The graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology provides education and training to enable students to become skilled and caring professionals who will lead and serve in a diverse and changing world. The major purpose of this two-year (five semesters), full-time program is education and development of superior professionals for careers as Speech-Language Pathologists. The master's program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The curriculum challenges pre-professionals academically, clinically, and personally. The program consists of academic coursework integrated with clinical training in the assessment and treatment of infants, children, and adults who have communication disorders. The program provides opportunities for students to acquire and demonstrate knowledge of the nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences, as well as prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders across the life span. The program also allows students to acquire and demonstrate knowledge in standards of ethical conduct, research principles in evidence-based clinical practice, and contemporary professional issues. Students must have completed an undergraduate degree 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 complete a foundation curriculum. More details on the foundation curriculum are listed below. All students are required to successfully complete clinical training, requiring a minimum of 400 practicum clock hours, which includes 25 observation hours received at the undergraduate level. Students are provided with supervised clinical experiences matched to their level of clinical expertise. Student progress is reviewed every semester, and as students progress, they are placed in a variety of settings to provide a carefully controlled progression of difficulty. During the first year of study, students begin their clinical internship within one of the Loyola University Clinical Centers under the supervision of expert faculty and practicing clinicians. The speech and hearing clinics also provide interdisciplinary opportunities with the departments of Pastoral Counseling, Psychology, and Teacher Education. In the second year of study, students engage in an externship experience where they will have ample opportunities to obtain supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings. These include public and private schools; acute and chronic care hospitals; rehabilitation centers; health departments; and home health agencies. After completing the master’s degree, passing the ASHA certification examination, and completing a Clinical Fellowship Year, graduates have fulfilled all requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). For questions about the graduate program, please contact the Director of Program Operations, Ms. Emilie Aguilar (410.617.7650).
Loyola offers a post-baccalaureate program for students seeking entry into the Speech-Language Pathology Program who pursued undergraduate degrees in areas other than communication disorders. These eight pre-requisite classes and 25 observation hours must be completed and documented with transcripts before enrolling in Loyola's graduate-level courses. The pre-requisites, listed below, are available at Loyola University Maryland through an advanced-level undergraduate curriculum and may be obtained in one year of full-time enrollment. The following 8 foundation courses, or their equivalents, are required before beginning the master's curriculum: Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Voice Phonetics Observation Methods in SP/A Professional and Technical Writing in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology Articulation and Phonology Speech and Language Development Speech and Voice Science Fundamentals of Audiology
Individuals interested in completing the full degree program including all, or part, of the foundation curriculum, should apply under the post-baccalaureate graduate admission requirements. The application is found under the Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology in the graduate programs section of Loyola’s website. A complete application including G.R.E.’s and letters of recommendation is expected. Applicant transcripts are evaluated at the time of admission to the graduate program to determine an individual program of study to complete the foundation courses. Supporting documentation including courses taken, course descriptions, and/or course syllabi may be requested to determine pre-requisite courses completed. All foundation courses are taught at Loyola's Timonium Graduate campus only. Most foundation courses meet during early evening and evening hours two times per week. Students who complete the Foundation curriculum and maintain a 3.5 grade point average for all pre-requisite classes are streamlined through the Graduate Admissions process.; another application is not needed but a review of the student’s current progress is completed. Priority consideration will be given to candidates applying by February 15th. Admission is very selective and preference is given to those individuals who need all pre-requisite classes. Admission decisions will be sent to selected candidates on a rolling basis until all available seats in these programs are filled. A waitlist may be maintained, dependent upon the ratio of qualified students to available seats in the program. For more information or to speak with the Foundation Program Director, please call 410-617-2936 or email Donna Pitts @dpitts1@loyola.edu. ----- After successfully completing the pre-requisite coursework with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, post baccalaureate students are assured admittance into Loyola’s graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology. This ensures their opportunity to pursue a career change that will lead them to fulfill the requirements necessary for ASHA certification and Maryland state licensure. Complaint Process All complaints must be signed and submitted in writing to the Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech Language-Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The complaint must clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint and the relationship of the complaint to the accreditation standards, and provide supporting data for the charge. The complainant's burden of proof is a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence. Complaints will not be accepted by email or facsimile. Specific procedures and a timeline can be found at http://www.asha.org/about/credentialing/accreditation/accredmanual/section8.html Complaints about accreditation standards as outlined by ASHA should be addressed with the Program Director, Dr. Janet Preis. If complaints can not be taken care of internally the complainant should send their grievance to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. All complaints must be signed and submitted in writing to the Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech Language-Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The complaint must clearly describe the specific nature of the complaint and the relationship of the complaint to the accreditation standards, and provide supporting data for the charge. The complainant's burden of proof is a preponderance or greater weight of the evidence. Complaints will not be accepted by email or facsimile. Specific procedures and a timeline can be found at http://www.asha.org/about/credentialing/accreditation/accredmanual/section8.html | 
