Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Mission

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Saint Xavier University prepares students to be ethical, compassionate, and adaptable professionals with a growth mindset. Rooted in the Mercy tradition and the liberal arts, the program cultivates critical, cultural, and ethical thinking to support holistic and responsible care.

Through a forward-looking, person-centered curriculum, students engage in academic, clinical, and research opportunities that reflect the full scope of speech-language pathology across the lifespan. Students are equipped with knowledge, technical expertise, and professional confidence to succeed in diverse practice settings. Graduates are empowered to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the profession through lifelong learning, service, and leadership.

The program is designed to:

• Build a comprehensive theoretical foundation that is culturally responsive and ethically grounded, preparing students to address the full scope of practice in speech-language pathology.
• Provide diverse, supervised clinical practicums with individuals across the lifespan presenting a wide range of experiences within the speech-language pathology scope of practice.
• Develop students' ability to make informed, evidence-based patient-centered clinical decisions and to collaborate effectively within interprofessional teams.
• Foster an enduring commitment to research, scholarship, and lifelong learning that promotes positive impact at local, national, and global levels.

These program goals reflect those of the University. The master of science degree program in Speech-Language Pathology responds to the call for high quality graduate academic programs firmly rooted within the traditions of American higher education and academic freedom, and strongly based upon the heritage of the liberal arts, the Catholic faith and the Sisters of Mercy.

The academic curriculum provides a rigorous educational challenge. It provides experiences across the broad spectrum reflected in the varied workplaces and activities of contemporary speech-language pathologists. These experiences have been developed to foster the knowledge and skill outcomes expected of programs accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The curricular offerings are continuously evaluated for their content and timeliness.

Clinical education is a major component of the graduate experience. This education occurs on campus and in over 250 schools, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities with whom the program has active affiliation. All clinical practica are provided under the supervision of faculty and external clinical educators who hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a professional license to practice speech-language pathology from the State of Illinois.

The campus-based Ludden Speech and Language Clinic is an integral component of the program. It provides opportunities for beginning clinical education and clinical services to persons of all ages who have disorders of speech and/or language.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study at Saint Xavier University, applicants to the master's degree program in Speech-Language Pathology must meet the following specific requirements:

• Completion of an undergraduate major, or equivalent undergraduate course sequence in speech-language pathology. Applicants with deficiencies in undergraduate courses are required to complete pre-professional coursework.
• A grade-point average of 3.0 during undergraduate study.
• A personal statement regarding interest in the field.
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic and clinical achievements and potential for successful graduate study.

Please also see the Admission Prerequisites.

Course Requirements

A total of 51 credit hours is required for completion of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Credits are obtained in three interdependent categories: speech-language pathology content, clinical education and research. Students successfully completing the graduate degree are eligible for clinical certification in speech-language pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as a function of meeting extensive knowledge and skill expectations associated with curricular offerings. Detailed formative activities regarding specific curricular requirements occur following acceptance into the graduate program.

Core Courses (51 credit hours)

• CSDIG 415: Introduction to Practicum (1)
• CSDIG 500: Clinical Problem Solving: Assessment (4)
• CSDIG 502: Developmental Disorders of Speech (3)
• CSDIG 403: Developmental Disorders of Language -- Birth to Five (2)
• CSDIG 503: Developmental Disorders of Language -- School Age (2)
• CSDIG 505: Aural Rehabilitation (3)
• CSDIG 507: Advanced Practicum in SLP -- Campus (1)
• CSDIG 530: Seminar: Fluency Disorders (2)
• CSDIG 540: Seminar: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (2)
• CSDIG 531: Seminar: Voice Disorders (2)
• CSDIG 582: Seminar: Counseling (1)
• CSDIG 512: Advanced Practicum: School (2)
• CSDIG 513: Advanced Practicum: Clinic (2)
• CSDIG 514: Practicum in Prevention (1)
• CSDIG 515: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology I (3)
• CSDIG 516: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology II (3)
• CSDIG 517: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology III (3)
• CSDIG 521: Acquired Disorders of Speech (2)
• CSDIG 522: Acquired Disorders of Language (3)
• CSDIG 525: Acquired Cognitive Communication Disorders (3)
• CSDIG 551: Assessment and Management of Dysphagia (3)
• CSDIG 594: Foundations of Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)

