The Master of Science program is designed to prepare students for entry-level professional practice as speech-language pathologists and is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Our degree program provides students with a curriculum that meets or exceeds the academic and clinical practice requirements for professional certification though the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Importantly, our program and curriculum is certified by the CAA for in-person vs. distance learning administration. While all students will gain some experience with service delivery through simulation and a telehealth platform, the majority of classes and clinical rotations will occur in-person at UW and community sites.
*The curriculum below will begin with the entering cohorts of 2021
Educational SLP Medical SLP Clinical Research SLP
Educational SLP Curriculum
Year One
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 500 - Clinical Methodology for Documenting Change (3) | SPHSC 506 – Research Methods in Speech and Hearing Sciences (3) | SPHSC 531 –Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Motor Speech Disorders (3) | SPHSC 550 - Public School Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (3) |
| SPHSC 501 - Neural Bases of Speech, Language & Hearing (3) | SPHSC 529 - Assessment & Treatment of Birth-to-5 Communication Disorders (3) | SPHSC 534 - Assessment & Treatment of Dysphagia (4) | SPHSC 540 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication - Foundations (3) |
| SPHSC 539 - Assessment & Treatment of Speech Sound Disorders (3) | SPHSC 532 - Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Language & Cog-Comm Disorders (4) | SPHSC 536 - Assessment & Treatment of School-Age Communication Disorders (3) | SPHSC 542 – Counseling Skills for Speech, Language & Hearing Professionals (2) |
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | SPHSC 535 - Assessment & Treatment of Voice Disorders (2) | EDSPE 540 – CASE Trainee Seminar (1) | |
| EDSPE 540 – CASE Trainee Seminar (1) | EDSPE 540 – CASE Trainee Seminar (1) | ||
| EDSPE 501 – Foundations of Inclusive Education (3) (CASE Trainees only in Year 1) | |||
| SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (4) | SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (4) | SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (4) | SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (4) |
| 10 cr didactic/4 cr practicum | 12 cr didactic/4 cr practicum | 10 cr didactic/4 cr practicum | 8 cr didactic/4 cr practicum |
Year 2
| Autumn | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 537 - Assessment & Treatment of Fluency Disorders (3) | SPHSC 543 – Assessment & Treatment of Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing (2) | |
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | SPHSC 549 – Clinical Forum in Speech-Language Pathology (2) | |
| SPHSC 526 – Assessment & Treatment of Literacy Disorders (2) | SPHSC 528 – Language Development in Children w/ ASD or other Neurodevelopmental Disorders(2) | |
| EDSPE 501 - Foundations of Inclusive Education (3) | EDSPE 563 – Collaborating with Educational Teams (4) | |
| SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (10) |
| 9 cr didactic/6 cr practicum | 10 cr didactic/6 cr practicum | 0 cr didactic/10 cr practicum |
In addition to the required courses above, students can register for the following optional MedSLP courses w/adviser approval and as scheduling permits (see "Optional Coursework" below).
- 700 / Master’s Thesis (variable credits 1-10, but minimum of 9 total during the program)
- 600 / Independent Study (variable credits 1-10)
Optional EdSLP Coursework
In addition to the curriculum requirements summarized above, students can register for the following optional courses with faculty approval, as scheduling and faculty availability permits. These courses are considered part of the EdSLP curriculum, are covered under the student’s tuition, and are not considered “electives”.
1. Master’s Thesis
Students interested in completing research have the option of interviewing with faculty members from the speech-language pathology interest group (and other affiliated UW departments), for the opportunity to complete a master’s thesis during their graduate program. Each Spring quarter, faculty members conduct interviews and open their research labs to students who may be interested in completing a thesis. The selection process takes both faculty and student preferences into account.
The number of thesis opportunities awarded each year is based on multiple factors, including the number of interested students and the number of available spaces in faculty research labs. If selected to complete a thesis, students are assigned a thesis chair or mentor who will guide their research and a thesis committee of at least 2 members total is established. Thesis chairs must be graduate faculty within the department, but other thesis committee members can be from different disciplines and departments.
Most students start their thesis work during Summer quarter of their first year and take 5 quarters to complete their research. Students must defend their master’s thesis during the quarter in which they are scheduled to graduate, and all students are required to take the following additional courses. Please note that the decision to complete a thesis could extend a student’s program beyond the standard 8 quarters.
Additional Coursework for Students Completing a Thesis
- Required: SPHSC 700 – Master’s Thesis. Students must register for at least 9 total credits of SPHSC 700. Once thesis works begins, students must register for some number of credits of SPHSC 700 each quarter until the thesis is complete. Please be aware that students must be registered for at least 1 credit of SPHSC 700 during the quarter in which they defend their thesis and apply to graduate.
- Optional: Statistics courses at 400 level or above. As necessary, the student’s thesis mentor will guide the student in registering for an appropriate statistics course based upon his/her research focus. This coursework is optional and a student’s thesis mentor will make the determination of necessity.
2. Independent Study
Students have the option of completing an Independent Study (IS) for one or more quarters with a department faculty member on a topic of interest. Upon obtaining the appropriate approvals, students register for SPHSC 600 - Independent Study or Research. The time commitment formula for an IS is 3 hours of work per week for every 1 credit of registration.
