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 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 terms, including required enrollment in two 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 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
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital
• The College of New Jersey
• Columbia University (Teachers College)
• 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
• Tel Aviv University
• Temple University Hospital
• University of Barcelona
• University of California - Irvine
• University of Connecticut
• University of North Carolina
• University of Michigan
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Rochester
• 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 at 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 ASHACAA-certified accredited 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 stuttering, dysphagia, hearing disorders, language disorders, motor speech disorders, phonological disorders and voice disorders. Faculty conduct supervised research in 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, early intervention, 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 that 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 Fellowship 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 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 MA degree. To enroll in courses as a non-matriculated student, individuals must supply the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders with an official transcript sent directly 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: 

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
CSCD 5521	Foundations in Child Language Disorders (Fall)	3
CSCD 5522	Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders (Fall)	3
CSCD 5525	Foundations and Management in Fluency (Summer)	3
CSCD 8726	Management 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 5 – Early Admissions Deadline
• February 1 – Regular Decision Deadline

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 February 1. 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)
• Human Neuroscience
• Phonetics
• Psycholinguistics (or Introduction to Linguistics or Introduction to Syntax)
• Speech and Hearing Science
• 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: 26
• IELTS Academic: 7.5
• PTE Academic: 65.3

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.///Clearance Requirements: Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required, some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings.  Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements. See Prematriculation Requirements for more information.

All students who attend programs, which have a clinical / practicum / field education experience, will be required to purchase access to EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents, required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.

Students who attend CPH programs which have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus, are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the state of Pennsylvania, FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprints is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.

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 individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.

In addition to the above, students who attend the M.A. program in Speech, Language and Hearing Science program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and proof of current American Heart Association CPR certification for Healthcare Professionals.

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:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
CSCD 5521	Foundations in Child Language Disorders	3
CSCD 5522	Foundations and Management in Phonological Disorders	3
CSCD 5524	Foundations and Management of Motor Speech Disorders	3
CSCD 5525	Foundations and Management in Fluency	3
CSCD 5527	Foundations and Rehabilitation of Language and Cognitive Disorders in Aphasia	3
CSCD 5528	Voice Disorders: Theory and Analysis	3
CSCD 5531	Applications in Audiology	1
CSCD 5546	Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Research Methods in Communication Sciences)	3
CSCD 8722	Foundations and Management in Dysphagia	3
CSCD 8726	Management of Child Language Disorders	3
CSCD 8727	Written Language Development and Disorders	2
CSCD 8729	Neurocognitive Language Disorders	3
CSCD 8824	Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations	2
CSCD 8830	Seminar In CSD	1
HRPR 5001	Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions 1	0
Elective 2		3
Clinical Practicum 3		15-20
CSCD 8147	Basic Practicum in Audiology
CSCD 8187	Basic Practicum in Diagnostic Processes
CSCD 8287	Basic Practicum in Therapy Processes
CSCD 9187	Advanced Practicum in Voice
CSCD 9287	Advanced Practicum in Fluency
CSCD 9387	Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Child
CSCD 9388	Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric
CSCD 9487	Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
CSCD 9488	Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
CSCD 9587	Advanced Practicum in Aphasia
Total Credit Hours		54-59

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
Fall		Credit 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 Hours	12
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 Hours	12
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 Hours	9
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 Hours	10
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 Hours	12
Summer
CSCD 8147	Basic Practicum in Audiology	1
Select one Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology (Pediatric or Adult) course from the following:		3
CSCD 9388	Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric
CSCD 9487	Advanced Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
CSCD 9488	Capstone Field Practicum in Speech Language Pathology - Adult
	Credit Hours	4
	Total Credit Hours	59

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 didactic 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

Department Contacts: