Speech-Language Pathology, MS-SLP

Speech-Language Pathology is a health and rehabilitation profession that provides screening, evaluation and treatment services for children and adults who have difficulties with language, articulation, voice and resonance, fluency, cognition, hearing, swallowing, social communication, and communication modalities. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are allied health professionals who work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults in settings including acute care, rehabilitation, home health, private practice, public and private schools, and guidance centers. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at USAHS is to graduate clinicians who can identify and manage a full range of communication conditions across the life span. Through the development of critical thinking, cultural competency, ethical standards, and compassionate patient care principles, the graduates will be poised to promote the quality of life for the clients whom they serve. They will be prepared to guide, lead, and influence their profession.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MS-SLP program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to

• differentiate and diagnose communication disorders utilizing evidenced-based practice;
• outline and implement evidence-based treatment plans appropriate to the disorder and in patient-specific contexts;
• describe and educate/collaborate/counsel with clients and caregivers on prevention, assessment, and intervention across disorders;
• distinguish and demonstrate professional practice competencies including; accountability, integrity, effective communication skills, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, care for individuals served, cultural competence, professional duty, and collaborative practice;
• differentiate and demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence while communicating effectively recognizing the background, needs, values, preferred mode of communication of the client and family;
• demonstrate knowledge of and participate appropriately with other healthcare professionals in interprofessional teams.

Program Prerequisites

See Admissions, Records, and Registration  for prerequisites and application information, including information on required leveling courses. 

Preparatory Admission for the SLP Preparatory Pathway – Available Starting Fall 2025 Term

Preparatory Admission status for the SLP Preparatory Pathway is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than speech-language pathology/communication sciences and disorders. This pathway allows these applicants to complete the required leveling courses at USAHS with a grade of “B” or higher before final admission and matriculation into the MS-SLP program. Eligible students are those who need to complete 4-6 leveling courses. There is no degree awarded with the completion of the leveling courses; the MS-SLP degree is conferred only upon completion of the graduate degree-granting program.

• Time Limit: For students with Preparatory Admission status, the maximum time limit for completing the SLP leveling courses is three consecutive trimesters from the date the student is accepted into the SLP Preparatory Pathway.
• ASHA Basic Prerequisite Requirements: The ASHA basic prerequisites (biology, chemistry/physics, statistics, behavioral or social science) must be completed prior to matriculating into the MS-SLP program. These courses need to be completed through another institution offering the required courses and can be completed while simultaneously enrolled in the SLP Preparatory Pathway. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher in these ASHA basic prerequisites (minimum 3 credits each). These courses include:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry or physics
  • Statistics
  • Behavioral or social science
• Tuition and Financial Aid: Students in the SLP Preparatory Pathway are not eligible for federal financial aid; however, the tuition cost ($561 per course) will be credited toward the student’s MS-SLP program tuition upon successful completion of the leveling courses (with a “B” or higher) and enrollment into the MS-SLP program. This credit is distributed across the five trimesters of the master’s program. Please note that a student may receive only one tuition credit for each individual leveling course. If a student takes a leveling course twice, they will not receive tuition credit for each instance they took the same course.
• Observation Hours: The 25 guided observation hours required for admission to the MS-SLP program are obtained in the Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders leveling course at USAHS. If a student has already completed this course without the observation hours, the hours must be obtained before matriculating into the MS-SLP program. 
• Grade & Progression Requirements: Students admitted in the SLP Preparatory Pathway are required to maintain a grade of “B” or higher in all leveling courses. Failure to meet this academic standard will result in dismissal from this SLP Preparatory Pathway; however, students will remain eligible to apply for the MS-SLP program through the standard admissions process. Additionally, any violation of academic integrity or instances of professional misconduct will result in dismissal from the SLP Preparatory Pathway.  
• Retaking Courses: If a student fails to earn a “B” or higher in a leveling course, they are no longer eligible for Preparatory Admission; however, they may retake the leveling course and apply for the MS-SLP program through the regular admissions process. The tuition credit is applied only when all leveling courses are completed with a grade of “B” or higher. Students may withdraw from a single course one time and no more than two (2) times in total throughout the completion of the required leveling courses to remain eligible for Preparatory Admission status; however, all required leveling courses still must be completed within the original three trimester time frame.
• Advancement to Admission to MS-SLP Program: Students who pass all leveling courses with a grade of “B” or higher, have 3.0 or higher in the ASHA basic courses, and complete all admissions requirements for the MS-SLP program are granted admission to the MS-SLP program on the student’s campus of choice in the next available term, pending space availability. The Admission’s Office automatically updates the student’s admission status after confirmation from the Program Director. 

Delivery of Coursework

The MS-SLP program is 55–58 credits. Credit hour total varies based on the student’s choice of elective credit courses. The MS-SLP program is offered on a full-time basis over five trimesters. Coursework is provided in a blended learning format. This is a combination of an online learning component with classroom instruction. Clinical classes are taught in a hands-on setting, while some portions of the course content are presented through a variety of interactive online activities and augmented by in-class discussions, patient interactions, and simulation. This learning style allows students to have a vast range of learning techniques at their fingertips.

Standard Occupational Classification code for which program is intended to prepare graduates: Speech-Language Pathologist (29-1127); Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1071)

The MS-SLP program undergoes a continuous improvement process and is evaluated frequently for enhancements. 

Washington Students

The MS-SLP program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in Washington state.