Elective Courses

• CSDIG 501: Clinical Problem Solving: Management (2)
• CSDIG 554: Seminar: Dysphagia II (1)
• CSDIG 581: Seminar: Multicultural Issues (1)
• CSDIG 578: Research Requirement I (1)
• CSDIG 579: Research Requirement II (2)
• CSDIG 595: Special Topics (1)
• CSDIG 596: Independent Study (1)
• CSDIG 599: Research Requirement (3)
• EDGTE-484: Assessment of Bilingual Students (3)

Typical Course Sequence (51 credit hours)

• Summer I (1 credit hour)
  • CSDIG 415: Introduction to Practicum
• Fall I (12 credit hours)
  • CSDIG 403: Developmental Disorders of Language -- Birth to Five
  • CSDIG 502: Developmental Disorders of Speech
  • CSDIG 522: Acquired Disorders of Language
  • CSDIG 515: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology I
• Spring I (12 credit hours)
  • CSDIG 500: Assessment
  • CSDIG 551: Assessment and Management of Dysphagia
  • CSDIG 503: Developmental Disorders of Language -- School Age
  • CSDIG 521: Acquired Disorders of Speech
  • CSDIG 516 or 517: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology II/III
  • Possibly:
    • CSDIG 514: Practicum in Prevention
    • Electives
• Summer II (6-12 credit hours)
  
  • CSDIG 530: Seminar in Fluency Disorders
  • CSDIG 540: Seminar in Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  • CSDIG 507: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Campus
  • Possibly:
    
    • Electives
• Fall II (6-12 credit hours)
  • CSDIG 525: Acquired Cognitive-Communication Disorders
  • CSDIG 531: Seminar in Voice Disorders
  • CSDIG 582: Seminar in Counseling
  • CSDIG 594: Foundations in Research
  • CSDIG 516 or 517: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology II/III
  • Possibly:
    • CSDIG 505: Aural Rehabilitation
    • CSDIG 514: Practicum in Prevention
    • Electives
• Spring II (6-9 credit hours)
  • CSDIG 512: Advanced Practicum: Schools
  • CSDIG 513: Advanced Practicum: Clinical
  • Possibly:
    • Electives

Clinical Education
Students must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum.

Knowledge and Skills
Students must successfully meet the knowledge and skill requirements (KASA) for clinical certification in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Thesis/Comprehensive Examinations
Satisfactory completion of either a research project, which is detailed in the Graduate Student Handbook, or successful completion of comprehensive examinations.

Essential Functions
Essential functions include the knowledge and skills required to function in the many and varied clinical situations and with the diversity of clients served in the practice of Speech-Language Pathology. These functions include five areas: sensory-observational, communication, motor, intellectual-cognitive and behavioral-social. These areas are detailed in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Transfer Policy
Students must petition the graduate program director prior to enrollment in graduate credits at another regionally accredited institution. Only graduate courses not offered at SXU will be considered. Students are allowed a maximum of 6 pre-approved transfer credits. Only courses with B or better grades earned at another university are transferable. Transferred credits are not considered in the computation of the cumulative grade point average. Courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Program Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at Saint Xavier 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. Students who complete the program and meet certification standards are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from ASHA.

State of Illinois Educator Licensure

Students who wish to satisfy Illinois State Board of Education requirements for a Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in Speech-Language Pathology: Non-Teaching must complete the approved program of general and professional education requirements and pass the appropriate test of content knowledge.

State of Illinois Licensure

Students must show evidence of successful completion of the program requirements and a passing score on the Praxis Exam (National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) in order to apply for a license to practice speech-language pathology in the State of Illinois. Applications must be made to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Detailed information concerning ASHA membership, certification requirements, accreditation status, state of Illinois licensure and/or school certification is available in the office of the program director.

Course Availability

Required courses are offered on a regular basis. Elective offerings are provided on a periodic basis. Clinical practicum is available every semester. Credit hour values are noted parenthetically.