to complete? What will I be required to complete?

If taken full-time, the online SLP program begins in the summer and is ten semesters in length. Students take an average of 7 credits per semester, with part-time status some semesters and full-time status others.

In addition to coursework, students must meet certain benchmarks to be eligible for graduation. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass their knowledge and skills assessments, complete a final project, and achieve a minimum of 400 supervised clinical clock hours.

What opportunities do I have to build my professional network?

In addition to the online SLP program, WVU offers a campus-based MS in SLP and a Doctor of Audiology. All of our students – campus-based and online – are part of the same community and, eventually, professional network. As an online SLP student, you will have opportunities to participate periodically in on-campus or hybrid activities with your peers. This begins with orientation, which is hybrid; continues throughout your program; and culminates with graduation, where we hope to welcome you in person to celebrate your accomplishments!

What do career outcomes look like once I graduate?

Graduates of our on-campus speech-language pathology program perform well and consistently on the praxis examination, with a three-year average pass rate of 100%. Similarly, our three-year program completion rate for the on-campus program is 98.04%. In other words, our program prepares students well to join the profession – which is in-demand, with anticipated growth of 21% by 2031 (much faster than the national average for other professions). The 2021 median pay for speech-language pathologists was $79,060 per year.

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Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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