MA in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Speech-Language Pathology

The MA in speech-language pathology degree is designed to prepare students for careers in clinical service delivery in speech-language pathology. Most graduates of the master's program hold clinical positions in schools, hospitals, community clinics, private practices, and other facilities around the country where they evaluate and treat individuals with communication disorders.

Our information sessions for this year have concluded. If you would like additional information, please fill out our inquiry form.

Mission of the MA in Speech-Language Pathology

The master's program combines academic coursework and clinical education experiences in the environment of a major research university where faculty are actively engaged in pursuing questions that have clinical relevance and impact. Master's students have opportunities to collaborate with faculty in research experiences in addition to fulfilling the requirements for professional practice.

In all programs, we strive to serve scholars within the University and broader community with interwoven coursework and clinical and research experiences. These experiences enable students to:

1. Understand the complexities of human communication across the life span;

2. Implement evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies;

3. Operate in a manner consistent with state and national-level codes of ethics;

4. Maintain sensitivity to the personal, social, academic, and vocational consequences of difficulties in communication; 

5. Consider diverse client identities and provide responsive services; and

6. Become leaders in their clinical environments.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) education program in audiology {residential} at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities are 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.

The University of Minnesota academic programs in Audiology and MA-Speech-Language Pathology are designed to prepare students to apply for applicable licensure or certification in Minnesota. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Minnesota, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information in the University of Minnesota Professional Licensure Hub. Note: The link provided for Speech-Language Pathology also provides information about Audiology requirements.

Clinical certification is granted to an individual clinician after they have done all of the following:

• Completed the MA program
• Passed a national certification test in Speech-Language Pathology
• Completed a clinical fellowship (CF) under the supervision of a clinician who holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA in the appropriate professional area

We are proud to share our student outcome data.

Degree Progress

Students enrolled in our MA-SLP program are expected to participate in person, full-time. Students who enter the program having completed most or all of the required prerequisite coursework are expected to enroll for 4 semesters (fall/spring across 2 years) and students who enter the program who need to initially complete preparatory coursework will enroll for 6 semesters (fall/spring across 3 years). Students are expected to engage in clinical practica during the summers in between each academic year. MA-SLP students are expected to be present in-person during the duration of the program.

Speech-Language Pathology graduate students complete academic coursework and clinical practicum concurrently. Practicum placements vary on a semester basis. Students start practicum with clinicians in our internal Julia M. Davis Speech-Language-Hearing Science Center. For external practicum, we work with a range of sites: schools, private practice, hospitals, rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, etc. For more information about practicum sites, download our list of recent practicum sites.

Outline for MA-SLP Degree Progress