Master of Arts (MA) Program
Welcome to the Wichita State University Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders!
Accreditation
The Master of Arts (MA) education program in speech-language pathology (residential)
at Wichita State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation
in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or
301-296-5700.
The Master of Arts (MA) education program in Speech-Language Pathology prepares graduates
for high-demand careers improving the lives of patients with communication and swallowing
disorders. Graduates meet all the requirements for clinical certification by ASHA
and will be eligible for licensure in the State of Kansas, among others. Our students
are engaged in interprofessional learning opportunities with other health disciplines
in the WSU College of Health Professions. The bridge between academics and clinical practice is made through critical thinking
seminars and experiences.
Students actively participate in clinical practicum while serving clients of all ages at the WSU Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic before completing at least two off-campus practicum experiences in medical and educational settings. Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, and the surrounding metropolitan area offers a full range of externship opportunities at major hospitals, clinics, and schools to ensure that students can apply their learning in multiple professional settings. Students are also able to request placements across the United States.
The program requires a minimum of 57 credit hours which includes continuous enrollment in clinical practicum. To successfully complete the program, students must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Complete a mentored research project during their second year
- Achieve passings scores on summative assessments taken during the program
- Have sufficient clinical clock hours to satisfy American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- Demonstrate competence in clinical knowledge and skills
Program FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Program Entry Point | Fall |
| Program Length | 5-6 semesters |
| Study Plan Options | Full-time |
| Application Deadlines | February 1 |
| Class Size | 30 |
| Application Ratio | 4.6:1 |
| Minimum GPA to apply | 3.00 GPA in last 60 credit hours |
| GPA range of accepted students in last application cycle | 3.20-4.00 in last 60 credit hours (Average 3.85 GPA) |
| Examinations required to apply | GRE scores are not required for the application. Non-native English speakers must document written and spoken English proficiency. |
| Degrees required | Bachelor's degree in any field + program prerequisites |
| Professional certifications and licenses needed to practice | Varies by state (learn more about the profession) |
| Student Outcome Data | Program completion, Praxis exam, and employment rates |
Campus Visit/Information Session
Please click on the link below to schedule an individual campus visit or sign up for a scheduled group information session.
Can’t make it to campus? Check out this clinic video tour of our MA-SLP Program:
Prerequisite Coursework
All students seeking admittance to the MA program are required to have completed the following foundational coursework, or its equivalent, prior to starting the graduate program. Applications to the MA program may be submitted after one semester of prerequisite coursework is completed. Taking prerequisite coursework at WSU does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Interested students who are not currently admitted to WSU should contact the Office of Admissions. Course descriptions are available in the WSU Undergraduate Catalog under College of Health Professions, then Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Fall Semester (12 hours)
CSD 251 Auditory Development and Disorders (3)
CSD 301 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3)
CSD 504 Aural Rehabilitation (3)
CSD 512 Communication in Special Populations: Children (3)
Spring Semester (12 hours)
CSD 304 Early Language Development (3)
CSD 306 Applied Phonetics (3)
CSD 506 Acoustic and Perceptual Phonetics (3)
HS 585 Clinical Neuroscience (3)
Fall or Spring Semester (2 hours)
CSD 425 Introduction to Clinical Processes (2)
Recommended course
Research Methods (independent research projects do not fulfill this requirement)
Foundational courses required for ASHA certification
Biological Sciences (content cannot be related to CSD)
Physical Sciences (i.e., physics or chemistry; content cannot be related to CSD)
Statistics (content cannot be research methods)
Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, public health, or anthropology)