Speech-Language Pathology MEd

Program Description

The Masters of Education (MEd) in Speech Pathology trains students to become certified and licensed Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) who can provide clinical services in hospitals, clinics, and schools. All students will receive supervised practicum experiences with client/patient populations across the lifespan and from culturally/linguistically diverse backgrounds, and who have various types and severities of communication and/or related disorders, differences, and disabilities.

The full-time track is a 5-term plan, with 2 terms of full-time coursework in a day program, a summer with some coursework and transition into off-campus externship, with final 2 terms in full-time externships.

The part-time track is a 9-term plan, based on the rationale to provide new master’s level training to individuals who work in Nevada School districts with a Nevada endorsement for Speech and Language Impairments. A part time track would enable the student to continue working during the school year, but take courses in the evening. Some clinical training will be completed in late afternoon/evening and in school settings, and full-time externship opportunities will occur in the summers.

The full-time cohorts begin every fall. The part-time cohorts are currently offered to start every 3 years. The full-time and part-time programs are aligned in curriculum flow, credit hours, and practicum training.

Mission Statement

To equip and empower effective speech-language pathologists to serve as practitioners and researchers to meet the needs of individuals, families, and caregivers impacted by communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. (www.asha.org/policy/sp2016-00343)

Program Goals

  • To provide student-centered learning experiences culminating in a MEd in Speech-Language Pathology.
  • To prepare students for successful completion (100%) of the Praxis examination (administered by ETS), as is required for application to for Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
  • To prepare students for licensure required by the state of Nevada to work at any school or facility in Nevada, with over 90% employment rate.

In addition, content-specific goals include the development of the following in all MEd students:

  • Knowledge of human communication disorders (speech, language, hearing and swallowing) across the lifespan
  • An understanding of different linguistic and cultural communication norms, disorders, and the ability to assimilate academic material into evidence-based practice
  • The ability to think critically and evaluate research relevant to the field of speech-language pathology
  • Knowledge of current standards of practice in the speech-language pathology profession including policies and standards of ASHA and state licensing procedures
  • Behavior in accordance with ethical standards of the profession in academic research and clinical environments
  • The ability to work with other professionals to benefit the care of individuals with communication disorders
  • Knowledge of regulations and record keeping in a variety of clinical settings

Nevada State University will follow the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) 2020 certification standards https://www.asha.org/Certification/2020-SLP-Certification-Standards/#2

Requirements to Apply for the Program

Applicants must:

  1. be a lifelong learner, able to think critically, attend to ethical issues, be prepared for high academic and clinical integrity during your education, and be concerned with client welfare.
  2. have completed a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Students with bachelor’s degrees from other fields should contact the program director regarding premasters prerequisite coursework.
  3. be able to pass a background check to work in clinical settings.
Additional prerequisite (undergraduate) course requirements: If the student does not have evidence of the following courses, the course(s) may need to be added to the graduate program or taken prior to the start of the masters. - biological science, chemistry or physics, statistics, psychology or sociology, a course of study regarding parental involvement and family engagement (for Nevada Department of Education Endorsement for Speech Language Impairment), a course of study on special education (for Nevada Department of Education Endorsement for Speech Language Impairment), diagnostics in speech-language pathology or related field. If not completed, contact program director.

Clinic Hours Requirement

ASHA requires at least 400 hours of clinical experience to satisfy professional certification standards. Typically, each graduate student clinician will accrue at least 375 hours of clinical experience throughout their graduate program. Student must meet the minimum hours, but also meet the ASHA Standards IV-A through IV-G and Standards V-A through V-C: “sufficient in depth and breadth to achieve the specified knowledge and skills outcomes.”

 

Prior Clinical Practicum Hours 

Students may provide evidence of prior clinical practicum hours obtained under a licensed and ASHA certified clinician while in a speech pathology program. The student may be given credit for 25 hours of observation, and up to 50 hours of direct diagnostic or treatment hours, under the discretion of the Program Director and Clinic Director. Prior clinical hours must show evidence of a minimum of 25% supervision by a licensed and ASHA certified clinician, and indicate distinction of diagnostics vs. treatment, type of disorder, and age of client. However, they must be obtained no more than 6 years prior to the start of the graduate program. All paperwork must include documentation signed by the CCC’d supervisor, who provided debriefing/supervision, and approved by the NS clinic director or program director.

