Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology

Office: Columbia Campus
Telephone: 410‑617‑7650
Website: www.loyola.edu/academic/speechpathology

Chair: Lisa Schoenbrodt, Professor

Graduate Program Director: Janet Preis
SLP/A Division Director, The Loyola Clinical
Centers: Kara Tignor
Externship Director: Danielle Matrangola

Professors: Libby Kumin; Lisa Schoenbrodt
Associate Professors: Lena Caesar; Marie Kerins; Janet Preis; Kathleen Siren
Assistant Professors: Sally Gallena; Donna Pitts
Instructor: Ronald Gallop; Christine Goode; Brianne Higgins Roos
Clinical Faculty: Andrea Atticks; Cheryl Councill; Margaret Fregeau; Mina Goodman; Danielle Matrangola; Erin Stauder; Thomas Thompson; Kara Tignor; Kathleen Ward
Affiliate Faculty: Sun Young Lee; Cynthia D. Nichols; Ashley Rice; Daisy Smiley; Mary Lee Walls

Learning Outcomes

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology 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.

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

Students applying to the master's program must have an undergraduate degree or have the 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. Students can also complete these prerequisites through the department's postbaccalaureate coursework.

(Note: This program is closed to new students.)

Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Voice
Articulation and Phonology
Hearing Science
Clinical Audiology
Phonetics
Speech and Language Development
Speech and Voice Science

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

25 observation hours documented and signed by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist
A course in Professional and Technical Writing in Speech-Language Pathology (other writing courses may be accepted if the writing is commensurate with a professional and technical writing course, please contact the Department to verify)

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 expected. Confidential recommendations are also reviewed. Applicants must submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and scores must be from tests administered within five years of the application deadline. The Graduate Admission Committee only reviews completed applications that are received in the Office of Graduate Admission by the application deadline. Detailed admission information (application procedures, required documents, deadlines, etc.) can be found under Admission .

Admittance to the master's program in speech-language pathology is contingent upon passing a criminal background check. Each student recommended for admission into either 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 documentation indicating immunity of communicable diseases. A tuberculin skin test is also required. Health history and immunization forms will be sent after admission notification.

The admission committee considers most favorably those graduates who maintained at least a B (3.000) average during the final two years of undergraduate coursework. Applicants should note that some postbaccalaureate courses have prerequisites. Students who have these prerequisites from another institution will be required to submit materials for review (e.g., syllabus, course description, final products) prior to enrolling in the foundation coursework. In addition, postbaccalaureate students are only eligible for financial aid for one consecutive 12-month period, if enrolled at least half-time (six credits per semester). Detailed admission information (application procedures, required documents, deadlines, etc.) can be found under Admission .

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology at Loyola University Maryland is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800‑498‑2071 or 301‑296‑5700.

Waivers

Some course requirements 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.

Essential Functions

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology created an inventory of essential skills deemed necessary to function within the clinical profession of speech-language pathology; these are known as the essential functions. This document is used as a tool to help students, professors, and clinical supervisors identify areas of need related to becoming a professional in speech-language pathology. This document will be provided to students for review at the beginning of the first year, and it is posted on the department's website.

Academic Standards

University-wide academic standards can be 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 QPA to 3.000 in the following semester will result in dismissal from the program. Regardless of QPA, students who receive one grade of C+ (2.330) or lower will be placed on academic probation. 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 dishonestly, 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 Academic Standards 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.

Consistent with University and departmental policies, 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 postbaccalaureate coursework. In addition, the student will not be eligible for admission into the master's program in speech-language pathology at Loyola.

Withdrawals

A student experiencing medical or personal problems may request a withdrawal from academic and clinical courses no later than the date reflected in the University's academic calendar. All withdrawals 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 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.

Assistantships

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

Programs

Master

Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Courses

Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology