COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Speech, Language and Hearing Science.

About the Program

The MA program in Speech, Language and Hearing Science (MA-SLH) is committed to the education of high-quality clinical professionals who work creatively with the broadest possible range of populations, settings and speech-language-swallowing disorders. The program provides students with a rich variety of supervised clinical experiences at its own Temple University Speech-Language-Hearing Center (TUSLHC) on Main campus and at more than 80 field affiliate settings throughout the Delaware Valley. In addition, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders maintains strong connections with faculty members and practitioners at Temple University Health System and other departments in the College of Public Health. Graduates of the program have consistently gone on to significant careers throughout the United States and abroad. Opportunities exist for pursuing research interests under faculty guidance through independent study courses or the writing of a master's thesis.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 2 years (six terms, including required enrollment in two summer sessions) with a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders; 3 years (eight or nine terms, including required enrollment in two or three summer sessions) without a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: Students complete the degree program through full-time enrollment.

Interdisciplinary Study: The faculty itself is interdisciplinary with representation from Audiology, Cognitive and Neuropsychology, Linguistics, Speech Motor Control and Speech-Language Pathology. A proseminar presentation series includes speakers from within and outside the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Temple University.

Affiliation(s): The program has research collaborations with the following:

  • Åbo Akademi University (Finland)
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Boston University
  • British Columbia Early Hearing Program
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • The College of New Jersey
  • Ewha Womans University (South Korea)
  • Gallaudet University
  • International Christian University (Japan)
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Kansas Language Assessment Program
  • Marquette University
  • Maternity Care Coalition
  • Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute
  • Newcastle University (United Kingdom)
  • Northeastern University
  • Northwestern University
  • Portland State University
  • Purdue University
  • Rutgers University - Camden
  • Syracuse University
  • Temple University Hospital
  • University of Barcelona
  • University of California - Irvine
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Oregon
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • The University of Sydney (Australia)
  • University of Tartu (Estonia)
  • University of Wisconsin – Madison
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Washington University in St. Louis

The tri-state area around Philadelphia offers a culturally diverse setting with urban, suburban and even rural areas, affording a variety of opportunities for students to engage in clinical practica in over 80 affiliated clinical sites that include schools, preschools, acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private practice and early intervention agencies.

Ranking: In 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report, Temple University's Speech, Language and Hearing Science program ranks 25 out of 261 ASHA-certified programs.

Accreditation: The MA in Speech, Language and Hearing Science program at Temple University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Areas of Specialization: Students completing the master's program are generalists with expertise in a wide variety of disorders and population types. Courses and supervised diagnostic and therapeutic experiences involve both children and adults, and encompass a range of disorders, including dysfluency, dysphagia, hearing disorders, language disorders, motor speech disorders, phonological disorders and voice disorders. Faculty conduct supervised research in such areas as language disorders in monolingual and bilingual children, motor speech disorders, adult aphasia and dementia, voice disorders, communication in aging individuals, and hearing.

Job Prospects: Graduates are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, private practices and universities.

Licensure/Certification: The Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) validates and provides assurance to consumers and clients, other healthcare professionals, employers, state licensure boards and third-party payers that they can be confident certificate holders, through participation in continuous professional development activities, are keeping up with rapid changes in the profession's scopes of practice. To complete the process for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, graduates must pass the national Praxis® examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) and must complete a Clinical Fellow experience after graduation.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for the Instructional I Certificate through the Pennsylvania Department of Education upon successful completion of the Praxis® examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) and the Praxis® Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) examination. Additional state-mandated requirements may apply for graduates employed in the public schools in states other than Pennsylvania. Each state has its own licensing procedures in addition to those of the CCC-SLP. For more information, visit https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students must have departmental permission to enroll in graduate courses. No more than 6 credits of Temple University graduate coursework with an earned grade of "B" or higher taken as a non-matriculated student may be counted toward the degree. In order to enroll in courses as a non-matriculated student, individuals must supply the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders with an official transcript from their undergraduate institution and syllabi from the courses that satisfy the prerequisite requirements for the graduate-level courses the student is requesting to take. A grade of "B-" or better must have been attained in the prerequisite classes, and an overall undergraduate GPA greater than 3.0 must have been earned. If these requirements are met, non-matriculated students, with the department's permission, are permitted to take up to three of the following four courses:

CSCD 5521Foundations in Child Language Disorders (Fall)3
CSCD 5522Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders (Fall)3
CSCD 5525Foundations and Management in Fluency (Summer)3
CSCD 8726Management of Child Language Disorders (Spring)3

For more information, contact Lauren Burrows (lauren.burrows@temple.edu).

Financing Opportunities: For information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 15

All applicants to the MA program in Speech, Language and Hearing Science must apply via the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) by January 15. The system can be accessed at https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Recommendations should be obtained from college instructors, clinical supervisors, or others who can speak to the applicant's academic or clinical abilities and personal integrity. Two of the recommendations must be academic in nature.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Prerequisite courses taken as an undergraduate or prior to matriculation to the MA-SLH program require a grade of "C" or higher (not "C-"). Students need to retake prerequisite courses if completed more than 10 years prior to matriculation. Any prerequisite courses not completed prior to matriculation must be completed at Temple University with an earned grade of "B-" or higher. Prerequisites to graduate study may also be taken during the first year of graduate study, with an earned grade of "B-" or higher, if not completed previously. These include the following subject areas:

  • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
  • Audiology
  • Aural Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Methods (i.e., Diagnostics and Treatment in Speech-Language Pathology)
  • Hearing Science
  • Human Neuroscience
  • Phonetics
  • Psycholinguistics (or Introduction to Linguistics or Introduction to Syntax)
  • Speech and Language Development
  • Speech Science

​The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires coursework in the following content areas: behavioral and social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences (i.e., physics or chemistry), and statistics. ASHA-required content area courses taken as an undergraduate or prior to matriculation to the MA-SLH program require a grade of "C" or higher (not "C-"). Any ASHA-required content area coursework not completed prior to matriculation requires an earned grade of "B-" or higher. All prerequisite coursework is subject to review upon matriculation to the MA-SLH program.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University.

Statement of Goals: One writing sample is required. It should address your goals and the prompts outlined on the CSDCAS application.

Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

  • TOEFL iBT: 79
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5
  • PTE Academic: 53
  • Duolingo: 110

Laptop: All incoming students in the College of Public Health are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.

Transfer Credit: On the recommendation of the student's advisor, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders may accept transfer of graduate credits from an accredited institution. Grades must be "B" or better. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Clearances: The Speech, Language and Hearing Science MA program requires students to complete clinical/field education experiences at facilities both on and off Temple University’s campuses. These placements require medical clearances, criminal background checks, Act 33/34 clearances (for working with children and vulnerable populations), and often a drug screen and CPR certification. The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the student from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 54-59, including 39 credits of academic coursework and 15-20 credits of clinical coursework

Required Courses:

Core Courses
CSCD 5521Foundations in Child Language Disorders3
CSCD 5522Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders3
CSCD 5524Foundations and Management of Motor Speech Disorders3
CSCD 5525Foundations and Management in Fluency3
CSCD 5527Foundations and Rehabilitation of Language and Cognitive Disorders in Aphasia3
CSCD 5528Voice Disorders: Theory and Analysis3
CSCD 5531Applications in Audiology1
CSCD 5546Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Research Methods in Communication Sciences)3
CSCD 8722Foundations and Management in Dysphagia3
CSCD 8726Management of Child Language Disorders3
CSCD 8727Written Language Development and Disorders2
CSCD 8729Neurocognitive Language Disorders3
CSCD 8824Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations2
CSCD 8830Seminar In CSD1
HRPR 5001Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 10
Elective 23
Clinical Practicum 315-20
Basic Practicum in Audiology
Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes
Basic Practicum in Therapy Processes
Advanced Practicum in Voice
Advanced Practicum in Fluency
Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Child
Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric
Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
Advanced Practicum in Aphasia
Total Credit Hours54-59
1

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.

2

Students who elect to complete a thesis should select CSCD 9996 Thesis Seminar as their elective.

3

Students enroll in 18 to 20 credits of supervised clinical practicum in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders to achieve the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) in accordance with the standards of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Up to 3 credits may be waived if students have achieved the full range of required competencies and experiences.

