Master of Arts (M.A.) in Speech Language Pathology

The M.A. program in Speech-Language Pathology is offered by the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. This program is available to post-baccalaureate students who have completed undergraduate pre-requisites in hearing and speech sciencescommunication sciences and disorders. The SPLA program is an academically based, clinically oriented program designed primarily to prepare professional Speech-Language Pathologists. While information pertaining to communication disorders comprises the central focus of the degree, education about the normal processes of communication, as well as about research methods, is considered an integral part of the program. Students completing the program are eligible to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A) of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and licensure in the State of Maryland and other states. The program typically takes 2 years of study (5 semesters, including the intervening summer and winter semesters). Students have the option of pursuing a Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Emphasis track as part of their M.A. degree. Additionally, students can concurrently pursue a post-baccalaureate Bilingual Certificate Program in Speech-Language Pathology.

Admission to the M.A. program is on a very competitive basis. Each year, the Department receives approximately 250-300 applications for 25 anticipated spaces in the M.A. program in Speech-Language Pathology. Successful M.A. applicants typically have earned at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA (with 3.7-3.8 being the average), and have strong GRE scores and letters of recommendation and a Resume. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the Department requires applicants to furnish scores on the Graduate Record Examination. Admission to the M.A. and CAUD programs is solely confined to fall matriculation. All students must finish their undergraduate program-specific prerequisite classes before matriculating in the fall. Prospective applicants should note that decisions on admissions are made in early March. Only full-time students are admitted.