The Marshall University Master of Science degree program for speech language pathology will allow you to practice professionally as an entry level speech-language pathologist (SLP) upon completion of the program. Located in Huntington, West Virginia, our accredited speech pathology degree program will teach you how to diagnose and treat individuals with articulation, language, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, social communication and swallowing disorders. As a speech pathology graduate student, you will become proficient in assessing and treating a variety of communication disorders and work with clients of all ages including those with apraxia of speech, hearing impairments, brain injuries, autism spectrum disorders and Down Syndrome. Speech pathologists are also able to change practice settings and populations over the course of a career with opportunities to create your own hours through private practice.
Being an SLP gives you the chance to make a difference in a person’s life in a very significant way. The ability to communicate is so essential, and as a student in our speech pathology graduate program, you will help individuals lead successful and communicative lives.
ACCREDITATION The Master of Science, (M.S) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Marshall University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Communication Disorders majors, faculty members, other speech-language pathologists, and Audiologists, and/or the public can contact the CAA regarding program standards and regulations. The CAA may be contacted by writing: Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | 2200 Research Boulevard, #310 | Rockville, MD. 20850 | 800-498-2071 | accreditation@asha.org | CAA Accredited Since December 1, 1992
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A diverse faculty with a wide variety of specialty areas in the fields of speech therapy, audiology, stuttering, literacy and much more
Research opportunities that allow students to work closely with board-certified faculty in the student’s area of interest.
A variety of community-based and global opportunities for SLP students to earn college credit.
- Private Practice Clinics
- Public and Private Schools
- Hospitals, Rehabilitation Centers and Nursing Facilities
- Travel Therapy/Telepractice
- Home Health & Early Intervention
Admission Requirements
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in this catalog.
The Department of Communication Disorders at Marshall University is participating in the central application system known as CSDCAS. Applicants will apply online using the CSDCAS application. To learn more about the CSDCAS application process, visit https://www.csdcas.org/.
Completed applications along with all supporting materials, including official transcripts with courses and grades from the preceding term, must be received by the January 15 deadline to receive priority consideration for admission the following fall. Official transcripts must be received by CSDCAS by January 15 for priority consideration. In addition, applicants must also meet the requirements below:
- An undergraduate degree (or pending degree) in Communication Disorders from an accepted, accredited institution is required. Students with deficits in undergraduate coursework, or those wishing public school certification, may need to complete additional requirements. Applicants must submit their most recent transcript, including grades for the fall semester that precedes the application deadline. Students admitted to the graduate program will be required to submit final, official transcripts following completion of the undergraduate degree.
- Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a field other than communication disorders will be required to take foundational/leveling-up courses. Courses which are required include:
a. CD 101 : Introduction to Communication Disorders
b. CD 228: Language and Speech Development
c. CD 239: Phonetics
d. CD 229: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
e. CD 322: Developmental Speech Disorders
f. CD 328: Developmental Language Disorders
g. CD 460: Audiology
h. CD 427: Therapeutics (with 25 hours of observation) - An Overall and Communication Disorders Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for full-time admission. A student may be admitted for provisional enrollment with an overall or Communication Disorders GPA between 2.5 - 3.0 when the applicant possesses a degree and shows academic promise but does not meet the criteria for full admission. Refer to the Graduate College for further explanation of "provisional enrollment."
- All applicants must submit a personal statement or letter of intent.
- All applicants must have three individuals, each of whom can comment on the applicant's academic and/or clinical performance and potential, submit letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from one of the applicant's classroom instructors in communication disorders or other relevant field of study.
- All completed applications which are "verified" via CSDCAS are reviewed on an ongoing basis in the spring semester each year. Generally, the program receives more applications than exists capacity, therefore, the selection process is competitive.
- Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a formal interview with faculty during the spring semester.
Note: Applicants who are selected by the program will receive further instructions from the Communication Disorders Graduate Program Director regarding formal application to Marshall University Graduate College. All admissions are term specific.
International applicants will be required to submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score in addition to the other requirements described for consideration. The minimum TOEFL scores to be considered for admission must be a Total Score of 105 with the minimum section requirement of "Speaking" of 26; an IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.5 on the speaking and listening segment is required. The English requirement is waived for applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from an accepted, accredited college or university in the United States.
International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university outside of the United States must complete their credential evaluation WES International Credential Advantage Package (ICA) from the World Education Services (WES) and have the report sent to CSDCAS. Official or attested transcripts, diplomas and/or other required credentials from all foreign institutions attended may also be required by the Marshall University International Admissions Office, for the determination of GPA, degree level, and course equivalencies. For additional information, visit https://www.marshall.edu/admissions/international/.
Early Assurance Program
The Marshall University Master of Science in Communication Disorders allows high school seniors to apply for acceptance to the Communication Disorders Master of Science Early Assurance program. Successful applicants will have guaranteed admission pending completion of all undergraduate requirements and meeting all Communication Disorders M.S. admission requirements.
Deadlines
- Applications for Early Assurance Program Open: September 15 of the student's high school senior year.
- Early Assurance Application Deadline: January 15 of the student’s high school senior year.
- Letters of Recommendation/Official Transcript/ACT or SAT Score Report Deadline: January 15 of the student's high school senior year.
- Interviews for the MUCD Early Assurance Program (required): March through April.
Admission Requirements
This program is designed for highly motivated high school students (in-state or out-of-state) who want to become speech-language pathologists and have achieved the following criteria:
Minimum composite ACT score of 25 or SAT composite score of 1200. Super scores permitted. (The ACT Super score takes the average of the four best subject scores from each ACT test attempt and counts it as your official score).
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Personal Essay
- Two letters of reference/recommendation from high school teachers
- Invitation for on-campus interview between March and April with the Marshall University Communication Disorders Early Assurance Committee
Continuing Requirements
- Students must declare an undergraduate major in Communication Disorders
- Students may consider two curricular options, (3yr+2yr or 4yr+2yr). Students who begin their freshman year with 20-24 hours of college credit may be considered for a 3yr+2yr curriculum. A 4yr+2yr track allows for a traditional four-year undergraduate experience before entering the graduate program
- Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA each semester (CD and overall)
- Must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all prerequisite courses. Follow this link for more details https://www.marshall.edu/communication-disorders/undergraduate/.
- Students should complete at least 25 hours of clinical observation by the end of their senior year
- Students must meet all regular Communication Disorders M.S admission requirements
Application Process
- Students must apply and be accepted into the undergraduate program and declare a major at Marshall University prior to applying to the MUCD Early Assurance Program
- Students must complete the Early Assurance Program application which can be found on the department's webpage no later than January 15. Within the application students will be asked to submit:
- Application form
- Essay detailing why the student wishes to pursue a degree in communication disorders
- Official high school transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores
- Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers who have had the applicant in class and are familiar with the applicant’s academic performance
- Students should also send formal high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores to Marshall University.
- Students should be aware that an incomplete application package could negatively impact the selection process.
- Applicants will be reviewed by the MUCD Early Assurance Committee.
- All applicants will be notified in writing if they have been selected for an interview by the end of April.
- Finalists will be required to participate in an on-campus interview.
- The MUCD Admissions Committee will select the applicants who will be accepted into the program.
- During the last year of the student’s undergraduate program, they must submit an application for admission to the CD M.S. program and meet all CD MS admission requirements.
Program Features
- Personal advising by faculty in the Department of Communication Disorders in addition to College of Health Professions advising.
- Mentoring from a current graduate student in Communication Disorders
- Access to programming and activities that provide a firsthand look into the field of speech-language pathology
- Early clinical shadowing experience across multiple professions for an interprofessional experience