M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology provides the graduate-level academic and clinical training needed to become a speech-language pathologist. Offering a rigorous curriculum that engages students in globally relevant research, the M.A. program prepares students to serve the culturally and linguistically diverse people of our region affected by communication disorders. Graduates are trained in the prevention, assessment, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders throughout the lifespan, and prepared to work in professional settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice, or to continue their education in a PhD program.

UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

See Graduate Studies Admission Requirements for graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants. 

ADMISSIONS 

The Graduate Committee cannot act on applications until they have been reviewed by the Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment and have met university admissions requirements. Please check the M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology website and/or the office of Graduate Studies for the specific application due date for each year. The program admits students in Fall semester only.

In addition to the general requirements of the University, which include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, specific requirements for classification in the program are:

1. Typically, a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 ("B"), or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in communicative sciences and disorders coursework. However, a student’s undergraduate GPA does not always predict their potential for success and should not exclude them from consideration. Therefore, the admissions committee takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, considering a broad range of candidate qualities, including a student’s personal attributes, past experiences, and future goals, and how those might contribute to a good fit with our program and its values and objectives.
2. A bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Communicative Disorders, or Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, or a bachelor’s degree in another field with a preparatory minor/certificate in Speech-Language Pathology or coursework in the following areas:
   1. Child Language and Literacy Development
   2. Introduction to Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
   3. Language and Speech Science
   4. Child Language Disorders
   5. Phonetics and Phonology
   6. Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
   7. Clinical and Research Methods and Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology
   8. Fluency, Voice, and Speech Sound Disorders
   9. Neurology and Neurogenic Communication Disorders
   10. Audiology & Audiometry​
3. In addition to the above courses, ASHA requires completion of one course each in the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and social/behavioral sciences. These courses must be completed prior to admission to the M.A. For more information, see ASHA's Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards.
4. Two letters of recommendation. 
5. A one- to two-page personal statement describing the student's professional goals in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
6. Submission of official transcripts from all previous college work to the admissions committee.
7. An interview may also be required.

English proficiency is a requirement for admission and success in the program and will be screened during the interview process. International students whose undergraduate degree was conducted in a language other than English will need to follow the English proficiency requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies, as explained on their website and below: Graduate Student | International Education | CSUSB 

English Language Proficiency Requirement can be met by:

• TOEFL (iBT 79/80 or PBT 550) or IELTS (General: 6.0 total band score). Must be valid within the last two years.
• Successful completion of level 4 of CSUSB English Language Program 
• Interview/personal statement for communication skills

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATA 

COURSES

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS WITHIN THE CURRICULUM.docx

Fall 1:

Basic and Applied Research Methods in CSD

Language Disorders I: Infancy to Preschool

Neurogenic Language and Cognition Disorders I

Articulation and Phonological Disorders

Clinical Practicum I - On-campus clinic & Simucase

Spring 1:

Motor Speech Disorders

Language Disorders II: School-age to Adolescence

Dysphagia

Neurogenic Language and Cognition Disorders II

Clinical Practicum II - On campus clinic (including screenings and diagnostics) & Simucase OR External placement one day per week

Summer 1:

Graduate Elective - Counseling Tools in SLP / Directed Studies in SLP

Clinical Practicum III - On campus clinic (including screenings and diagnostics) & Simucase OR External placement one day per week

Fall 2:

Voice, Resonance, and Fluency

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in CSD

Graduate Elective - Special Topics in SLP / Directed Studies in SLP

Advanced Clinical Practicum I - Externship in school, medical, or private practice setting

Spring 2:

Aural Rehabilitation

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Culminating Experience - Thesis or Comprehensive Exam (students will declare their choice the semester before)

Advanced Clinical Practicum II - Externship in school, medical, or private practice setting

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

See the Graduate Catalogue for the most up-to-date degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology

ACCREDITATION

The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at California State University, San Bernardino is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.