The communicative sciences and disorders community in Utah emphasizes bridging research and treatment to produce the best outcomes. From audiologists to SLPs and their assistants, Utah’s community of communicative sciences and disorders professionals continues to expand, network and flourish, amid the growing demand for therapeutic services to deal with speech, fluency and swallowing disorder. The Utah Department of Workforce Services predicts a 27.5 percent increase in jobs for SLPs in the years leading up to 2024, surpassing the national average of 21 percent.
What is the USU program?
There is a critical need in the field for masters and doctoral level professionals. Apart from all the normal barriers like the GRE, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, all graduate programs in SLP or Audiology require quite a bit of undergraduate coursework that many qualified applicants might not have or that a school might not offer as part of the advanced degree.
The USU program is designed to help student complete the required prerequisites online.
Why did I choose USU?
Several schools offer online SLP prerequisites. Some offer them as certificates but must of them only offer the classes as a just that – a collection of classes. So why did I pick USU?
- The program can be completed entirely online. For me that’s a must because I live and work in Mexico.
- Based only off the website the program looks super well organized. All the syllabi are available online along with the whole program sequence. On top of that, the staff I talked with was responsive and friendly. It might be a bit harsh, but several other programs I looked at had websites that were difficult to understand and so many of the staff were aloof and even a tad rude.
- The program offers a degree as opposed to a certificate or collection of classes. A degree is a much more versatile qualification. If you don’t get into a masters program (which hopefully isn’t the case) or decide to change fields, a degree in communication disorders is a pretty valuable thing.
- At $299 per credit hour the tuition is among the most affordable I found.
Utah State University Online Speech Pathology Program
MS/MA COMDDE – SLP Specialization
Utah State University’s speech-language pathology program provides a Master’s of Arts (MA) or Master’s of Science (MS) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology. This post-baccalaureate degree is part of the Western Regional Graduate Exchange program (WRGP). The two-year program consists of 55-58 credit hours across six semesters of full-time study beginning with a summer semester. Students graduate eligible for certification pending completion of a clinical fellowship year and Utah licensure.
Students will be prepared to meet the needs of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, as well as those whose communication problems prevent them from effectively using language and other means to communicate within their community. In addition to professional training in communication sciences, students will gain knowledge about language development, linguistics, education for the hearing impaired and deaf, psychology, neuroscience and neuropsychology, as well as methods for assessing and treating individuals with speech, language, voice or swallowing disorders.
The primary program objective is to prepare students to become speech-language pathologists competent to work with individuals of all ages who have developmental or neurological disorders relating to articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, language development, swallowing, augmentative modalities, and cognitive or social aspects of communication. The MA degree requires a final comprehensive exam prior to completion and the MS degree requires completion of a thesis.
The program offers many settings for students to gain clinical skills. The primary location is the Speech and Language Clinic, in the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence, a state of the art interprofessional center providing comprehensive services across the lifespan. Students also engage in diverse educational, medical, and early intervention externships across Utah and beyond. Students can gain specialized knowledge and skills for working with young children who are deaf or hard of hearing through the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) emphasis and Sound Beginnings center. Individuals in Utah working as speech-language technicians, with agreements from their school districts, may be able to carry out the program as Outreach students.
To be accepted in the master’s degree program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders or the equivalent undergraduate prerequisite courses from USU or another regionally accredited university program.
MS – Communication Sciences
The master’s degree in Communication Sciences is a non-clinical degree in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. This 30-credit program prepares students to enter the Disability Disciplines PhD program strand in speech-language pathology or the Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Neuroscience at Utah State University. Students from this program could also be eligible to apply to other doctoral programs in behavioral science or other health or education related fields.
PhD – SLP in Disability Disciplines
Speech-language pathology is a specialization within the Disability Disciplines PhD Program in the Emma Eccles Jones School of Education and Human Services. The Disability Disciplines Doctoral Program offers a multidisciplinary doctoral degree that brings together faculty and students across disciplinary and departmental lines to explore interrelated aspects of disabilities. With their mentor and committee, students design an individualized program of study within this program. Learn about the SLP emphasis within this PhD.
PhD – SLP in Neuroscience
The doctoral program in neuroscience provides students with a strong educational and research foundation in cellular, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience. Students apply critical concepts in neuroscience to understanding normal and disordered processes of sensation, movement, cognition, language, and communication across the lifespan. In this program, students take a core set of neuroscience courses, advanced electives, and laboratory experiences. Beyond the core, students select one of the following focus areas in which to complete further preparation: Translational Neuroscience, Educational Neuroscience, or Lifespan Neuroscience. With their mentor and committee, students design an individualized program of study within these focus areas. Learn more about the neuroscience degree.
Application is available through the
Office of Research and Graduate Studies.APPLY NOW
POLICIES
PRIOR YEAR COURSE SEQUENCEAdvisor Contact
| Name: | Michelle Wilson | |
| Phone: | 435-797-9271 | |
| Email: | michelle.wilson@usu.edu |
The masters (MA, MS) in Speech-Language Pathology at Utah State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301- 296-5700.
- SLP Course Sequence
- SLP Admissions
- SLP Outreach
- SLP LSL
- MS in Communication Science
Course Sequence
| SEMESTER 1 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SEMESTER 2 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SEMESTER 3 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SEMESTER 4 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SEMESTER 5 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| SEMESTER 6 | ||
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| COMD 5240 | Neural Bases of Communication a | 3 |
| COMD 6250 | Birth to Five Language Intervention | 3 |
| COMD 6150 | Phonological Assessments & Intervention | 3 |
| COMD 6100 | Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 |
| COMD 6020 | Language Assessment & Intervention for School-Age Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| COMD 6130 | Acquired Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| COMD 6230 | Introduction to Research in Communicative Disorders | 3 |
| COMD 6100 | Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) | 3 |
| COMD 6200 | Internship in the Public Schools (Outreach) | 4 |
| COMD 6120 | Adult Language Disorders | 3 |
| COMD 6140 | Dysphagia | 3 |
| COMD 6100 | Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) | 3 |
| COMD 6200 | Internship in the Public Schools (Outreach) | 4 |
| COMD 6220 | Severe Communication Impairments | 2 |
| COMD 6300 | Specialty externship in Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) b | 3 |
| COMD 6300 | Medical externship in Speech-Language Pathology (Outreach) | 10 |
| COMD 6050 | Professional Practice in Speech Language Pathology | 2 |
| COMD 6030 | Disorders of Fluency/Stuttering | 3 |
| COMD 6810 | Voice and Resonance Disorders | 3 |
| COMD 6200 | Internship in the Public Schools: Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) | 5 |
| COMD 6200 | Internship in the Public Schools: Speech-Language Pathology (Outreach) | 3 |
| COMD 6100 | Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) c | 1 |
| COMD 6200 | Internship in the Public Schools: Speech-Language Pathology (Outreach) | 3 |
| COMD 6300 | Medical externship in Speech-Language Pathology (Campus) d | 10 |
| COMD 6930 | Comprehensive Examination in Speech-Language Pathology e | 1 |
a not part of graduate program, if needed, may be taken online Summer 1 or Fall 1
b variable arrangements, equivalent to minimum 4 wks full-time
c Optional clinical experience, may occur in Summer 4
d Order of externships may be changed
e Or Plan B thesis project (COMD 6970, 2 credits)
COMDDE 1st Bachelor’s Degree Online
Are you looking for a career in communication sciences and disorders? You have found the right place. The Online 1st Bachelor of Science or Arts (BS/BA) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education is a pre-professional degree program. Students receive academic preparation needed for graduate study in the entry level degree for employment in the communication sciences and disorders or CSD professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, or in deaf education. A master’s degree is the entry level for employment as a speech-language pathologist and deaf educators, while audiologists require a clinical doctorate, with most employment settings also requiring certification and state licensure. Bachelor’s degree graduates may also work as technicians or assistants in the field of communication disorders, but requirements, repsonsibilities, and conditions vary by state and employer. In addition, the undergraduate curriculum offers a broad preparation in general education, with a sound scientific foundation suitable for diverse careers in health, education, and human services.
The 1st BS/BA is offered completely online. This is the most flexible solution if you are balancing work schedules, family time, and more. USU has been offering its online delivery for over 15 years, perfecting the online, higher-educational experience. Take it from those who have been through the program; out of a survey of nearly 700 students, 95.8% said they would recommend our online COMDDE program to others. Many have gone on to graduate school, gaining a strong foundation through this bachelor’s program.
APPLY NOWAdvisor Contact
Kristy Meeks
435-797-2469
kristy.meeks@usu.edu
Schedule an Appointment
Course Sequence
Below is the recommended sequence for COMD courses completed in two years. For the full 4-year, 120-credit online degree plan in the USU catalog, go to https://catalog.usu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=12&poid=10414
Every semester, consult with your academic advisor to be assured you have the correct courses in the correct sequence and matched to your individual program of study.
- Degree-seeking students take a minimum of 13 COMD courses: 11 core courses and at least 2 Option courses
- COMD courses should be taken in the sequence listed
- Students may take more option courses based on their educational interests and career plans
- All required courses are typically taught online every semester
- Option online courses vary by semester of availability
- Students can take some COMD courses starting in their Freshman year
- Students cannot take prerequisites concurrently with courses that require them
- All required and option COMD courses must be taken for a letter grade (not Pass/D+, D, F)
- A minimum grade of C is required for all COMD courses and prerequisites
- Human Anatomy/Physiology and Statistics courses must be taken for a letter grade
- COMD courses are only open to students in the major unless specified as OM (Open Major)
- CI = Communication Intensive for General Education requirements
- To get your current textbook list go to the USU Bookstore.
| COURSE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS | PREREQUISITES* |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL SEMESTER JUNIOR YEAR | |||
| COMD 2600 | Introduction to Communicative Disorders (OM) | 3 | |
| COMD 3200 | Child Language Development | 3 | |
| COMD 3400 | Hearing Science | 3 | |
| COMD 3500 | Phonetics and Phonological Development (OM) | 3 | |
| SPRING SEMESTER JUNIOR YEAR | |||
| COMD 3100 | Speech Science | 3 | |
| COMD 3600 | Language Science (CI) | 3 | |
| COMD 4450 | Child Communication Disorders | 3 | COMD 3200 |
| FALL SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR | |||
| COMD 3700 | Basic Audiology | 3 | COMD 3400 |
| COMD 4200 | Clinical Methods (CI) | 3 | |
| SPRING SEMESTER SENIOR YEAR | |||
| COMD 4500 | Adult Communication Disorders | 3 | COMD 3100 |
| COMD 5330 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 | COMD 3400 |
| OPTIONS | |||
| COMD 3010 | American Sign Language I (CI, OM) | 4 | |
| COMD 3120 | Management of Speech Sounds Disorders | 3 | |
| COMD 3910 | American Sign Language II | 4 | COMD 3010 |
| COMD 4780 | Sociocultural Aspects of Deafness | 3 | |
| COMD 5070 | Advanced Phonetics (Option) | 3 | COMD 3400 and 3500 |
| COMD 5210 | Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Communicative Disorders (OM) | 3 | |
| COMD 5240 | Neural Bases of Cognition and Communication (OM) | 3 | COMD 3100 |
Admissions
Grade Requirements
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for admission into the COMD major, typically at the beginning of the junior year (approximately 60 credits).
- A minimum of C grade in all COMD courses is required to graduate in the COMD major.
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA across all coursework is required to graduate in the COMD major.
- Acceptance into graduate programs is on a competitive basis. Students are selected on GPA in combination with other indicators of achievement. Students planning on graduate school in speech-language pathology, audiology, or deaf education should carefully and honestly evaluate their potential for excelling in their coursework and maintaining a high GPA.
Those seeking their first bachelor’s degree should do the folowing:
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