Elective Coursework
There are no elective course options in the fee-based, EdSLP program. Due to the academic rigor of the M.S. program, students wishing to take any coursework outside of the required M.S.- EdSLP program plan must submit a request through their Student Services Advisor that will be reviewed by the M.S. Program Director and GPC. The fixed, quarterly tuition rate covers the approved M.S.- EdSLP coursework outlined in this program plan, as well as other UW courses that are not part of the M.S.- EdSLP curriculum (whether inside or outside of the department). Students may register up to 18 total credits without being charged additional tuition at the UW Graduate Tier 1 per credit rate for the Seattle campus.
Medical SLP Curriculum
Year One
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 500 - Clinical Methodology for Documenting Change (3) | SPHSC 506 – Research Methods in Speech & Hearing Sciences (3) | SPHSC 531 –Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Motor Speech Disorders (3) | SPHSC 533 - Medical Speech Language Pathology (3) |
| SPHSC 501 - Neural Bases of Speech, Language & Hearing (3) | SPHSC 529 - Assessment & Treatment of Birth-to-5 Communication Disorders (3) | SPHSC 534 - Assessment & Treatment of Dysphagia (4) | SPHSC 540 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication - Foundations (3) |
| SPHSC 539 - Assessment & Treatment of Speech Sound Disorders (3) | SPHSC 532 - Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Language & Cog-Comm Disorders (4) | SPHSC 536 - Assessment & Treatment of School-Age Communication Disorders (3) | SPHSC 542 – Counseling Skills for Speech, Language & Hearing Professionals (2) |
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | SPHSC 535 - Assessment & Treatment of Voice Disorders (2) | REHAB 554 - Perspectives in Interprofessional Practice (1) | |
| SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553:Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553: Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) |
| 10 cr didactic/3 cr practicum | 12 cr didactic/3 cr practicum | 11 cr didactic/3 cr practicum | 8 cr didactic/3 cr practicum |
Year 2
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 537 - Assessment & Treatment of Fluency Disorders (3) | SPHSC 543 - Assessment & Treatment of Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing (2) | SPHSC 548 – Traumatic Brain Injury Seminar (2) | |
| SPHSC 538 – Dementia & Right Hemisphere Disorders (2) | SPHSC 546 - Complex Neurogenic Disorders (2) | SPHSC 549 – Clinical Forum in Speech-Language Pathology (2) | |
| SPHSC 545 - Assessment & Treatment of Voice Disorders in Medical Settings (2) | |||
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | |||
| SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 - Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (10) |
| 8 cr didactic/6 cr practicum | 4 cr didactic/6 cr practicum | 4 cr didactic/6 cr practicum | 0 cr didactic/10 cr practicum |
In addition to the required courses above, students can register for the following optional MedSLP courses w/adviser approval and as scheduling permits (see "Optional Coursework" below).
- 700 / Master’s Thesis (variable credits 1-10, but minimum of 9 total during the program)
- 600 / Independent Study (variable credits 1-10)
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum is designed to meet both the UW Graduate School and ASHA requirements for graduate level study. The didactic courses listed above are required courses in the Medical Speech-Language Pathology degree program. Completion of these courses will ensure students meet the ASHA standards for knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology as well as provide curricular specialization in medical speech-language pathology. Didactic courses are scheduled around the clinical practica. Students should be aware that some required courses may be offered during evening hours (e.g., 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.). In addition, classes may occasionally meet on Saturdays.
The clinical coursework is designed such that each student will meet the clinical skill requirements and clock hour minimums mandated by ASHA for certification (400 hours). Clinical clock hour targets are provided for each of the 10 required clinical practica. To graduate, students must complete at least 375 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology (325 minimum in the graduate program) plus 25 hours of observation for a minimum total of 400 hours.
Optional MedSLP Coursework
In addition to the curriculum requirements summarized above, students can register for the following optional courses with faculty approval, as scheduling and faculty availability permits. These courses are considered part of the MedSLP curriculum, are covered under the student’s tuition, and are not considered “electives”.
1. Master’s Thesis
Students interested in completing research have the option of interviewing with faculty members from the speech-language pathology interest group (and other affiliated UW departments), for the opportunity to complete a master’s thesis during their graduate program. Each Spring quarter, faculty members conduct interviews and open their research labs to students who may be interested in completing a thesis. The selection process takes both faculty and student preferences into account.
The number of thesis opportunities awarded each year is based on multiple factors, including the number of interested students and the number of available spaces in faculty research labs. If selected to complete a thesis, students are assigned a thesis chair or mentor who will guide their research and a thesis committee of at least 2 members total is established. Thesis chairs must be graduate faculty within the department, but other thesis committee members can be from different disciplines and departments.
Most students start their thesis work during Summer quarter of their first year and take 5 quarters to complete their research. Students must defend their master’s thesis during the quarter in which they are scheduled to graduate, and all students are required to take the following additional courses. Please note that the decision to complete a thesis could extend a student’s program beyond the standard 8 quarters.
