Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) degree prepares competent and dedicated professionals to serve adults and children with communication disorders. Students in the MS-SLP program meet the highest academic, clinical and ethical standards.
Academic coursework is primarily taught in person, with some courses delivered online (less than 50%) during the program’s second year. This six-semester program (over 2 years) allows students to explore all aspects of the field of SLP while working to better the lives of people with communication and swallowing difficulties.
The MS-SLP program requires 57 credit hours over six semesters.
Graduates are eligible for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and New York state (NYS) licensure. Additionally, students will be eligible for teaching licensure through completing the MS-SLP degree and other requirements for the Pathway: NYS Professional License and Process to Work in K-12 Schools.
Clinical Experiences
Students complete a total of six clinical experiences over the program.
The first two clinical practicum experiences are completed primarily through simulation experiences and limited evaluation and treatment experiences (school and community screenings or specialized clinics).
Following completion of the first two semesters of coursework and practicum, students complete two semesters of part-time internships in the community, with the final two internships being full-time.
The Division of SLP operates the Binghamton University Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic. In addition, we have relationships with many community facilities, including school districts, nonprofit organizations, hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. These diverse clinical settings are chosen to allow students a variety of experiences.
Capstone Project
MS-SLP students learn about the importance of research by completing a research experience. All students are assigned to a faculty member for this experience, which starts during the program's first semester and culminates in a capstone project. Students may choose to complete a thesis in place of the capstone project.
Curriculum
Fall semester, year 1 |
|
| Course | Credits |
| SLP 500 Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| SLP 510 Healthcare Delivery | 3 |
| SLP 520 Pediatric Language | 3 |
| SLP 560 Neurogenic Communication Disorders I | 3 |
| SLP 565 Exploring Research in SLP | 3 |
| Total credits this semester | 13 |
Spring semester, year 1 |
|
| SLP 501 Clinical Practicum II | 1 |
| SLP 521 Language Disorders in School Age and Adolescents | 3 |
| SLP 532 Dysphagia | 3 |
| SLP 550 Articulation and Phonological Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 561 Neurogenic Communication Disorders II | 3 |
| Total credits this semester | 13 |
Summer term, year 1 |
|
| SLP 541 Stuttering | 3 |
| SLP 590 Internship I | 2 |
| Total credits this term | 5 |
Fall semester, year 2 |
|
| SLP 530 Counseling | 3 |
| SLP 535 Voice and Pharyngeal Disorders | 2 |
| SLP 581 Autism and Intellectual Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 591 Internship II | 2 |
| Total credits this semester | 10 |
Spring semester, year 2 |
|
| SLP 575 Professional Issues in the Schools | 2 |
| SLP 580 Augmentative and Alternative Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SLP 592 Internship III | 4 |
| Total credits this semester | 9 |
Summer term, year 2 |
|
| SLP 593 Internship IV | 4 |
|
SLP 585 Thesis — students completing a thesis will take this course OR SLP 598 Independent Study — students completing a capstone will take this course and present their capstone project this semester |
3 |
|
Total credits this term |
7 |
|
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION |
57 |
Course Descriptions
SLP 500 Clinical Practicum I (1 credit) Provides students with supervised therapeutic experiences in a simulated setting.
SLP 501 Clinical Practicum II (1 credit) Students will complete supervised therapeutic experiences assisting in community settings and simulated activities.
SLP 510 Healthcare Delivery (3 credits) This is an interprofessional course with students in various health and behavioral healthcare professions. Foundational knowledge necessary to understand the organization of the healthcare system and healthcare delivery in the U.S. is provided in this course.
SLP 520 Pediatric Language Disorders (3 credits) This course provides the conceptual framework for understanding language disorders in the pediatric and preschool populations. Special emphasis is placed on the application and theory of assessment as well as intervention for children in this age group.
SLP 521 Language Disorders in School-Age and Adolescents (3 credits) This course provides students with the conceptual framework for understanding language disorders in school-age children and adolescents. Special emphasis is placed on the application and theory of assessment as well as intervention for children in this age group.
SLP 530 Counseling in SLP (3 credits) This course focuses on counseling approaches that are helpful in supporting individuals with communication disorders and their families. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the psychological and social impact of communication disorders.
SLP 532 Dysphagia (3 credits) This course introduces students to the nature, evaluation and management of feeding and swallowing disorders from infancy through adulthood. Specific etiologies, instrumentation utilized in evaluation and evidence-based treatments are explored.
SLP 535 Voice and Pharyngeal Disorders (2 credits) This is an advanced course in evaluating and treating voice and resonance disorders. Discussion focuses on normal voice production and assessing and treating voice and resonance disorders.
SLP 541 Stuttering (3 credits) This course introduces students to the nature, assessment and treatment of stuttering in children, adolescents and adults. Other fluency disorders will be reviewed.
SLP 550 Articulation and Phonological Disorders (3 credits) Students will be introduced to the nature of speech sound disorders at the articulatory and phonological levels. Speech sound acquisition, assessment, treatment and consideration of special populations will be reviewed.
SLP 560 Neurogenic Communication Disorders I (3 credits) Students will learn about the etiology, nosology and characteristics of adult neurogenic language disorders. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the assessment and treatment of adult neurogenic disorders.
SLP 561 Neurogenic Communication Disorders II (3 credits) Students will learn the general speech characteristics that accompany motor speech disorders, understand the basic assessment techniques for differential diagnosis and explore appropriate treatment strategies used for motor speech disorders.
SLP 565 Exploring Research in SLP (3 credits) Students will explore the methods and process of research and learn how to critically review pertinent research in the field. The course will culminate in the development of an independent research project or paper that will lead to the capstone project required for graduation.
SLP 575 Professional Issues (2 credits) This course covers professional issues in speech-language pathology. Broad topics related to laws, licensure and issues with practice will be explored.
SLP 580 Augmentative and Alternative Communication Disorders (3 credits) The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of information related to the theories, strategies and techniques that are unique to the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The focus will include an in-depth review of the assessment process and the AAC needs of individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities across the age continuum.
SLP 581 Autism and Intellectual Disorders (3 credits) Students will explore the human experience of those individuals on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual disabilities.
SLP 585 Thesis (3 credits) This course will provide students time to complete a thesis that will fulfill program requirements. Each student’s academic advisor will ensure the student has completed all steps of the research process, developed the idea fully and completed the thesis to fulfill the requirements set forth by the graduate school.
SLP 590 Internship I (2 credits) This course provides students with supervised practicum experiences at an off-campus site, including schools, hospitals, agencies, rehabilitation clinics, work training sites and other community sites where persons with disabilities are served. This is the first of four internships required of the student.
SLP 591 Internship II (2 credits) This course provides students with supervised practicum experiences at an off-campus site, including schools, hospitals, agencies, rehabilitation clinics, work training sites and other community sites where persons with disabilities are served. This is the second of four internships required of the student.
SLP 592 Internship III (4 credits) This course provides students with supervised practicum experiences at an off-campus site, including schools, hospitals, agencies, rehabilitation clinics, work training sites and other community sites where persons with disabilities are served. This is the third of four internships required of the student.
SLP 593 Full-Time Internship (4 credits) Advanced graduate students will complete a supervised practicum experience at an off-campus site, including schools, hospitals, agencies, rehabilitation clinics, work training sites and other community sites where persons with disabilities are served. This is the fourth of four internships required of the student, and this internship will be full-time.
SLP 598 Independent Study (3 credits) Advanced study of a topic of special interest. It is expected that students are either master’s- or doctoral-level students who are doing advanced training in research and teaching. Thus, students are expected to complete a research project as part of this course. This course can be repeated up to four times.
