Speech-Language Pathology Curriculum
Curriculum
The graduate curriculum meets the standards set by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) and consists of 63 semester hours: 36 in didactic coursework and 27 in clinical coursework. Didactic courses are taught on campus; clinical courses are delivered both on campus in WCU's Speech and Hearing Clinic and off campus at affiliation sites, including schools and hospitals/rehabilitation centers.
Clinical coursework provides students with opportunities to accumulate a minimum of 400 supervised clock hours in therapy and diagnostics, partially fulfilling the requirements for the post-graduate Clinical Fellowship (CF)—a prerequisite for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) awarded by ASHA.
The total credit hours required may vary from 63 depending on two factors:
- Credits transferred into the program from another institution
- Undergraduate prerequisite deficiencies (e.g., missing coursework in chemistry or physics, biology, statistics, lifespan development, or neurology of speech and language)
Sample Curriculum Course Plan
Year 1
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 501 | Research Foundations | 1 |
| SLP 511 | Child Language I | 3 |
| SLP 515 | Motor Speech | 2 |
| SLP 526 | Artic & Phonology | 3 |
| SLP 543 | Aural Rehab | 3 |
| SLP 545 | AAC | 3 |
| Total Cr | 15 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 512 | Child Language II | 3 |
| SLP 516 | Adult Neuro Lang & Cog | 3 |
| SLP 551 | Clinic | 3 |
| SLP 523 | Voice Disorders | 3 |
| Total Cr | 12 |
Winter
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 598 | Wkshp in Comm Disorders | 3 |
| Total Cr | 3 |
Summer
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 545 | Clinic | 3 |
| Total Cr | 3 |
Year 2
Fall
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 524 | Fluency | 3 |
| SLP 551 | Clinic | 3 |
| SLP 570 | School Programs | 3 |
| SLP 582 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| Total Cr | 12 |
Spring
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 553 | First Affiliation | 9 |
| SLP 575 | Med SLP | 3 |
| Total Cr | 12 |
Winter
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cr | 0 |
Summer
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SLP 552 | Second Affiliation | 6 |
| Total Cr | 6 |
Program Progression
The MA Program is a full-time, residential program requiring availability for in-person, daytime classes and evening clinic sessions. Students progress through the program as a cohort of approximately 36 peers, beginning in the fall semester and completing the degree over two years across six to seven semesters, including two summers.
Academic Standards
To remain in good standing, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale, consistent with West Chester University's minimum standard for all graduate programs. Students must also demonstrate mastery of all knowledge and skills outlined in ASHA's Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) standards. Additional graduation requirements include passing three comprehensive examinations and the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology—a standardized national exam that is also a prerequisite for the CCC-SLP awarded by ASHA. While thesis research is encouraged, it is not required for graduation.
Knowledge and Skills Acquisition Tracking
The MA in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum is designed to meet the Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) standards required for graduates entering a Clinical Fellowship (CF) and pursuing the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) awarded by ASHA. KASA standards are embedded across courses throughout the curriculum, and each student's progress toward meeting those standards is tracked using CALIPSO, a web-based clinical education platform.
Requirements for Earning the PA Education Specialist in SLP
Graduates who wish to practice in Pennsylvania schools may also qualify for the PA Educational Specialist Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology by completing the additional requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). For details, visit the College of Education and Social Work Certification page.
English Proficiency Requirements
Given the scope of practice in speech-language pathology and the program's mission to prepare students for the CCC-SLP, oral English proficiency is an essential competency. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit evidence of satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to the Graduate College before their application can be processed; WCU's Graduate School specifies the policies for international applicants and minimum acceptable scores.
If a student whose primary language is not English demonstrates significant difficulty with clinical tasks—such as speech perception, speech and language modeling, comprehending disordered speech or language, writing clinical reports, or counseling families—the student will be asked to address those areas through an individualized success plan.
Additional Information
If you require additional information about the graduate program, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Reva Zimmerman, at RZimmerman@wcupa.edu.