Proposed Plan of Study Outlined by Year and Term

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CSCD 5521 Foundations in Child Language Disorders 3
CSCD 5522 Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders 3
CSCD 5527 Foundations and Rehabilitation of Language and Cognitive Disorders in Aphasia 3
CSCD 5531 Applications in Audiology 1
CSCD 8187 Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes 1 1
CSCD 8287 Basic Practicum in Therapy Processes 1 1
HRPR 5001 Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 2 0
 Credit Hours12
Spring
CSCD 5528 Voice Disorders: Theory and Analysis 3
CSCD 5546 Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Research Methods in Communication Sciences) 3
CSCD 8187 Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes 1 1
CSCD 8287 Basic Practicum in Therapy Processes 1 2
CSCD 8726 Management of Child Language Disorders 3
 Credit Hours12
Summer
CSCD 5525 Foundations and Management in Fluency 3
CSCD 8187 Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes 1 1
CSCD 8722 Foundations and Management in Dysphagia 3
CSCD 9587 Advanced Practicum in Aphasia 2
 Credit Hours9
Year 2
Fall
CSCD 5524 Foundations and Management of Motor Speech Disorders 3
CSCD 8727 Written Language Development and Disorders 2
CSCD 8830 Seminar In CSD 1
CSCD 9287 Advanced Practicum in Fluency 1
CSCD 9387 Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Child 3
 Credit Hours10
Spring
CSCD 8729 Neurocognitive Language Disorders 3
CSCD 8824 Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations 2
CSCD 9187 Advanced Practicum in Voice 1
CSCD 9387 Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Child 3
Elective 3 3
 Credit Hours12
Summer
CSCD 8147 Basic Practicum in Audiology 1
Select one Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology (Pediatric or Adult) course from the following: 3
Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric
Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
 Credit Hours4
 Total Credit Hours59
1

Students typically enroll in CSCD 8187 and CSCD 8287 over multiple academic terms in Year 1.

2

This common College Core course is required of all incoming graduate students in the College of Public Health. It is available completely online and designed such that students can complete the modules at their own pace over the course of their degree program.

3

Students who elect to complete a thesis should select CSCD 9996 Thesis Seminar as their elective.

Minimum Grade to be Earned for All Required Courses: B-

Standards of Scholarship: A graduate student in the MA program is expected to perform in accordance with the standards of scholarship of the Temple University Graduate School and of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, including the following:

  1. At the time of graduation, the student must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (equivalent at Temple to the grade of "B").
  2. The student's grades will be averaged after the student has completed 15 graduate credits. Unless their average is "B" or better, the student will have one additional term to achieve a total grade average of "B" or better. Any time from the end of that term forward that their total grade average falls below a "B," they will be dropped from the program.
  3. A student who earns more than two grades below "B-" or more than one grade of "F" is dismissed for failure to maintain satisfactory grades. Although grades of "C+," "C," and "C-" carry academic credit, receipt of such grades indicates that the student is performing at a substandard level. Additionally, ASHA hours are not accumulated in Clinical Courses (Practicum) with earned grades below a "B-."
  4. A student may not graduate without completing all coursework and thus removing any outstanding grades of "I" (Incomplete).
  5. An MA student in the program may apply no more than 6 graduate credits earned at another institution toward the degree.
  6. Grades in prerequisite courses taken at Temple or elsewhere, while matriculated in the graduate program, will be counted in determining whether a student has satisfied standards of scholarship described in 1-4 above, but prerequisite credits will not count toward the number of credits required for the master’s degree.

Culminating Event: Students choose between two options: completion of the comprehensive examination or preparation and defense of a master’s thesis.

Comprehensive Examination:
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to demonstrate the application of accumulated knowledge to the basic science and clinical domains. It is typically taken in the final term of study.

Master’s Thesis:
The thesis option is intended to provide an opportunity for students interested in research to conduct a study of greater scope and rigor than is generally possible in the context of a one-term seminar or independent study. Students electing the thesis option enroll for up to 3 credits of CSCD 9996 Thesis Seminar, typically in the Spring of Year 2.

The thesis involves descriptive and/or experimental research and is supervised by a faculty member selected by the student. Students develop a prospectus (i.e., proposal of research to be conducted) in conjunction with their MA committee, which consists of the thesis advisor and two other faculty members. A final presentation is given orally to a symposium of faculty and students. The thesis document is submitted to the Graduate School in accordance with its guidelines.

Contacts

Program Web Address:

https://www.temple.edu/academics/degree-programs/speech-language-and-hearing-science-ma-hp-splh-ma

Department Information:

Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders

110 Weiss Hall (265-62)

1701 N. 13th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085

cph@temple.edu

215-204-7543

Submission Address for Application Materials:

https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

CPH Office of Admissions

cph@temple.edu

215-204-5200

Chairperson:

Lisa Bedore, PhD

lisa.bedore@temple.edu

215-204-7543