The major purpose of the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology 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 integrated academic and clinical training in the assessment and treatment of infants, children, and adults who have communication disorders. The academic program provides the knowledge base for understanding the complex area of human communication systems and disorders. Students who have completed the undergraduate major have begun with coursework in normal communication systems and development. At the graduate level, they advance to course work in communication disorders, and applications of the knowledge base to assessment and intervention. Students have the opportunity to obtain supervised observation and clinical practice experience under the guidance of the clinical faculty. The program guides students through a series of increasingly more advanced clinical experiences to prepare them for the professional world. Students have ample opportunities to obtain supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings including public and private schools; acute and chronic care hospitals; rehabilitation centers; health departments; home health agencies; the Margaret A. McManus Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic; the Columbia Speech and Language Center; and the Loyola Clinical Centers.
Prospective students whose undergraduate major or degree is in a field other than speech-language pathology are required to complete a foundation curriculum. These seven 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 College in Maryland through an advanced-level undergraduate curriculum and may be obtained in one year of full-time enrollment. The following 7 foundation courses, or their equivalents, are required before beginning the master's curriculum: Anatomy and Physiology: Speech and Voice Observation & Methods Speech and Hearing Science Phonetics Speech and Language Development Articulation & Phonology Clinical 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 3.2 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 March 1st. 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. - Maintain a 3.0 grade point average
- Complete a minimum of 12 credits per year and complete master’s degree requirements within 4 years
- Complete at lease 1 term of their clinical practicum experience at The Hilgenberg Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders of the Hearing and Speech Agency of Metropolitan Baltimore.
The award is per course credit hour up to 30 credit hours leading to the master's degree. A bonus is awarded to Fellows who obtain employment in Maryland and complete their CFY within 2 yrs of completing the Master of Science degree program. 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. Marie Kerins. 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 | 
