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Improve the quality of life for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders

Speech-language pathologists assist individuals of all ages, ranging from infants with eating and swallowing difficulties to seniors with speech-language impairments and cognitive-communication disorders. Through remediation of these issues and improvement of communication skills, speech-language pathologists empower their clients to lead more fulfilling lives and participate more actively in their communities.

If you aspire to a career in this field, obtaining a master's degree in speech-language pathology is crucial. Our degree program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of communication intricacies and equips them to diagnose and treat a range of speech and language disorders.

Whether your passion lies in working with children, adults, or specialized groups, the field of speech-language pathology presents diverse career paths and opportunities for professional growth.

About Our Program

Our program strongly believes in embracing cultural and linguistic diversity and places great value on educating the public. As a speech-language pathology student, your education will be based on the program’s strong focus on evidence based practice, critical thinking skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical principles and ongoing professional growth.

As you conduct on-site evaluations for speech, language, and hearing abilities, working with individuals of all ages to assess, diagnose, and treat various communication disorders, you will supervised and taught by our highly skilled and dedicated faculty. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work with individuals in public schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, state schools or home health agencies.

The Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program at SFA is dedicated to preparing confident and competent professionals who can accurately diagnose and successfully treat individuals with communication and swallowing disorders throughout the lifespan.

Accreditation

The master of science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at Stephen F. Austin 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.

Graduate Student Handbook

Our graduate handbook provides detailed information on admissions, degree plans, our curriculum and more.

Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Handbook

SLP Career Outlook

As a speech-language pathology professional, you can expect a very strong job outlook.

There are a wide range of positions available to speech-language pathology professionals. Approximately half work in school settings, while others commonly work in hospitals, private health facilities, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation settings and private practices.

Employers of our alumni have indicated that our graduates surpass expectations in clinical preparation and bring a higher level of skills in certain areas compared to graduates from other programs.

Program Data

Student Outcome Data

Admission Data

The data has been taken from the 2022-2023 admission cycle: 

Total number of applicants: 113
Average Overall GPA: 3.60 
Average CSDS GPA: 3.54 
Total Number of Interviews Offered: 70
Total Number of Offers Accepted: 25 

Admission cycle statistics include residential applicants only.

Admission Requirements

To apply for the MS-SLP program at SFASU, you will need to meet the following requirements.

1. Bachelor’s Degree

Have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in the fields of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) or speech-language pathology (SLP). All degrees must be earned from an accredited institution.

  •  If your Bachelor’s degree is in a field other than CSD or SLP, you may need to complete prerequisite courses before applying. Review our Leveling Program section for more information.

You can apply while you are still enrolled in an eligible undergraduate degree program. However, you must submit a plan of study with your application that indicates all remaining courses, including prerequisite coursework, that will be completed before program enrollment.

2. Prerequisites

Required American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) basic prerequisite courses for all applicants include:

  • Biological Science (Concepts of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biology, etc.)
  • Physical Science (Physics or Chemistry – introductory or basics are acceptable)
  • Social or Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology)
  • Statistics

Application Requirements

Two different applications are required for admission into the SFA Speech-Language Pathology program.

1. ApplyTexas or Common Application

One of these applications is required for admittance into Stephen F. Austin State University.

2. Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS)

The Speech-Language Pathology graduate program uses CSDCAS, a service that allows applicants to apply to multiple graduate programs using a single online application. This application is required for admittance into the SFA Speech-Language Pathology graduate program.

When applying for graduate school on CSDCAS you will need to select your designation as Residential (on-campus) or Distance* (off-campus).

* Applications for the Distance program are only accepted every other year.

The submission deadline for the 2023-2024 cycle is February 1, 2024.

Application Documents

1. Transcripts

You must send official transcripts from all universities directly to the CSDCAS application. Our office will send all official transcripts over to the SFA application.

2. GPA

A minimum GPA of 3.0 on program prerequisites is preferred, but the applicant's grade trend will be considered.

3. Three Letters of Recommendation

Provide recommendation letters from individuals who can genuinely speak to your academic and professional suitability for a graduate program.

4. Letter of Intent

A letter of intent is a chance for you to directly communicate with a committee and showcase your interest in their program. It provides an opportunity for the committee to gain insight into your voice, research interests and communication skills.

5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

CVs provide a summary of your academic background, research interests, work experience, honors and accomplishments.

Please Note: Our office will not accept any application materials. Please ensure that all documents are sent to the location specified in the application’s instructions.

Distance Education

In addition to the above, distance program applicants are also required to:

  1. Be employed as an SLP-Assistant in Texas.
  2. Submit an Employer Sponsorship Agreement form.
  3. Have access to high speed internet.
  4. Be able to attend all courses on livestream, via Zoom.

Please Note: Our coursework is not asynchronous, you must be able to attend all courses on livestream, via Zoom.

Graduate Curriculum

Residential Curriculum

First Year

Summer I
N/A
Summer II
SPHS 5301 - Speech Sound Disorders in Children (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5303 - Professional Writing for the SLP (3 hrs.)
Fall
SPHS 5300 - Neurogenic Language Disorders (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5314 - Clinical Practicum Early Childhood Intervention (3 hrs.)
SPSY 5331 - Quantitative Research Methods (3 hrs.)
    and either:
SPHS 5307 - Speech Science (3 hrs.)
    or
SPHS 5311 - Aural/Oral (3 hrs.)
Spring
SPHS 5310 - Special Topics (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5119 - Capstone Experience (1 hr.)
SPHS 5364 - Clinical Practicum: Supervision (3 hrs.)

Second Year

Summer I*
SPHS 5334 - Clinical Practicum Contemporary Issues/AAC (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5312 - Voice Disorders and Craniofacial Anomalies (3 hrs.)
Summer II*
SPHS 5344 - Clinical Practicum Counseling (3 hrs.)
Fall
SPHS 5302 - Fluency Disorders (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5305 - Lang. Dis./Multicultural (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5354 - Clinical Practicum Case Management (3 hrs.)
Spring
SPHS - Special Topics (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5119 - Capstone Experience (1 hr.)
SPHS 5364 - Clinical Practicum: Supervision (3 hrs.)

Distance Curriculum

First Year

Summer I
N/A
Summer II
SPHS 5301 - Speech Sound Disorders in Children (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5303 - Professional Writing for the SLP (3 hrs.)
Fall
SPHS 5300 - Neurogenic Language Disorders (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5314 - Clinical Practicum Early Childhood Intervention (3 hrs.)
SPSY 5331 - Quantitative Research Methods (3 hrs.)
    and either:
SPHS 5307 - Speech Science (3 hrs.)
    or
SPHS 5311 - Aural/Oral (3 hrs.)
Spring
SPHS 5306 - Dysphagia (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5308 - Neuropathologies of Speech (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5109 - Capstone Proposal (1 hr.)
SPHS 5324 - Clinical Practicum Medical Cases (3 hrs.)

Second Year

Summer I*
SPHS 5334 - Clinical Practicum Contemporary Issues/AAC (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5312 - Voice Disorders and Craniofacial Anomalies (3 hrs.)
Summer II*
SPHS 5344 - Clinical Practicum Counseling (3 hrs.)
Fall
SPHS 5302 - Fluency Disorders (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5305 - Lang. Dis./Multicultural (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5354 - Clinical Practicum Case Management (3 hrs.)
Spring
SPHS 5310 - Special Topics (3 hrs.)
SPHS 5119 - Capstone Experience (1 hr.)
SPHS 5364 - Clinical Practicum: Supervision (3 hrs.)
Summer I
Final Externship Placement

*Graduate students will either have a summer I or a summer II externship placement.

Leveling Program

Those who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in other fields of study are required to complete ten undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) courses (30 credit hours) before acceptance into the graduate program can be considered*.

Semester OneSemester Two
CSDS 2310 - PhoneticsCSDS 3310 - Language Disorders
CSDS 2320 - Normal Speech/Language DevelopmentCSDS 4310 - Neuropathologies of Speech
CSDS 2340 - Anatomy and Physiology of SpeechCSDS 4320 - Clinical Methods
CSDS 2340 - Intro to AudiologyCSDS 4330 - Clinical Assisting
CSDS 3300 - Speech DisordersCSDS 4340 - Speech Science
Apply to Major - Application due: 11/1 for Fall or 4/1 for SpringApply to Graduate School - Application due: 2/1

In addition, four ASHA-required, non-CSD courses must be taken for credit. These courses are:

  • Biological Science (Concepts of Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biology, etc.)
  • Physical Science (Physics or Chemistry – introductory or basics are acceptable)
  • Social or Behavioral Science (Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology)
  • Statistics

Important Note: At this time, the leveling program only offers in-person courses. There are no CSDS undergraduate courses that are available online.

*Successful completion of the leveling program does not guarantee admission into the SLP Graduate program.

How To Join the SLP Leveling Program

Apply for the SLP leveling program by completing the application for SFA’s graduate school as a post-baccalaureate admission.

Once admitted, you will need to contact the program’s administrative assistant for course advising.

FAQs

Is the GRE required to apply for the graduate program?

  • No. We do not require the GRE. The only requirements for our application are listed in the Application Requirements section.

How much is tuition for the graduate program?

  • Please refer to the SFA Tuition Calculator for the best estimate on tuition costs.

If offered admission to the graduate program, can I defer my acceptance?

  • No, the offer of admission is only good for the year in which you are accepted.

Do I need to submit my official transcripts to both the ApplyTexas/Common App and the CSDCAS application?

  • No, you can submit your transcripts to CSDCAS and we can move them over to your SFA application profile.

How many students are accepted into your graduate program?

  • We accept 25 residential students every year and 10 distance students every other year.

Does the SLP graduate program offer the distance program every year?

  • No, the graduate distance education program in speech-language pathology accepts students on alternating years. The next cohort cycle begins in 2024 with applications opening on October 1, 2023, and the next will be in 2026 with applications opening on October 1, 2025.
     

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Lydia Richardson
Email: lprichardson@sfasu.edu
Office: 936.468.1255

Program Administrative Support:

Jennifer Fry
Email: Jennifer.Fry@sfasu.edu
Office: 936.468.1252

Contact

Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership
936.468.2906
HSEL@sfasu.edu
Faculty Directory

Human Services Building
Suite 302

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13019, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962