Department of Communication Science and Disorders

Mission

The mission of the Department of Communication Science and Disorders is to establish and provide distinctive academic programs for students in Speech-Language Pathology, collaborations with community partners, and service to individuals with communication disorders across the life span.

The department is committed to preparing students to become dedicated, competent clinical leaders in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. The curriculum emphasizes the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to become strong clinical professionals capable of serving a diverse client population.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The department offers the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. The graduate program of study  is available primarily for applicants with undergraduate degrees in Communication Science and Disorders (CSD) or related fields. The degree requires five (5) semesters (2 years) and includes academic coursework as well as clinical practicum requirements. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at the University of Montevallo is accredited 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

All applicants must have coursework equivalents in biology and physical science (chemistry or physics), statistics, and speech science. The science courses must have a lab component and be 4 credit hours, unless a 3 credit hour science was completed as part of the earned undergraduate degree. Any of these additionally listed courses not obtained at the undergraduate level must be completed in addition to the graduate curriculum while at UM.

CSD Department Policies and Procedures

All academic and practicum requirements of graduate students meet ASHA Certification standards. The SLP graduate program involves five semesters of full-time work, including a summer term that includes courses in both Summer I and Summer II. The typical graduation date would be May of the second year.

Each graduate student is assigned to a faculty academic adviser who will guide the student through his/her entire academic and clinical program. However, fulfillment of all requirements for the graduate degree, the ASHA CCC, the state license, and teacher certification is the responsibility of the student.

Graduate SLP students will complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of clinical practicum (375 in direct clinical contact; 25 in observation), of which a minimum of 325 clock hours will be at the graduate level. Students may bring clinical practicum hours from their undergraduate program if they were properly supervised and meet all other ASHA Certification standards. Students transferring more than 75 graduate clock hours from another CAA-accredited institution must complete at least 325 graduate clock hours at Montevallo.

The CSD Department has arrangements with a number of off-campus clinical facilities (e.g., hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, public schools, etc.) where students may obtain properly supervised clinical practicum hours. During the first Fall semester, SLP graduate students obtain practicum experience primarily within the Speech and Language Center, and will begin to obtain practicum experiences off campus as they are ready. During the fall term of the second year, graduate students are assigned part-time to approved off-campus sites. During the Spring term of the second year, graduate students are assigned to approved full-time off-campus externships. Students work in both a pediatric setting and an adult medical setting for their externships. Because there are no academic courses during the externship, students may arrange an externship outside the local area with approval of the clinic director. If going outside the local area to facilities with no previous contracts with the University, the signed contracts must be returned to the department by October 1 prior to the spring externship. Out-of-state placements will require State Authorization.

Courses in Communication Science and Disorders

• Courses of Instruction  

Programs

• Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.