Degree Requirements

Master’s Degree Requirements

The master’s degree program requires the equivalent of four semesters of full-time study plus a minimum of 4 credits during the summer, the exact number depending on the specific prerequisites that have been completed prior to entering the graduate program. All course plans are individualized based on student needs. Course selection depends upon the student’s undergraduate preparation and professional and certification goals. For students who matriculated in September 2023, a minimum of 67 credits plus successful completion of a comprehensive written examination are required. For students who matriculate in September 2024, a minimum of 68 credits plus successful completion of a comprehensive written examination are required. For qualified students, a thesis may be substituted for the written examination.

The program prepares students for employment in healthcare, private practice, educational, and community settings.

Grade Point Average

Continued enrollment in the graduate program is contingent upon the maintenance of a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 in any semester are placed on probation and are ineligible to participate in a clinical experience while on probation. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 for more than one consecutive semester will be terminated from the program. This applies to all graduate students enrolled for more than 4 credits in a semester. The acceptability of C or C+ work in required courses is subject to departmental faculty approval. Required courses receiving grades of C– and below must be repeated; a student may repeat a required course only once.

A clinical practicum experience that receives a grade of B– or below must be repeated. If a student receives a second grade of B– or below in a clinical practicum experience, they will be terminated from the program. To count clinical practicum clock and credit hours toward ASHA certification, the student must receive a practicum grade of B– or better.

For prerequisite courses that are being completed by matriculating MS students, any course with a grade of C or below must be repeated. Matriculating MS students must also achieve a grade of B or higher in SAR SH 547/647 Introduction to the Clinical Process before they are eligible to enroll in SAR SH 740 Introduction to Practicum.