Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences

Office: Timonium Campus, Room 40H
Telephone: 410‑617‑7650
Website: www.loyola.edu/speech

Chair: Janet Preis, Associate Professor

Graduate Program Director: Donna Pitts
SLP Division Director, The Loyola Clinical Centers: Andrea Atticks
Externship Director: Danielle Matrangola

Professors: Lena Caesar (emerita); Marie Kerins (emerita); Libby Kumin (emerita); Lisa Schoenbrodt
Associate Professors: Sally Gallena (emerita); Donna Pitts; Janet Preis; Kathleen Siren
Assistant Professors: Sara Collins; Tepanta Fossett; Brianne Higgins Roos
Clinical Faculty: Theresa Alexander; Andrea Atticks; Alicia Barger; Meghan Carlson; Jordan Differding; Kathleen Holden; Jill Keller; Elizabeth Knotts; Alexis Nikitopoulos; Thomas Thompson; Kathleen Ward

Mission Statement

The graduate program in the department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences provides an ASHA-accredited path of study within the Jesuit tradition defined by challenging coursework and faculty mentors who assist students in acquiring the tools necessary to be discerning and knowledgeable speech-language pathologists who will lead and serve in a diverse and changing world. Through academic coursework, mentorship by dedicated faculty members, and clinical experiences across a variety of settings, students will master the professional skills they need to become effective and compassionate advocates for persons with communication disorders.

Learning Outcomes

The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences offers a master's program which prepares students to become professional speech-language pathologists and to serve and lead in a diverse and changing world. Learning outcomes of the program are as follows:

Master Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrate knowledge and skills for entry-level clinical work documented across coursework and clinical practicum experience in student's Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) form.
Demonstrate collaborative client care through participation in interprofessional education and practice.

Think Critically

Communicate effectively in spoken and written language demonstrated in clinical report writing, oral presentations, and academic papers.
Think critically demonstrated through diagnostic problem solving, problem-based learning, and clinical decision making supported by sound evidence.

Manifest Leadership and Social Responsibility in the Workplace and Community

Demonstrate knowledge of the Professional Code of Ethics through problem-based learning in coursework.
Identify areas of advocacy that will promote the profession, improve client care, or further the evidence-base of the profession.

Admission Criteria

Loyola University participates in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Central Application Service, known as CSDCAS. Students applying to the master's program must have an undergraduate degree or have prerequisite coursework in speech-language pathology (or communication sciences and disorders). Prospective students whose undergraduate major or degree is in a field other than speech-language pathology are required to have completed the prerequisite courses shown below.

Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Voice
Articulation and Phonology
Clinical Audiology
Hearing Science
Phonetics
Professional and Technical Writing in Speech-Language Pathology (recommended)
Speech and Language Development
Speech and Voice Science
Survey of Communication Disorders (recommended)

In addition to the prerequisite courses listed above, students must also have:

25 observation hours documented and signed by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist

There are a limited number of enrollments in the master's program, and admission is selective. The Graduate Admission Committee seeks students of high quality from accredited institutions of higher learning who ranked in the upper half of their classes as undergraduates and maintained a high cumulative average. A minimum of a B (3.00) cumulative average is recommended. Confidential recommendations are also reviewed. The Graduate Admission Committee only reviews applications that are completed and submitted to CSDCAS by the application deadline. Detailed admission information (information session dates, application procedures, required documents, deadlines, etc.) can be found on the department website.

Admittance to the master's program in speech-language pathology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student accepted into the program will be required to obtain, pay for, and pass a criminal background check. These background checks are routinely required by the Loyola Clinical Centers, schools, hospitals, and other agencies that participate in the clinical education of Loyola students. Failure to pass a criminal background check may make a student ineligible to complete requirements and result in revocation of the student's acceptance into the graduate program.

Additionally, once the enrollment deposit is made, students are required to present health documentation to Loyola Student Health and Education Services.

Course Waivers

Some course requirements (typically 6 credits or up to 2 courses) may be waived by the graduate program director based upon prior completion of coursework in the same content area. Students must submit materials for review (e.g., syllabus, course description, final products) prior to the first class meeting of the course being considered for waiver. The graduate program director's written approval will be sent to the Records Office.

Technical Standards

The graduate program in speech-language pathology requires enrolled students to possess certain skills and abilities, prior to and continuing throughout the master's program, to successfully complete both the academic and clinical components of the curriculum. Technical Standards are posted on the department's website.

Academic Standards

The department follows the University-wide academic standards found in the section on Academic Standards and Dismissal under Academic Regulations and Policies .

Grades, Probation, and Dismissal

Consistent with University policy, graduate students in speech-language pathology must maintain a B (3.000) average. Students who fall below this level of achievement will be placed on academic probation for one semester. Failure to raise the cumulative to 3.000 in the following semester will result in dismissal from the program. Regardless, students who receive one grade of C+ (2.330) or lower will be placed on academic probation.

Students may also be placed on academic probation due to withdrawal from clinical courses or less than satisfactory performance in clinical courses as evaluated using the KASA grading scale. The accumulation of two grades of C+ (2.330) or lower or the receipt of one F (0.000) during the program will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissal may also result from excessive withdrawals, academic dishonesty, or other unethical or unprofessional conduct reflecting upon a student's ability to enter into the professional field of speech-language pathology. If a student is dismissed from the program and has been performing at a satisfactory level in the clinical practicum, the student may count all clinical hours earned during the semester up to the point of dismissal. If the student has been performing at an unsatisfactory level in the clinical practicum, the student will not be allowed to count any clinical hours earned during the semester of dismissal.

Students are not permitted to be on academic probation for more than one semester across their master's degree program. All students placed on probation are required to meet with the graduate program director and members of the Professional Assessment Review Committee. At that time, an individual remediation plan will be developed to help the student progress academically and/or clinically. Remediation plans may include additional assignments/assessments requiring the student to demonstrate competency in areas of need. In addition to academic performance, students must maintain professional standards of behavior as outlined in the essential functions document, the University's policy on academic integrity, and ASHA's Code of Ethics. Any student thought to be at risk academically or behaviorally may be brought before the committee.

Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence

A student experiencing medical or personal problems may request a withdrawal or leave of absence from academic and clinical courses no later than the date reflected in the University's academic calendar. All withdrawals and leaves of absence must be approved by the graduate program director and/or department chair. The University-wide withdrawal policy can be found under Academic Regulations and Policies. The record of any student who has received two or more grades of W will be reviewed prior to the student's continuance in the program.

If a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from clinical practicum courses and has been performing at a satisfactory level, the student may count all clinical hours earned during the semester up to the point of withdrawal. If the student has been performing at an unsatisfactory level, the student will not be allowed to count any clinical hours earned during the semester.

Students are allowed only one leave of absence during the course of their graduate program. If a student wants an additional leave of absence, that student must go through an appeals committee. Any curricular changes that occur while a student is on leave may require additional coursework and possible extension of program completion.

Assistantships

A limited number of departmental assistantships are available. For more information, visit the department's website.

Programs

Master

Speech-Language Pathology, MS

Courses

Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology