Marquette University offers a program leading to a master of science degree in speech-language pathology. The program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Department of Public Instruction of the State of Wisconsin. The graduate curriculum in speech-language pathology offers advanced coursework in the nature, prevention, identification, evaluation and treatment of speech, language, hearing and related disorders in both children and adults. It is recommended that students include with their application a brief personal statement that discusses academic and professional goals and reasons for wanting to attend Marquette's graduate program.
The curriculum provides the academic and clinical experiences needed to meet certification requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensure requirements of the State of Wisconsin.
Admissions
To be considered for admission into the M.S. program in Speech-Language Pathology, applicants must have a minimum of a B average, defined as a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, the Marquette University Graduate School requires a personal statement, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic and/or clinical work and complete transcripts of all post-secondary work must be submitted to the Graduate School.
The student entering the graduate program without an undergraduate major in speech-language pathology or equivalent must complete the necessary prerequisite courses for graduate study in speech-language pathology as determined by the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Transfer of credits
Normally, a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate work may be transferred from another institution with the consent of the dean of the Graduate School and the director of the graduate studies in speech-language pathology. Credit hours must have been earned in courses directly comparable in content to those offered at the Marquette University Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.
Academic and clinical requirements
Upon entering the master of science program, the student meets with the director of graduate studies and plans a program to meet the requirements for both the master of science degree in speech-language pathology and the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. For students interested in licensure as a public school speech-language clinical, the curriculum meets the requirements of the Department of Public Instruction of the State of Wisconsin for licensure as a school speech-language pathologist.
The M.S. program in speech-language pathology may be completed with a minimum of 46 credits of academic coursework or a minimum of 40 credits of academic course work plus a thesis. Additional coursework may be needed to meet certification and/or licensure requirements. One-half of the total academic course credits must be obtained in courses acceptable for graduate credit only. Subject to approval of the program director, the student may undertake a thesis. Six of the 46 credits required for graduation are allotted for thesis work.
Course scheduling
The graduate program typically takes two years (four semesters and one summer session) to complete. However, the time required to complete degree and certification/licensure requirements may be shorter or longer depending on the student's academic/clinical background before entering Marquette, personal needs and special interests.
The student, along with the director of graduate studies, will plan a program of study that takes into account not only degree and certification/licensure requirements but also the student's special interests.
