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Program Details

Graduate Program: Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (MS)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (MS)  
Program Description

Our masters program involves both coursework exploring the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders across the lifespan and hands-on training in the department’s in-house and external pediatric and adult clinical practicum sites. Our masters students are encouraged to become involved in cutting-edge research with the program’s internationally-recognized research faculty. Our program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Our students may have opportunities that include the Aphasia Clinic, the Cochlear Implant Habilitation Program, the Autism Clinic Extension, Diamond Children’s/University of Arizona Medical Center, Chapel Haven West, The Child Language Center/Wings on Words Program, the ALS/MDA Clinic located at University of Arizona Medical Center, and and working with clients with AAC.  We have many additional opportunities not listed here.

We offer a traditional two-year MS program for students with a background in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences as well a three-year MS program designed for students with a background in another area of study.   Determination of the two-year vs. three-year track is made by the faculty based on a review of each application.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Speech Language & Hearing Sciences

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at The University of Arizona offers graduate education regarding the science of human communication and disorders, training for clinical careers in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and preparation for research careers in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

Our faculty members are active researchers, dynamic classroom instructors, and are leaders in the profession.  Students learn foundational knowledge, cutting-edge research findings, and evidence-based practice in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

We offer the following graduate degree and certificate programs:

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MS)
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (PhD)
Multicultural and Bilingual Certificate Program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (Certificate)

Graduate Minor in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

 
College

College of Science

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Nickole Hayward
520-621-1192
Graduate Program Coordinator
Nickole Hayward
520-621-1192
Director of Graduate Studies
Kate E Bunton
520-621-2210
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Tammy Tran
520-621-0119
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Detailed information about the application process is available here: https://slhs.arizona.edu/graduate-program-application-instructions

Primary Application: Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS)

  • Personal Statement
    • The personal statement serves as both a writing sample and a chance for you to let us know about your interest in the field. The best personal statements do not simply repeat information already addressed in the application, but give us insight into the candidate. There is no “formula” for a good personal statement, so don’t worry if your story is different from your peers. We appreciate diversity.
    • In one page, single-spaced, size 11 or 12 font, with standard margins, address the following:
      • a. Explain why you are interested in the field of Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. You may comment on aspects of the discipline that interest you, insights gained from coursework, clinical, research or other personal experiences.
      • b. Describe your career goals.
  • Resume
    • Please list any relevant experiences you have had in the following areas:
    • Leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and volunteer experiences
    • Research experience.
    • Supervised clinical practicum experiences [include the nature of the disorder(s)]
    • Work experience (including military experience)
    • Any academic, scholarly, or professional awards you have received​
    • For each experience, please address the following: Time you spent doing the activity (ex: 20 hours per week, 5 hours a month), Date range of your experience (ex: August 2018 – May 2020), A few bullet points to highlight information about your experiences. Include your responsibilities, accomplishments, and what you learned.
  • Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities that you attended

Secondary Application: UA Graduate College Application

  • Three Letters of Recommendation from individuals who can comment on your academic and clinical skills and/or your research potential.  We recommend that at least two letters be from faculty members.
  • Unofficial Transcripts from all colleges/universities that you attended

Other Requirements

  • ASHA Required Coursework for certification
    • 1 course in Physical Science (Physics or Chemistry)
    • 1 course in Biological Sciences (human or animal emphasis)
    • 1 course in Behavioral/Social Sciences
    • 1 statistics course
  • Meet the Technical Standards for Speech-Language Pathology program
 
Standardized Tests

International Students need to meet the guidelines for admission for the Graduate College. Details are found here:  https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants

 
Funding Opportunities
  • Teaching and Research Assistantships
  • Fellowships
  • Scholarships
 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants: February 1

International Applicants:  February 15

We do not offer Spring or Summer admission.

 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

The Master of Science academic preparation and clinical training is broad based, including coursework across a range of communication disorders.  

SLHS    Title                   Units

501      Professional Issues     1

511      Tool School     1

512      Evaluation Process in Speech-Language Pathology   3

543      Adult Language Disorders II    3

544      Adult Language Disorders I     3

552      Language Disorders School‐Age Children       3

555      Developmental Language Disorders   3

557      Dysphagia       3

566      Preclinical Speech Science      3

572      Speech Disorders I      3

574      Speech Disorders II     3

575      Neuromotor Speech Disorders           3

597-01      Workshop: Intro to Research       1

597-02     Workshop: Research Methods           1

 

 
Elective Coursework

In addition to the required coursework listed above, elective courework is available to enhance program of study.  Electives available within the department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Science include:

SLHS 510  Counseling (Fall, 7 week, 1 unit)

SLHS 535  Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, & Nonmainstream Dialects (Spring, 3 units)

SLHS 597  Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Workshop; Spring, 2 units)

SLHS 597  Medical Speech-Language Pathology (Workshop; Spring, 7 week, 1 unit)

SLHS 597  Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Workshop; (Fall, 7 week, 1 unit)

SLHS 597  Vocal Wellness and Voice Production for the Classroom and Clinic  (Workshop; Fall & Spring, 7 week, 1 unit)

SLHS 597  Language and Imaging (Workshop; Spring, 2 units)

SLHS 696a Topics in Speech and Language (Seminar; check for current offerings)

 
Additional Requirements

Students completing the MS degree in clinical sciences must have coursework and practicum experiences meeting the certification requirements of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA), this includes courses in these areas: 

571      Speech Sound Disorders         3

554      Auditory Rehabilitation          3

In addition, to meet ASHA requirements a demonstration of knowledge and skills in specified areas and a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum must be completed in the practice of speech-language pathology. This includes:

  • 25 hours of clinical observation followed by 375 hours of direct contact 
  • Up to 75 hours of direct contact can be transferred from an undergraduate program 
  • At least 325 hours must be completed during graduate training in at least three distinct settings. 
  • ASHA allows for up to 75 hours to be obtained through alternative clinical education. These opportunities will be defined by the clinical faculty.
 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 9.23%
Avg. Time-to-degree (years) 2.00
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 8.06%
Enrollment Percent Female 91.94%
Enrollment Percent International 4.84%
Enrollment Percent URM 27.42%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2022.
  • Average Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2018-2022) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/SLHSMS
Last revised 20 Sep 2022
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