2024-2025 Graduate Academic Catalogue
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
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Office: Loyola Clinical Center-Belvedere
Telephone: 410‑617‑7650
Website: www.loyola.edu/speech
Chair: Janet Preis, Associate Professor
Graduate Program Director: Colleen McElroy
SLP Division Director, The Loyola Clinical Centers: Andrea Atticks
Externship Coordinator: Colleen McElroy
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 Professors: Andrea Atticks; Kathleen Ward
Teaching/Clinical Faculty: Theresa Alexander; Alicia Barger; Meghan Carlson; Jordan Differding; Kathleen Holden; Jill Keller; Elizabeth Knotts; Alexis Nikitopoulos; Thomas Thompson
Vision Statement
The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences is a national leader in exceptional teaching and clinical training dedicated to active community partnerships, quality research, and inclusive practices, all guided by Jesuit Core Values.
Mission Statement
The Department of SLHS provides undergraduate and graduate paths of study based in Jesuit Core Values that empower students to become knowledgeable, compassionate advocates in collaboration with the communities they serve through:
- Innovative academic and clinical learning experiences
- Dedication to person-centered care
- Mentorship from caring, experienced faculty
- Equity-driven research and teaching
- Collaboration with local communities
- Partnership with world-renowned clinical facilities
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
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 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
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech and Voice Science
- Survey of Communication Disorders (recommended)
- Professional and Technical Writing in Speech-Language Pathology (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 in Communication Science Disorders classes and a minimum of a B (3.00) cumulative undergraduate GPA are required for admission into the program. 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 by the stated deadline prior to matriculation. 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 department notifies the student and the Office of the Registrar of any approved waivers.
Core Functions
The graduate program in speech-language pathology follows the ASHA guide on core functions (Core-Functions-for-AUD-and-SLP-Approved-4-3-23-rev-4-25-23.pdf (www.azureedge.net) for educational programs in speech-language pathology. Students typically are expected to employ these core functions in didactic and clinical experiences to acquire the knowledge and demonstrate the competencies that will lead to graduation and successful entry into professional practice.
Academic Standards
The department follows the University-wide academic standards found in the section on Academic Standards and Dismissal under Academic Regulations and Policies . Additional standards may be found in the department's Graduate Student Handbook.
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. 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. Students may be placed on academic probation for other reasons as noted in the Graduate Student Handbook, including professional behavior, academic integrity, and ethical conduct. 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 as measured by the KASA grading scale 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 (PAR) 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, 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 PAR committee. Additional information about the PAR process and possible outcomes are included in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence
A student experiencing medical or personal challenges may request a withdrawal from academic and clinical courses or leave of absence from the University no later than the semester dates reflected in the University's academic calendar. All withdrawals and leaves of absence must be approved by the department. The University-wide withdrawal policy can be found under Academic Regulations and Policies. The record of any student who has received one 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 as measured by the KASA grading scale, 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 as measured by the KASA grading scale, 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. 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.
ProgramsMasterCoursesSpeech-Language Pathology/Audiology
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