M.S. Curriculum

The student must successfully complete the practicum requirements specified below:

1. Acquire all skills specified in the current standards for ASHA certification.
2. At least 25 clock hours of clinical observation must be completed before beginning initial clinical practicum.
3. At least 325 clock hours of practicum in speech-language pathology must be completed at the graduate level.
4. At least 50 clock hours must be completed in each of three types of clinical settings. The settings may include a hospital or medical facility, the university clinic and public schools.

The Master of Science degree program in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is competency-based. Before a student is allowed to graduate, he/she is expected to acquire the knowledge and skills to prevent disorders of communication, and to safely, effectively and efficiently assess and treat persons across the life span, from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who present with disorders of articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language, hearing, swallowing, cognition and social aspects of communication. Additionally, the student is expected to demonstrate specific knowledge in communication modalities, as well as possess skills in oral and written communication sufficient for entry into professional practice. The student is required to maintain a GPA of ‘B’ on a 4-point scale.

Types of External Clinical Sites

Students earn clinical clock hours at the Central Mississippi Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic and at other off-campus clinical sites assigned by the Department. Off-campus sites are assigned based upon the student’s knowledge and skills, availability of specific external sites and appropriate supervision, and student interest. The types of external sites students are placed at include:

• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Nursing homes
• Public schools
• Private practices
• Early intervention
• Child development centers
• Other educational facilities