Speech-Language Pathology

Shenandoah’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) program is designed for learners with a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders or related fields (psychology, biology, education, etc.) and provides academic and clinical coursework needed to meet national certification and state (VA) licensure requirements. Students who apply for the MSSLP program without a background in communication sciences and disorders or speech pathology (usually a Bachelor of Science) must have completed specific prerequisite courses prior to applying for admittance. (View proposed prerequisite coursework below.)

The MSSLP program at Shenandoah is predominantly in person, with approximately 25% of coursework offered online. 

Our program requires students to complete a minimum of 400 clinical practicum hours under the supervision of a certified speech pathologist, along with the required course work. The program prepares students to earn a passing score on the Speech-Language Pathology PRAXIS exam and to complete a Clinical Fellowship. Both are requirements for certification. 

Undergraduate degrees that provide excellent preparation for this graduate program include: 

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders or Speech Pathology
• Bachelor’s degrees in biology, psychology, sociology, education or special education
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor’s degrees with concentrations related to the singing voice, as well as anatomy and physiology, or paired with a minor in communication disorders

All students in the MSSLP program are subject to specific policies and procedures set forth by the MSSLP Student Handbook (Click here for handbook)

The Master of Science (MS-SLP) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at Shenandoah University is a Candidate for Accreditation 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

For complaints, please click here: https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/

Program Completion Rates

Period	Completed within proposed timeframe	Completed later than proposed timeframe	Number not completed	Percentage completed program
2024-2025	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2025-2026	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2026-2027	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2027-2028	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Employment Rates in the Profession

Period	Number of Graduates	Percentage of Graduates
2024-2025	N/A	N/A
2025-2026	N/A	N/A
2026-2027	N/A	N/A
2027-2028	N/A	N/A

PRAXIS Examination Pass Rates

Period	Number taking exam	Pass Rate
2024-2025	N/A	N/A
2025-2026	N/A	N/A
2026-2027	N/A	N/A
2027-2028	N/A	N/A

Course Number	Course Name	Credit Hours
SLP 400	Introduction to Communication Disorders	3
SLP 401	Normal Speech and Language Development	3
SLP 402	Speech and Hearing Anatomy and Physiology	3
SLP 403	Audiology	3
SLP 404	Phonetics	3
SLP 405	Speech Science	3
SLP 406*	Observation in Communication Disorders	1

*During this course, 25 guided observation hours are earned.

In addition to the prerequisite speech courses, the following prerequisite courses must be completed at the college level with a “B” or better before admission to the MSSLP program: 

• Biological Science
• Physical Science
• Social/Behavioral Science (psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health can meet this prerequisite)
• Statistics

This two-year Speech-Language Pathology program includes 60-credit hours (55 required core semester hours and 5 elective semester hours)

Prerequisites

Program prerequisites include:

• SLP 400/500 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 credits)
• SLP 401/501 Normal Speech and Language Development (3 credits)
• SLP 402/502 Speech and Hearing Anatomy and Physiology (3 credits)
• SLP 403/503 Audiology (3 credits)
• SLP 404/504 Phonetics (3 credits)
• SLP  405/505 Speech Science (3 credits)
• SLP 406/506 Observation in Communication Disorders (1 credit)

Curriculum

Fall Semester – Year One

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
SLP 512	Neuroanatomy & Physiology	3
SLP 513	Early Intervention: Language Disorders in Birth to 5 Population	3
SLP 514	Phonology and Articulation Disorders	3
SLP 515	Adult Language Disorders: Aphasia and Right Hemisphere Disorders	2
SLP 507	Foundations of Clinical Practicum I	1
SLP 516	Foundations of Counseling in Communication Disorders	2
SLP 517	Differential Diagnosis in Communication Disorders	2
	Total Credit Hours:	15

Spring Semester – Year One

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
SLP 518	Language Disorders in School-Age Populations	2
SLP 519	Cognitive-Linguistic Disorders in Adults	2
SLP 522	Autism and Neurodiversity	3
SLP 520	Research in Communication Disorders	3
SLP 521	Dysphagia	3
SLP 508	Clinical Practicum I	1
	Total Credit Hours:	14

Summer Semester – Year One

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
SLP 523	Augmentative and Alternative Communication	3
SLP 524	Multicultural Populations	3
SLP 509	Clinical Practicum II	1
	Elective	3
	Total Credit Hours:	10

Fall Semester – Year Two

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
SLP 525	Motor Speech	3
SLP 526	Voice Disorders	3
SLP 527	Aural Rehabilitation	3
SLP 510	Advanced Clinical Practicum I	2
	Elective	3
	Total Credit Hours:	14

Spring Semester – Year Two

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
SLP 529	Professional Issues, Advocacy & Ethics in Speech Pathology	2
SLP 528	Fluency Disorders	2
SLP 530	Capstone Projects	3
SLP 511	Advanced Clinical Practicum II	2
	Elective	2-3
	Total Credit Hours:	11-12

Electives

Some elective options include:

• SLP 531 Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Disorders (3 credits)
• SLP 532 Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (3 credits)
• SLP 533 Professional Speaking (1 credit)
• SLP 537 Medical Speech Pathology (2 credits)
• MUTH 561 Introduction to Sign Language
• SLP  595  Special Topics 

Katrina Miller

Associate Professor/Director of Speech-Language Pathology

View Dr. Miller’s Faculty Profile

Meet the Speech-Language Pathology Faculty

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admissions materials, and find our admissions standards.

Application Information

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association position on Students and Professionals Who Speak English with Accents and Non-Standard Dialects:  

Position Statement:

It is the position of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) that students and professionals in communication sciences and disorders who speak with accents and/or dialects can effectively provide speech, language, and audiological services to persons with communication disorders as long as they have the expected level of knowledge in normal and disordered communication, the expected level of diagnostic and clinical case management skills, and if modeling is necessary, are able to model the target phoneme, grammatical feature, or other aspect of speech and language that characterizes the client’s particular problem. All individuals speak with an accent and/or dialect; thus, the nonacceptance of individuals into higher education programs or into the professions solely on the basis of the presence of an accent or dialect is discriminatory. Members of ASHA must not discriminate against persons who speak with an accent and/or dialect in educational programs, employment, or service delivery, and should encourage an understanding of linguistic differences among consumers and the general population.

Retrieved from: https://www.asha.org/policy/ps1998-00117/

Please see the university’s full Non-Discrimination And Bias Policy webpage.

It is the goal of the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) to offer free speech and language services to the Leesburg and Winchester communities. Services include individual and group treatments for children, teenagers and adults with communication differences and disorders.

Testing and Treatment Services

Comprehensive and evidence-based diagnostic and treatment services will be provided by graduate speech and language pathology students under the supervision of a certified and licensed speech-language pathologists. Clients will work with therapeutic teams to develop goals that meet their specific needs.

We will treat people who have:

• Articulation Disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Aphasia
• Dementias
• Right hemisphere brain damage
• Stuttering
• Voice Disorders (including the singing voice)
• Alternative and augmented communication (AAC)
• Accent expansion preferences

For additional information regarding start dates, contact slpclinic@su.edu.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Strategic Plan

View Strategic Plan (PDF)