Stacie Raymer, Graduate Program Director
115 Child Study Center
757-683-4522
The Master of Science - Speech-Language Pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, which is affiliated with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, phone: 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700). The degree prepares professionals to meet certification standards to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through curriculum and clinical activities that guide students to understand, identify, assess, and develop intervention programs for children and adults who present a wide array of speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Students engage in supervised on-campus practica in the ODU Speech and Hearing Clinic/Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Speech and Language Disorders. They also complete two off-campus externships in settings such as public schools, hospitals, private practice settings, rehabilitation centers, and clinics. Graduate students also must successfully pass a written comprehensive examination. Upon graduation, all students will be prepared to complete the national examination in Speech-Language Pathology (Praxis) and apply for ASHA certification and licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and most other states. Student outcome data and the program strategic plan can be accessed on the program website (https://odu.edu/cdse/academics/slpa/msed-slp).
Admission
Application and Admission
Application to the ODU MS Speech-Language Pathology program takes place through Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS, https://csdcas.liaisoncas.org/csdcas-students/). The deadline to submit all documents (application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay) to CSDCAS is February 1 of each year. After submission of the CSDCAS application, students will receive an email from ODU Graduate Admissions to submit an ODU application fee. No additional documents are needed with the ODU application. Admission decisions take place after March 1 for admissions in Fall of that year.
Students with and without an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology/communication sciences and disorders are eligible for acceptance into the program. The normal matriculation for a student who has completed undergraduate requirements in the field is two full years (6 semesters) of full-time enrollment. Students without undergraduate coursework in the field typically require two additional semesters to complete prerequisite and required master’s degree coursework (8 semesters total). Prerequisite courses can be accepted from other institutions and include: introduction to communication disorders; anatomy of speech and language; phonetics; articulation/phonological disorders; language development; speech science; audiology; and aural rehabilitation.
Admission to the graduate program in speech-language pathology is granted after a competitive review completed by the program faculty. Individuals entering the master’s degree program in speech-language pathology must possess an undergraduate degree and will be required to submit final official transcripts to ODU prior to graduate enrollment.
The following minimum requirements are necessary to be considered for admission to the program's competitive application cycle:
- a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution;
- an undergraduate grade point average of 2.80 or better;
- three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from prior university instructors;
- a 500 word essay describing the student’s personal experiences and background that influence their potential to meet professional practice competencies (accountability, integrity, cultural competence, collaborative practice).
- Please note: At this time, no GRE score is required.
Additional Requirements
Continuance
Once admitted to the program, students must:
- maintain a grade point average of 3.00;
- satisfactorily complete all practica and externships;
- earn no more than two grades below B-. Students must retake courses in which grades below B- are earned and receive grades of B- or higher. Obtaining three grades below B- leads to expulsion from the program;
- meet prerequisite competencies (25 observation hours) in order to be admitted to clinical practica;
- complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (Social and Behavioral) training modules. See https://www.odu.edu/impact/responsible-conduct-of-training.
Exit
Students must:
- have a grade point average of 3.00;
- pass the department writing proficiency examination;
- meet all academic competencies;
- meet all clinical competencies;
- pass a written comprehensive examination.
Comprehensive Examination
All students seeking a master’s degree in speech-language pathology are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination. Areas of examination are based upon program coursework and related areas of professional preparation. If any area is not successfully completed during the first administration, the student is allowed only one more attempt to pass that topic area. Failure of any question on the second administration leads to expulsion from the program.
Program Requirements
All students who have met prerequisite requirements must complete 53 semester hours of graduate study in speech-language pathology (38 academic credits and 15 clinical credits). Students are expected to satisfy all professional, academic, and clinical requirements and demonstrate professional, ethical, and communication behaviors commensurate with the standards of the profession.
