MHS in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with Emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology
The Master of Health Science (MHS) in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) with an Emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for professional practice in speech-language pathology. Students in this program receive a strong academic and clinical background in current theory and application in the field of communication disorders from faculty who are committed to excellence in teaching and who are involved in clinical and basic research.
Degree Requirements
MHS candidates are required to complete a minimum of 48 semester credit hours in graduate-level courses with grades of B- or higher. No fewer than 24 credit hours must be earned in 8000/9000-level coursework offered by the program. A maximum of 9 credit hours in clinical practicum courses may be counted toward the 48-hour requirement. Additionally, a minimum of 375 hours of clinical practicum that is supervised by certified clinical faculty are required to meet clinical practicum requirements for certification and licensure in the field. In addition to the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic, the city of Columbia and surrounding communities in mid-Missouri provide for a wide range of clinical practicum opportunities as well as a diverse client population. Students who wish to also may pursue clinical practicum experiences in other geographical locations during their final semester in the program. A thesis option also is available for students interested in research and/or further study toward the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
| Required Courses | ||
| SLHS 8020 | Developmental Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 8030 | Acquired Language Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 8200 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 8210 | Disorders of Fluency | 3 |
| SLHS 8225 | Voice Science and Voice Disorders | 3 |
| SLHS 8230 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| SLHS 8240 | Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Disorders | 1 |
| SLHS 8250 | Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLHS 8260 | Diagnosis in Speech-Language Pathology | 3 |
| SLHS 8300 | Neurological Bases of Speech and Language | 2 |
| SLHS 8320 | Speech Sound Disorders | 2 |
| SLHS 8430 | Augmentative and Alternative Communication | 2 |
| SLHS 8500 | Issues in Professional Practice | 2 |
| SLHS 8600 | Clinical Language Analysis | 3 |
| SLHS 8935 | Clinical Practice in Audiology | 1 |
| SLHS 8945 | Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology | 1-10 |
The MHS degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences typically takes students two full years to complete if their baccalaureate degree is in SLHS/CSD. If their undergraduate study was in another field, the degree program requires at a minimum 30 additional credit/semester hours of prerequisite coursework. This coursework may be completed through any college or university that offers an undergraduate degree in SLHS and must include courses in both basic communication sciences and some communication disorders. It is recommended that the student have their prerequisite coursework approved by the Department’s graduate program director prior to application to the MHS degree program. Applicants do not have to complete all prerequisite coursework before applying to, or beginning, the MHS program; however, they must be, at a minimum, in the process of doing so. All students must have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree (in some field) before beginning the MHS program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. For more information, contact the Department at mucsd@health.missouri.edu.
Thesis Option
The student may choose the thesis option for the master’s degree; work toward the thesis may count for up to six semester hours of credit. Successful defense of a thesis satisfies the comprehensive examination degree requirement.
Prerequisite Coursework
All applicants to the MHS program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology must have completed, or be in the process of completing, standard prerequisite course work in SLHS. Any prospective applicant with an undergraduate degree in a major field other than SLHS should contact the Department prior to submitting an application to the MHS program. Prerequisite coursework must be approved by the SLHS Director of Graduate Studies prior to application. Many options exist for completing prerequisite coursework nationwide. Please contact the Department for more information.
Examination
During the final semester of coursework, all students must satisfy the comprehensive examination degree requirement. Most of our master’s degree candidates choose to complete the PRAXIS II Examination in Speech-Language Pathology with a passing score of 162 as this is a requirement for the Certificate of Clinical Competence, for Missouri professional licensure, and for employment as a speech-language pathologist in Missouri public schools. However, additional options include a written comprehensive examination or a successful thesis defense. See the program’s online MHS Student Handbook for additional information.
Admission Contact Information
Kelsey Carroll
umhsshpslhs@health.missouri.edu
308 Lewis Hall; Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 884-6085
Admission Criteria
Deadline for Summer entrance (required for all applicants): February 1
- Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 (on last 60 credit hours of course work)
- Minimum TOEFL scores:
| Internet-based test (iBT) | Paper-based test (PBT) |
|---|---|
| 100* | 600 |
- *
Minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 100, with minimum score of 28 on speaking
- Minimum GRE scores:
| When did you take the GRE? | Verbal + Quantitative | Analytical |
|---|---|---|
| Prior to August 1, 2011 | 1000 (preferred) | |
| On or After August 1, 2011 | 300 (preferred) |
Required Application Materials
All applicants to the MHS program in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology must apply through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) Application. The Applicant Portal Link should open by July 15, 2023, to begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 application cycle. Additional information about the application process may be found on the Speech, Language and Hearing MHS Application web page, which includes the correct institution code for submitting GRE scores.
Students who are accepted into the MHS program and commit to attending the University of Missouri will be required to complete the MU Graduate School's online application which includes an additional fee. Information will be provided when admission is offered.
Admission Process
The current graduate admission process in Speech-Language Pathology is highly competitive nationwide. All MHS admission decisions are made by the Departmental Graduate Admissions Committee.
Financial Aid from the Program
All applicants accepted for admission to the MHS program will be considered for departmental financial aid.