Communication Sciences

Speech-Language-Hearing Program

General Description

The Master's Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology has been in existence for decades. The Department has achieved consistent recognition as one of the premier departments of its kind in the United States. The faculty maintains a strong commitment to the education of first-rate clinical professionals able to deal creatively with the broadest possible range of populations and settings. We are also committed to maintaining an active research program in the Department. The Department is able to provide students with a rich variety of supervised clinical experiences at its own Speech and Hearing Center on the University's main campus and at any of more than eighty field settings throughout the Delaware Valley. In addition, the Department maintains strong connections with faculty members and practitioners at Temple University Hospital, Medical School, and other departments in the College of Allied Health Professions. The Program has been approved in Speech-Language Pathology by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and is accredited in Speech-Language Pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). ASHA accreditation has been maintained without interruption since 1968. Graduates of the Program have consistently gone on to significant careers throughout the United States and abroad. Opportunities exist for pursuing research interests under faculty guidance through independent study courses or the writing of a Master's thesis. In addition, students may elect coursework and practicum options emphasizing clinical service to Hispanic populations or to infants and very young children.

Criteria for Admission

• A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

• Scores of 500 or higher on the verbal and on the quantitative sections of the Graduate
• Record Examination (GRE), as documented by official ETS score reports.

• A grade point average of 3.0 or above in all previous post-secondary academic work, as documented by official transcripts from all institutions attended.

• At least two letters of recommendation from persons able to assess realistically the applicant's potential for graduate study.

• A personal statement addressing one’s interest and aptitude for this area of study including both academic and clinical considerations.

In a limited number of cases, exceptions are made to the requirements noted in (b) and/or (c) above. That is, some students present credentials showing that they can bring special or unusual strengths to the program, and we do take such factors into consideration.

Additionally, foreign students who are not native speakers of English must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Score criteria are those established by the Graduate School and published in the Graduate Bulletin. Foreign applicants must also document their financial ability to study at Temple in order to receive a student visa. Forms for this purpose are available from the Office of International Services, Vivacqua Hall 203B, Temple University 062-57, Philadelphia, Pa. 19122. Finally, foreign students must be engaged in full time study.

Prerequisites

Entering graduate students are required to demonstrate knowledge in certain content areas regarded as prerequisite to successful graduate study in speech, language, and hearing. While these prerequisite requirements have been determined by the Department faculty, they closely parallel requirements established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Because these prerequisites are stated in terms of academic content rather than specific coursework, it is possible to meet them either by showing evidence of prior coursework of appropriate depth and rigor or by examination. The prerequisite areas are listed below, together with the Temple undergraduate courses that fulfill them.

Students entering the Graduate Program with a Baccalaureate degree in speech-language-hearing will usually have sufficient prior coursework to fulfill all or nearly all prerequisites. Those who enter from other fields, or from undergraduate speech and hearing programs with markedly different requirements, will usually find that they must take a substantial number of undergraduate courses and/or examinations to satisfy these requirements. Students who are admitted to the Program with a small number of prerequisites not fulfilled may make arrangements to complete them in their first year of graduate study. Students who need to fulfill greater than 75% of the prerequisites should expect to spend at least one additional year of study in the program.

Academic Prerequisite Areas (includes Temple undergraduate coursework which fulfills requirement):

Area 1: Speech and Language Development

Comm Sci 301 - Speech and Language Development 3SH

Area 2: Structure of Language

Comm Sci 207 - Phonetics 2SH

Comm Sci 208 - Phonology 2SH

Comm Sci 217 - Grammatical Description 2SH

Comm Sci 218 - Language Processing 2SH

Area 3: Anatomical, Physiological, Neurological, and Physical Bases of Speech and Hearing

Comm Sci 233 - Basic Speech Science 4SH

Comm Sci 234 - Basic Hearing Science 4SH

Comm Sci 235 – Human Neuroscience 4SH

Comm Sci 300 - Principles of Audiology 3SH

Comm Sci 336 - Orientation to Clinical Management 3SH

Area 4: Quantitative Methods and Research

Comm Sci 201 - Research Methods in Communication Sciences 3SH

M.A. Requirements. For course descriptions, click here.

Speech-Language Core (20 SH)

Comm Sci 436 Orientation to Clinical Management (3)

Comm Sci 521 Child Language Disorders: Pre School (2)

Comm Sci 522 Disorders of Articulation/Phonology: Management (2)

Comm Sci 532 Rehabilitative Audiology I (3)

Comm Sci 525 Fluency Disorders: Management (2)

Comm Sci 526 Adult Language Disorders: Foundations (2)

Comm Sci 528 Voice Disorders: Management (2)

Comm Sci 530 Principles of Audiology (3)

Comm Sci 531 Training in Audiology (1)

Advanced Courses and Electives (16)

Education 431 Augmentative and Alternative Communication I and II

Comm Sci 722 Dysphagia in adults and children (2)

Comm Sci 724 Adult Language Disorders: Management (2)

Comm Sci 725 Disorders of Artic/Phonology: Special Populations(2)

Comm Sci 726 Child Language Disorders: School-Age (2)

Comm Sci 727 Fluency Disorders: Special Populations (2)

Comm Sci 728 Voice Disorders: Special Populations (2)

Comm Sci 821 Child Language Disorders: Readings (2)

Elective

Elective

Elective

Typical Course of Study (assuming that all prerequisites are complete)

Clinical Practicum Sites

Temple University's graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology offers a multitude of clinical practicum placements. Placements provide students with exposure to clients ranging in age from infants to older adults, to a wide range of communicative disorders, and to ethnically diverse populations.

The City of Philadelphia and the surrounding regions (including Northeastern PA, Southern New Jersey, Northern Delaware) are rich in teaching institutions, hospitals, rehabilitation sites, and professional service agencies. Students therefore are exposed to a variety of clinical settings as well. We consider the breadth and depth of clinical practicum experiences that we offer to be one of the great strengths of our program.

Special Program Options

1. Master's Thesis

Students interested in conducting a major piece of supervised research may elect to write a Master's thesis under the advisement of a member of the departmental faculty. Up to six elective credits may be used for thesis research, and the finished work is presented orally to a meeting of faculty and students.

2. Multilingual - Multicultural

This program option allows qualified students to develop expertise in the delivery of speech, language, and hearing services to a diverse clientele. Students electing this option must take Comm Sci 824 (Seminar: Language and Culture) as one of their electives, and are required to pass a proficiency test in Spanish at the beginning of the program, although they are not required to be native speakers of Spanish. Other languages are accepted by appeal. Practicums are arranged to include clients from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

3. Early Intervention Emphasis Program

This option allows students to achieve expertise in providing speech/languageservices to families with infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Students must take 9 elective credits in this area, as follows:

Comm Sci 830 Interdisciplinary Infant/Toddler Seminar

Comm Sci 824 Seminar in Language and Culture

Three 1-credit miniseminars in relevant topics

In addition, a practicum must be taken in an early intervention setting.

For further information specific to the M.A. program in Speech/Language Pathology you may also consult the M.A. manual.