Special Education & Communication Disorders

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Program Description
The graduate program in speech pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The program offers a full range of courses in speech-language pathology leading to a license in speech pathology from the State of Illinois and clinical certification from ASHA . Depending on the course of study, students may also be eligible for a Type 73 certificate to work in the public schools.

The program combines classroom instruction, research, and practical experiences in a variety of settings and is usually completed in two years. This includes two semesters of clinical externship in medical and educational settings. Externships are available in over fifty sites including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, agencies, and educational facilities. Close proximity and easy accessibility to a major metropolitan area allows for a rich diversity in practicum sites available to students.

Students graduating with a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are prepared to accept professional opportunities in health care facilities, community clinics, nursing homes, private practice, administrative positions and a variety of educational settings.

Admissions - Recommendation Forms (PDF)
To be considered for admission to the graduate program in speech-language pathology, students must have a 3.0 overall G.P.A., competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, and three letters of recommendation with at least one being from outside the applicant's academic program providing supportive evidence of the applicant's potential for graduate study. Prospective students must submit the Application for Graduate Study and official transcripts to the Graduate School and GRE General Test scores and letters of recommendation to the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. Recommendation forms may be downloaded or requested by contacting the department at 618-650-5423. Admission is a competitive process. Not all applicants will be admitted to the program.

Externships
Off-campus experiences for practicum are available in hundreds of sites including all major hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, agencies, and educational facilities in essentially any type of setting that students express an interest such as facilities for individuals with head injuries, hearing impairments, cranio-facial anomalies, dysphagia, mental dementia, stuttering, pediatric medical, etc.

Assistantships - Application Form for Head Start Assistantship (PDF)
Currently, nine assistantships are available for students enrolled in the graduate program in speech pathology through the St. Clair County Head Start Program in Illinois. To be eligible for these assistantships, students must have completed undergraduate course work in articulation disorders, language disorders, and 25 hours of clinical practicum. These assistantships are awarded to graduate students who demonstrate academic and clinical excellence. Students provide diagnostic and intervention services to preschool children with communication disorders enrolled in Head Start.

Student Organization
The program sponsors a chapter of The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). NSSLHA is a national organization for students interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior. The SIUE chapter of NSSLHA provides gathering opportunities for students who are interested in the study of communication disorders. Persons interested in joining NSSLHA should contact the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at 618-650-5423. More information concerning current events and projects of the local chapter may be found on the NSSLHA web site.

Speech-Language-Hearing Center
In conjunction with the academic training program, the department operates a Speech Language Hearing Center. The Center provides diagnostic and treatment services each semester for more than 100 individuals who present with a variety of communication problems. The Center also sponsors a group treatment program for individuals with aphasia. Students begin their practicum experiences in the Center as seniors during undergraduate study. As graduate students, they participate in audiology clinic, diagnostic clinic and pediatric and adult clinics in the Center. All clinical activity is supervised and mentored by certified speech-language pathologists.