Additional Coursework for Students Completing a Thesis
- Required: SPHSC 700 – Master’s Thesis. Students must register for at least 9 total credits of SPHSC 700. Once thesis works begins, students must register for some number of credits of SPHSC 700 each quarter until the thesis is complete. Please be aware that students must be registered for at least 1 credit of SPHSC 700 during the quarter in which they defend their thesis and apply to graduate.
- Optional: Statistics courses at 400 level or above. As necessary, the student’s thesis mentor will guide the student in registering for an appropriate statistics course based upon his/her research focus. This coursework is optional and a student’s thesis mentor will make the determination of necessity.
2. Independent Study
Students have the option of completing an Independent Study (IS) for one or more quarters with a department faculty member on a topic of interest. Upon obtaining the appropriate approvals, students register for SPHSC 600 - Independent Study or Research. The time commitment formula for an IS is 3 hours of work per week for every 1 credit of registration.
Elective Coursework
There are no elective course options in the fee-based, MedSLP program. Due to the academic rigor of the M.S. program, students wishing to take any coursework outside of the required M.S.- MedSLP program plan must submit a request through their Student Services Advisor that will be reviewed by the M.S. Program Director and GPC. The fixed, quarterly tuition rate covers the approved M.S.- MedSLP coursework outlined in this program plan, as well as other UW courses that are not part of the M.S.- MedSLP curriculum (whether inside or outside of the department). Students may register up to 18 total credits without being charged additional tuition at the UW Graduate Tier 1 per credit rate for the Seattle campus.
Clinical Research SLP Curriculum
Year 1
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 500 – Clinical Methodology for Documenting Change (3) | SPHSC 506 - Research Methods in Speech & Hearing Sciences (3) | SPHSC 531 – Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Motor Speech Disorders (3) | SPHSC 540 - Augmentative & Alternative Communication - Foundations (3) |
| SPHSC 501 -– Neural Bases of Speech, Language & Hearing (3) | SPHSC 529 - Assessment & Treatment of Birth-to-5 & Communication Disorders (3) | SPHSC 534 - Assessment & Treatment of Dysphagia (4) | SPHSC 542 - Counseling Skills for Speech, Language & Hearing Professionals (2) |
| SPHSC 539 – Assessment & Treatment of Speech Sound Disorders (3) | SPHSC 532 - Assessment & Treatment of Neurogenic Language & Cog-Comm Disorders (4) | SPHSC 536 - Assessment & Treatment of School-Age Communication Disorders (3) | EDPSY 490 – Basic Educational Statistics (3) |
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | SPHSC 535 - Assessment & Treatment of Voice Disorders (2) | REHAB 554 - Perspectives in Interprofessional Practice (1) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (4) |
| SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (1) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (1) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (1) | |
| SPHSC 553– Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553– Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553– Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) | SPHSC 553– Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (3) |
| 11 cr didactic / 3 cr practicum | 13 cr didactic / 3 cr practicum | 12 cr didactic / 3 cr practicum | 12 cr didactic / 3 cr practicum |
Year 2
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHSC 537 - Assessment & Treatment of Fluency Disorders (3) | SPHSC 543 – Assessment & Treatment of Pediatric Feeding & Swallowing (2) | SPHSC 549 – Clinical Forum in Speech-Language Pathology (2) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (2) |
| SPHSC 565 – Speech-Language Pathology Professional Seminar (1) | SPHSC 567 – Research Seminar in Speech & Hearing Sciences (1) | SPHSC 567 – Research Seminar in Speech & Hearing Sciences (1) | |
| SPHSC 567 – Research Seminar in Speech & Hearing Sciences (1) | EDPSY 538 – Multiple Regression (3) | EDPSY 517 – Applied Measurement in Ed Research (3) | |
| SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (2) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (2) | SPHSC 700 – Master's Thesis (2) | |
| SPHSC 554 -Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 -Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 -Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (6) | SPHSC 554 -Advanced Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (10) |
| 7 cr didactic / 6 cr practicum | 8 cr didactic / 6 cr practicum | 8 cr didactic / 6 cr practicum | 2 cr didactic / 10 cr practicum |
Curriculum Requirements
The graduate curriculum is designed to meet both the UW Graduate School and ASHA requirements. The didactic courses listed above are required courses in the CoRE Speech-Language Pathology graduate program and completion will ensure students meet the ASHA standards for knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology. Didactic courses are scheduled around the needs of the clinical practica. Students should be aware that some required courses may need to be offered during late afternoon or evening hours (e.g., 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.).
The clinical coursework is designed such that each student will meet the clinical skill requirements and clock hour minimum mandated by ASHA for certification (400 hours). Clinical clock hour targets are provided for each of the required clinical practica. To graduate, students must complete at least 375 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology (325 minimum in the graduate program) plus 25 hours of observation for a minimum total of 400 hours.
Optional Coursework
1. Independent Study
Students have the option of completing an Independent Study (IS) for one or more quarters with a department faculty member on a topic of interest. Upon obtaining the appropriate approvals, students register for SPHSC 600 - Independent Study or Research. The time commitment formula for an IS is 3 hours of work per week for every 1 credit of registration.