MAEd in Reading/Literacy
Maryville University, located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, offers a Master of Arts in E...
M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology
St. Louis, Missouri
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
Maryville University, located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, offers a Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) through its Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker College of Health Professions. This comprehensive program is designed to prepare knowledgeable, proficient, culturally competent, and reflective Speech-Language Pathologists. Graduates are equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly. The program emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical practice, ensuring graduates are prepared for diverse professional settings.
CAA Accredited: Yes, Maryville University's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This accreditation is paramount as it signifies that the program meets the highest national standards for graduate education in SLP. CAA accreditation is a vital prerequisite for graduates seeking ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and state licensure in Missouri and most other U.S. states. The program offers both residential (on-campus) and distance education (online) modalities, both of which are accredited.
Curriculum: The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology is typically a 57-credit-hour program, structured to be completed over approximately five semesters (around 2 years). The curriculum is robust, covering essential knowledge in speech, language, hearing, and swallowing across the lifespan, and distinguishing disorders from cultural differences. Key courses include Speech Sound Disorders, Assessment and Differential Diagnosis, Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition, Language Disorders in Children, Dysphagia (swallowing disorders), Motor Speech Disorders, Voice & Fluency Disorders, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). A strong emphasis is placed on clinical application, with required practicum experiences that involve supervised assessment and intervention services in various settings. The program also prepares students for the comprehensive assessment and the national PRAXIS examination, both necessary for certification.
Research Focus: Maryville University's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program incorporates a strong research focus, preparing students to be critical consumers and practitioners of evidence-based practice (EBP). The curriculum includes dedicated coursework, such as "Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice," which teaches students how to appraise research studies and apply concepts to clinical settings. This ensures graduates can make informed decisions based on the latest scientific evidence. Faculty members in the program are engaged in various areas of specialization and contribute to the field, guiding students in understanding the research behind assessment and intervention techniques.
Industry Engagement: Maryville University's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program demonstrates significant industry engagement through its extensive clinical partnerships and hands-on learning opportunities. Students gain invaluable real-world experience through supervised clinical experiences in Maryville's own Speech and Language Clinic, as well as off-campus practicum placements at numerous sites. These sites include major hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, public and private schools, and early childhood settings within the St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond. The program fosters inter-professional education, allowing students to collaborate with those in occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, nursing, and rehabilitation counseling, preparing them for real-world collaboration in healthcare teams. This strong engagement contributes to a high career outcome rate for graduates, often reported at 98-100%.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program at Maryville University inherently fosters a global perspective by emphasizing cultural competence and humility in serving diverse client populations. The curriculum explicitly addresses how communication disorders are distinct from cultural differences, preparing graduates to work effectively with individuals from various linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. While specific international study opportunities are not prominently highlighted, the program's focus on serving a wide variety of clients with different disabilities, including those from diverse cultural contexts, prepares SLPs for a practice that is relevant and sensitive to global human communication needs. The ethical conduct and professional standards taught are universally applicable in the field of speech-language pathology worldwide.
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16294
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 92 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 62 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 115.
Maryville University in the United States offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed for international students to help make higher education more affordable and accessible. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and talents of its global student community, Maryville provides merit-based and need-based scholarships that reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students applying to Maryville University are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall application strength. These scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are renewable for multiple years provided students maintain satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarships: Maryville offers exclusive scholarships tailored for international students to encourage global diversity and inclusion. These scholarships support students from various countries and academic disciplines, promoting cultural exchange and enriching the university community.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Certain colleges and departments within Maryville University provide scholarships targeted at students enrolled in specific programs such as business, nursing, education, and technology. International students pursuing degrees in these areas can apply for additional funding opportunities aligned with their fields of study.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) from Maryville University is a highly impactful and in-demand degree, preparing graduates to become compassionate and skilled professionals. The program's full accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is crucial, as it is a prerequisite for national certification (CCC-SLP) and state licensure, both essential for professional practice. With a focus on evidence-based practice and extensive clinical experiences across various settings, Maryville graduates are well-prepared for diverse roles.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist: A significant percentage of SLPs work in public and private schools (K-12 and preschool). They assess and treat communication disorders that impact a child's educational performance, including articulation, language, fluency, and voice disorders, and collaborate with teachers and parents.
Medical Speech-Language Pathologist (Hospitals & Rehabilitation Centers): Graduates work in acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and outpatient clinics. They address communication and swallowing disorders resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological diseases, head and neck cancer, and other medical conditions.
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist (Clinics & Early Intervention): Specializing in children, these SLPs work in private clinics, early intervention programs (birth to three), and specialized pediatric hospitals. They focus on developmental speech and language delays, autism spectrum disorder, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and augmentative/alternative communication (AAC).
Speech-Language Pathologist in Long-Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities: With the aging population, there's a growing need for SLPs to work with elderly residents addressing dysphagia (swallowing disorders), cognitive-communication deficits related to dementia, and speech/language difficulties following strokes or other age-related conditions.
Private Practice Speech-Language Pathologist: After gaining experience and licensure, many SLPs establish their own private practices. This offers flexibility and the ability to specialize in specific areas of interest, serving a diverse client base across various ages and disorders.
Home Health Speech-Language Pathologist: These professionals provide therapy services to clients in their homes, offering convenience for patients who may have difficulty traveling to clinics. They work with a wide range of ages and disorders, similar to clinical settings.
University/College Clinic Supervisor: Experienced SLPs with a master's degree can supervise graduate student clinicians in university-based speech and language clinics, guiding their clinical training and fostering the development of future SLPs.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist: These SLPs specialize in helping individuals who cannot rely on verbal speech to communicate. They assess communication needs and implement high-tech and low-tech AAC systems, training clients and their families on their use.
Voice and Swallowing Specialist: Some SLPs develop advanced expertise in voice disorders (e.g., dysphonia, vocal nodules) and complex swallowing disorders (dysphagia), often working in specialized clinics or hospitals alongside otolaryngologists.
Research Speech-Language Pathologist: While often requiring a doctoral degree for lead research roles, an M.S. graduate can work as a research assistant or contribute to clinical research studies in academic or medical settings, helping to advance the scientific understanding and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders.
