Speech-Language Pathology, MS

Made for Impact.

The Master of Science (MS) program in Speech-Language Pathology aims to address the academic and clinical needs of master’s students by providing rich learning opportunities that integrate theory and research with the best clinical practices. The program is dedicated to fostering professional excellence that will benefit the quality of life of persons with communication and swallowing disorders as well as advancing knowledge in the discipline. We pride ourselves on small cohorts with strong faculty mentorship.

The Master of Science (MS) education program in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at Piedmont 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.

Path 1: Bachelor of Science (BS)/Master of Science (MS) Combined Program (5-Year Program)

As a CMSD major, students can apply to Piedmont University’s Combined Speech Language Pathology program in Fall Semester of Junior Year. If accepted, during their senior year, students will enroll in the graduate section of specific courses (see identified on program of study) while they complete their BS degree. Following their senior year at Piedmont University, students will fully transition into the master’s program. Students will graduate from Piedmont University with both a Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in communication sciences & disorders and a master’s degree (MS) in speech-language pathology. If not accepted into the combined program, students will complete their BS in CMSD at Piedmont and still have the opportunity to the apply to the MS program during their senior year.

 Path 2: Master of Science (MS) (2-year program)

The program of study consists of 38 hours of academic credit and a sequence of clinical practicum experiences. Students enroll in clinical practicum each semester of the program. During the first year of graduate studies, clinical practicum experiences are obtained within the Piedmont University Speech and Hearing Clinic. During the second year, students are placed in externship assignments to develop a comprehensive clinical foundation. Courses are offered online at this time to offer maximal flexibility in externship assignments. This is a residential program.

Course Descriptions

Prerequisites and Entry Requirements

Prior to admission to the graduate program, students are expected to have completed the following foundational courses for ASHA certification.   

• Biological Sciences (content cannot be related to SPHS) 
• Physical Sciences (must be a physics or chemistry course; content cannot be related to SPHS) 
• Statistics (content cannot be research methods) 
• Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, public health, or anthropology)  

The following prerequisite courses in communication sciences and disorders must be completed for admission into the program. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in speech and hearing sciences may apply, but must complete the following prerequisite courses. If a student is missing one pre-requisite course, they can be accepted with a deficiency in that they will need to complete the course concurrent with graduate work or prior to beginning graduate work. Determination of suitability for concurrent coursework will be made on an individual basis.

Application Instructions 

Piedmont undergraduates majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will be eligible to apply for the Combined BS/MS 5-year program in the fall semester of their junior year. Submit application materials to Cat Mote at cmote@piedmont.edu. Required documents for application to this program are: three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vita/resume, and completion of the writing prompt developed by faculty. The CMSD Department and Graduate Admissions has access to Piedmont student transcripts.

Students applying for the MS 2-year program please complete the following steps:

• Complete the CSDCAS application using the application button above.
• Request that official transcripts from all US institutions attended be sent to CSDCAS that reflect a GPA of 3.0 when applying to the MS 2-year program. A GPA of 3.5 is required to be considered for the Combined 5-year BS/MS program.
• Complete the writing prompt developed by faculty and upload your response to the documents section of CSDCAS.
• Request 3 letters of recommendation be sent through the CSDCAS recommender portal.
• Upload your curriculum vita/resume in the Documents section of CSDCAS.
  • Your curriculum vita/resume should include your leadership and service activities.

International Application Instructions

In addition to the application requirements described above, special admission documents must be submitted before an international student will be allowed to enroll. Click here to the international admissions page.

Program Assessment

All students must demonstrate that they are competent in the knowledge and skills as defined by the 2023 ASHA Standards. Each course and clinical practicum in the sequence targets specific knowledge and skills related to the standards as well as formative and summative evaluation period.

Program Formative assessment

1. Mid-term student review by all clinical supervisors and academic faculty.
2. Each student must complete a Professional Portfolio. The Professional Portfolio will serve as a measure of active engagement in professional practice competency areas (i.e., accountability, effective communication skills, evidence-based practice, professional duty) as well as cultural competence/humility.

Program Summative Assessment

1. Each student must complete at least one colloquium research and presentation project during their first year of taking graduate level coursework. The purpose of clinical colloquium is to assess the student’s ability to apply fundamentals of evidence-based practice in a case examination. Information pertinent to the case study (e.g., interprofessional opportunities, client advocacy, etc.) will be included.
2. Each student must present and facilitate one grand rounds discussion during the final two semesters in which they are enrolled in externship. The student will choose a case study or service delivery aspect from their externship. The purpose of grand rounds is to assess the student’s ability to apply the scientific bases and research principles to clinical populations.
3. Comprehensive examination will occur during the final semester of the graduate program. Feedback on areas of strength and weakness will be given to help prepare for the PRAXIS exam.
4. Note that guided research projects are available and optional. Guided research projects will contribute to a student’s summative assessment.

Tuition & Fees

Strategic Plan: 2023-2026

CMSD Student Outcome Data

Student outcome data will be published here as it becomes available. The MS-SLP program’s first cohort is anticipated to graduate in May 2025. Data on completion rates and Praxis examination completion will be posted and updated annually.

Program Completion Rate

Student Outcome	Class of 2025	Class of 2026	Class of 2027
Number completed program within expected timeframe	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available
Percentage completing within expected timeframe	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available

Praxis Examination Pass Rates of Graduates

Reporting Period	Number Taking Exam	Number Passed Exam	Percentage Passed Exam Rate
Class of 2025	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available
Class of 2026	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available
Class of 2027	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available

Employment Rates of Graduates within One Year of Graduation

Student Outcome	Class of 2025	Class of 2026	Class of 2027
Number of Graduates	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available
Percentage of Graduates Employed	Not yet available	Not yet available	Not yet available

Program Handbooks

Program Advisory Board

The Program Advisory Board assists the SLP program in attaining its goals and strategic plan. The purpose of the Board is to foster excellence in the development of the SLP program. The Board accomplishes this by providing input on academic and clinical issues. This can include potential community partnerships, regional advocacy and awareness, and mutual support. The Board is in an advisory capacity only. Board members serve a 3-year term and meet bi-annually. Our inaugural meeting was held November 11, 2022.

Name and Affiliation

• Suzanne Deal, Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital
• Anna Bishop, St. Mary's Hospital
• Letitia Roller, Piedmont University
• MaryKay Berry, White County Schools
• Lisa Eller, Habersham County Schools