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The graduate program in speech-language pathology provides professional training for a career as a speech-language pathologist. In addition to advanced course work in communication disorders, graduate students in speech-language pathology at Indiana State participate in extensive clinical experiences including a hospital practicum.

Ideally, a prospective graduate student should hold a bachelor's degree in communication disorders or speech language pathology. Graduates with degrees in other areas must take prerequisite undergraduate course work before being admitted to the graduate program. Students work closely with faculty to design programs to fit their individual needs.

"The master's degree (M.S./M.A.) degree education program in speech-language pathology at Indiana State University is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association."  The ISU graduate program in speech-langauge pathology meets the ASHA requirements and must be completed in order to be certified by ASHA or licensed by IBESPA (Indiana Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) or the equivalent licensing agency in another state.

The graduate program consists of a total of 39 semester hours of course work plus a culminating 9 hr clinical/practicum internship in a hospital or rehabilitation center (total 48 semester hours). It may be completed within one and one-half years, assuming enrollment during fall, spring, intersession, summer session I and summer session II during the first year, and fall semester of the second year (where the student is off-campus in a clinical experience of 8-12 weeks). Students with a bachelor's degree from ISU will usually satisfy all ASHA requirements upon completion of the master's degree. Students coming from other programs may need to complete additional course work as determined by the graduate advisor (e.g., phonological disorders, diagnostics, clinics, methods, and/or student teaching experiences). Individuals with a bachelor's degree but without an undergraduate major in speech-language pathology who wish to apply to the graduate program will need to consider up to four semesters of undergraduate work prior to applying for graduate status.

Because of the high number of applications and limited faculty size, it has been necessary for us to limit the graduate class to approximately 15 to 22 students. The number of acceptances depends upon the educational/clinical needs of previously accepted students and the amount of extended time they need to complete requirements. The graduate selection committee is made up of all Communication Disorders faculty who meet three times during the year to consider applications. In December, the committee will meet and make early decisions so exceptional students will be able to make early plans. In March, the committee will have a second meeting at which all candidates not already admitted will be rank ordered and notified of their status. In April, the committee will make final selections based on any slots made available from accepted students who have declined. Students are also encouraged to request/submit applications for assistantships at the same time they submit their applications for admission. Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.0 and no less than 450 verbal and 450 quantitative on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

MAJOR: 39 HOUR

RESEARCH: 3 semester hour