NOTE: A criminal background check and a drug screen may be required for placement at practicum sites. Placement at any practicum site is expressly the decision of the site, and is based on the recommendation from the Clinical Director

Completion of program

  1. Coursework completed at satisfactory level, overall GPA minimum 3.0, and any C grades resulted in successful remediation.
  2. All practicum assignments completed, with satisfactory grades and any clinical remediation plan resolved with competencies demonstrated.
  3. All supervisor paperwork received and verified completed by Clinic director.
  4. Academic and practicum materials include completion of ASHA KASA as outlined in CALIPSO that meets https://www.asha.org/Certification/2020-SLP-Certification-Standards/
  5. Successful completion of Exit Exam at 80%. A remediation of a low grade is allowed and successful completion will be approved by the Program Director or a graduate faculty committee. The program may choose to use a case or research presentation in lieu of exam and if so, the cohort will be informed by the start of year 2.
  6. Taking of Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology with scores sent to NSU. The exam is recommended during the last term of practicum Refer to https://www.asha.org/Certification/Certification-Standards-for-SLP--Summative-Assessment/

Accreditation

The Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at Nevada State 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.

 

Full Time Track Curriculum

Practicum (16 credits)

SPA790APracticum Externship I-Beginning

4.00

SPA790BPracticum Externship II-Intermediate

4.00

SPA790CPracticum Externship III-Advanced

8.00

Seminar Classes (7 credits)

SPA759ASeminar I in Clinical Procedures

2.00

SPA759BSeminar II in Clinical Procedures

2.00

SPA759CSeminar III in Clinical Procedures

3.00

Required Classes (28 credits)

SPA660Advanced Speech Sound Disorders

3.00

SPA667Language Assessment and Intervention

3.00

SPA720Research Design

3.00

SPA751AAphasia

3.00

SPA751BCognitive-Communication Disorders

3.00

SPA752Fluency Disorders

3.00

SPA753Motor Speech

3.00

SPA762Voice Disorder

3.00

SPA777Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

4.00

Special Topics in Speech Language Pathology (3-8 credits)

SPA690ATopics in Speech-Language Pathology -Communication with alaryngeal speech, Oral Cancer, Trach & Vent

1.00

SPA690CTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Aural Rehab and Issues in Hearing

1.00

SPA690DTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Multicultural Issues

1.00

Or

SPA690ETopics in Speech-Language Pathology - Bilingualism in Speech Pathology

1.00

Optional Courses:

SPA690Topics in Speech-Language Pathology

3.00

SPA690BTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies

1.00

Thesis (1 credit) (Optional)

SPA797Thesis

1.00

Summary of credit requirements

Required Classes   28
Special Topics   3-8
Seminar Classes   7
Advanced Practicum 

16

Thesis Option
 0-1

Total credits 

54-60

Part Time Track Curriculum (Beginning 2025-2026)

Required Classes (28 credits)

SPA660Advanced Speech Sound Disorders

3.00

SPA667Language Assessment and Intervention

3.00

SPA720Research Design

3.00

SPA751AAphasia

3.00

SPA751BCognitive-Communication Disorders

3.00

SPA752Fluency Disorders

3.00

SPA753Motor Speech

3.00

SPA762Voice Disorder

3.00

SPA777Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders

4.00

Special Topics in Speech Language Pathology (3-8 credits)

SPA690ATopics in Speech-Language Pathology -Communication with alaryngeal speech, Oral Cancer, Trach & Vent

1.00

SPA690CTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Aural Rehab and Issues in Hearing

1.00

SPA690DTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Multicultural Issues

1.00

Or

SPA690ETopics in Speech-Language Pathology - Bilingualism in Speech Pathology

1.00

Optional Courses:

SPA690Topics in Speech-Language Pathology

3.00

SPA690BTopics in Speech-Language Pathology- Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies

1.00

Seminar Classes (7 credits)

SPA759ASeminar I in Clinical Procedures

2.00

SPA759BSeminar II in Clinical Procedures

2.00

SPA759CSeminar III in Clinical Procedures

3.00

Practicum (8-12 credits)

SPA790APracticum Externship I-Beginning

4.00

SPA790BPracticum Externship II-Intermediate

4.00

 

Optional Course (if needed):

SPA790DPracticum Externship IV-Advanced

4.00

Additional Practicum (2-4 credits)

SPA760AAdvanced Practicum I in Schools

1.00

SPA760BAdvanced Practicum II in Schools

1.00

 

Optional Courses:

SPA760CAdvanced Practicum III in Schools

1.00

SPA760DAdvanced Practicum IV in Schools

1.00

Thesis (1 credit) (Optional)

SPA797Thesis

1.00

Summary of credit requirements

Required Classes  28
Special Topics   3-8
Seminar Classes   7
Advanced Practicum   8-12
Advanced Practicum in Schools   2-4
Thesis Option
0-1

Total Credits 

48-60