Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, M.S. (Online)
Department Chair: Diane Loeb, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Online Graduate Program Director: Venessa Grandjean, SLPD, CCC-SLP
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department also offers an Online Master of Science degree for graduate students who do not prefer a residential program on the Baylor campus. This online program is also accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
The Speech@Baylor platform incorporates web technologies that can be accessed in most states. Students do not need to be proficient with distance education technology before enrolling, but basic computer literacy, such as knowing how to access a website, is required. Students log into the learning management platform using a secure Baylor login and password. Synchronous sessions are small (approximately 20 students) and conducted via a web video camera. An orientation module for the program is provided and a technology help desk is available to both students and faculty. Asynchronous material is also completed outside of online class time for additional learning.
Admissions
Admission decisions are based on faculty review of undergraduate transcripts, cumulative undergrad (or graduate if degree conferred) GPA from degree bearing university, personal statements, resume, and three letters of recommendation. Policies and operating procedures for the online graduate program are detailed in the Online CSD Graduate Handbook and provided to each student electronically at the start of the semester. Start dates for each student can be individualized to begin in the fall (August), spring (January), or summer (June) trimesters.
Graduate Courses
Online CSD graduate students must complete 45 trimester hours (30 hours of graduate coursework, 6 hours of electives and 9 hours for practicum and internship), accrue 400 clinical hours (including 25 hours of observation), take the National Praxis examination, and pass the required comprehensive examination. This program takes 5 trimesters (approximately 20 months) for full time students and 7 trimesters (approximately 28 months) for part time students. Although this is an online program, over 375 clock hours are spent out in the field completing 3 practicum and 1 internship during weekly workdays. A student who selects this degree should not plan to work more than 10 hours a week at a place of employment during the 3 trimesters of practicum and not at all during the internship.
Required courses for graduate level work consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CSD 5151 | Clinical Practicum Placement 1 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5152 | Clinical Practicum Placement 2 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5153 | Clinical Practicum Placement 3 (needs departmental approval) | 1 |
| CSD 5311 | Aphasiology | 3 |
| CSD 5312 | Fluency Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5313 | Augmentative Communication and Severe Populations | 3 |
| CSD 5314 | Voice Pathology | 3 |
| CSD 5316 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5318 | Methods in Graduate Study in Communication Sciences and Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5319 | EBP Evaluation and Interprofessional Practice in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CSD 5325 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5328 | Diagnosis and Treatment of Dysphagia | 3 |
| CSD 5341 | Birth to Five Language Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 5649 | Speech Pathology Internship (needs departmental approval) | 6 |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
Electives
Students are also required to complete two electives (6 credits) as part of the curriculum. These courses currently consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation 1 | ||
| Multicultural Issues in Speech-Language Pathology | ||
| School-Age Language and Literacy Disorders | ||
| Mentored Research Experience in Communication Sciences and Disorders | ||
| Cognitive Linguistic Communication Disorders | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
All leveling and graduate students who have not had a course in aural rehabilitation will be requested to enroll in this course as an elective.
Leveling Courses
Students who have been accepted to Baylor’s online CSD graduate program but do not have recent undergraduate CSD prerequisite courses (within the past 5 years) are considered a graduate student with leveling status. All students are required to have completed 18 hours (one trimester) of undergraduate courses to meet requirements for state licensure and professional certification although they will not be part of the graduate transcript. Any of these courses (or their equivalency from another university) that are missing from a student’s undergraduate transcript will need to be completed prior to beginning graduate coursework. A student may be waived out of a leveling course if a passing grade has been obtained from another university and the course syllabus description meets the requirements of the Baylor CSD program as determined by the admissions committee.
These required leveling courses consist of:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Leveling Courses | ||
| CSD 5101 | Leveling-Observation (25 hours of observation) | 1 |
| CSD 5201 | Leveling-Clinical Methods | 2 |
| CSD 5305 | Leveling-Survey of Speech Pathology and Audiology | 3 |
| CSD 5306 | Leveling-Language Development | 3 |
| CSD 5307 | Leveling-Introduction to Phonological Science | 3 |
| CSD 5308 | Leveling-Structures and Functions in Communication and Swallowing | 3 |
| CSD 5309 | Leveling-Introduction to Clinical Audiology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
ASHA Courses
In addition, ASHA requires all students to have completed 12 hours of college level science courses consisting of the biological sciences, physical sciences (either chemistry or physics), statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences (Standard IV-A) from an accredited college or university (https://www.asha.org/Certification/2020-SLP-Certification-Standards/). A passing grade of D or better is required to count towards a passing credit for these courses.