Our goal is to provide students with a solid foundation to succeed in diverse educational, health care and rehabilitation environments so that they are well prepared for entry level employment as an SLP. To achieve this goal we promote the development of the following:
- The ability to analyze and synthesize information from a broad base of knowledge in communication science and disorders
- A problem-solving attitude of inquiry and decision-making using evidence-based practice
- Clinical competency in prevention, screening, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with varied communication disorders
- The ability to communicate effectively and professionally
- Self-evaluation skills resulting in active steps to develop/refine clinical competencies & extend their knowledge base
- Ethical and responsible professional conduct
- Skills to work in interprofessional settings
The Speech-Language Pathology concentration is a two-year graduate program housed within the Department of Communication Science and Disorders. The department offers both Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) in Communication Science and Disorders degrees with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology. Students who complete a master’s thesis are eligible for the MS degree.
The curriculum exceeds the academic and clinical standards established by the Council on Academic Accreditation, the organization that accredits our educational program.
| Program Summary | |
|---|---|
| 60 credits (full-time only) | Program starts fall term only |
| 2 years (6 terms including 2 summer terms) | |
Entry-level students (with a baccalaureate degree in communication science and disorders) will typically complete the program in two years of study (5 semesters, 60 credits). Some students will elect to complete the program in 6 terms. This program includes both classroom and clinical experience necessary to obtain the master’s degree and qualify for the post graduate Clinical Fellowship (CF). Once the CF is completed, students will be able to obtain their full state license and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language-pathology.
Accreditation
The Master of Arts/Master of Science degree (MA/MS) education program in speech-language pathology is a residential program at the University of Pittsburgh that 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.
