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Graduate Studies

Speech Pathology
2024-2025

Admission | Courses | Program | Requirements | Profile

Chairperson:Ìý Amanda Silberer
Graduate Committee Chairperson: Julie Cox
Office: Memorial Hall 230A
Telephone: (309) 298-1955 Fax: (309) 298-2049
E-mail: spa @wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/spa
Location of Program Offering: Macomb

Graduate Faculty

Associate Professor

  • Amanda B. Silberer, Ph.D., Au.D., CCC-A, University of Iowa

Assistant Professor

  • Julie L. Cox, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Michigan University

Associate Graduate Faculty

Assistant Professor

  • Angi Martin, Ed.D., Illinois State University

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

ÌýProgram Description

The Master of Science in Speech Pathology degree program at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

At the completion of the program, graduates will have completed the necessary coursework and clinical practicum experiences to be eligible for the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech–Language Pathology (CCC–SLP). Graduates are also eligible for Illinois state licensure in speech–language pathology. Students who wish to earn licensure to work in the public schools in Illinois must complete all teacher licensure requirements established by the state of Illinois and ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Illinois University. There are additional clinical practicum experiences and a standardized examination requirement for certification and licensure.

ÌýAdmission Requirements

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 OR 3.25 or higher GPA for the last two years (60 s.h.) of undergraduate work

  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic and clinical potential at the graduate level

  • A personal statement describing the applicant’s interest in a career in speech-language pathology and why the applicant is interested in attending WIU

  • A completed application via CSDCAS in addition to submission of an application to the WIU School of Graduate Studies

  • Applicants who pass the first round of admission review will be invited for interviews with the graduate committee

Application deadline of January 15 for fall matriculation.

Students are expected to have a background in speech pathology and audiology including undergraduate coursework in the following areas: speech and hearing anatomy, phonetics, speech and language development, audiometry, and introductory courses in characteristics, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders. Undergraduate coursework is also required in biology, physical sciences, statistics, and social sciences. Students who are deficient in any of these areas will be required to take undergraduate courses to make up these deficiencies to meet prerequisite knowledge for graduate classes and to meet requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Students admitted probationally are required to complete at least 12 semester hours of graduate coursework with a B or better before becoming eligible for regular admission.

ÌýDegree Requirements

The Master of Science in Speech Pathology degree program requires a minimum of 71 hours. Students receiving 7 or more hours of C grades or lower will be removed from the program.

I. Core Courses: 39 s.h.

SPA 501 Introduction to Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
SPA 503 Seminar in Professional Affairs (2)
SPA 510 Motor Speech Disorders (3)
SPA 514 Assessment and Treatment of Child Language Disorders (3)
SPA 515 Autism and Special Populations (3)
SPA 521 Methods in Public Schools (3)
SPA 523 Neurological Disorders I: Aphasia (3)
SPA 524 Neurological Disorders II: Cognitive and Degenerative Disorders (3)
SPA 525 Dysphagia: Assessment and Intervention (3)
SPA 535 Voice Disorders (3)
SPA 547 Fluency and Fluency Disorders (2)
SPA 548 Articulation and Phonological Disorders (3)
SPA 549 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
SPA 550 Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist (2)
SPA 604 Graduate Portfolio (0)

II. Core Clinical Courses: 16 s.h.

SPA 587 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Evaluation (4)
SPA 588 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (9)
SPA 590 Speech-Language Group Practicum (3)

III. Select one of the following internship options:

A. Internship:Ìý 16 s.h.

SPA 600 Internship in Communication Disorders (16)

B. Public School Internship: 16 s.h.

SPA 522 Internship in the Public School (8)
SPA 600 Internship in Communication Disorders (8)

TOTAL PROGRAM: 71 s.h.

In addition to the coursework above, all students must complete all clinical clock hours required for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) before the master's degree will be awarded.

ÌýCourse Descriptions

Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA)

481G Evaluation Procedures in Speech-Language Pathology. (3) Consideration of the general role of evaluation in speech and language therapy with intensive study of diagnostic tests and procedures used to assess communication disorders. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280; SPA 390, or permission of the instructor.

494G Aural Rehabilitation I. (3) Focus on changing modes of communication in the pediatric deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) population. Topics include communication with ASL, total communication, listening and spoken language, provision of holistic therapy, and management of amplification devices for facilitating optimal communication. Prerequisite: ENG 180 and 280, or permission of the instructor.

501 Introduction to Research Methods in Communication Sciences and Disorders. (3) Explores clinician’s role as researcher and need for science to inform our clinical practice. Students read and critically analyze existing research within the communication sciences and disorders, and review common research designs and data analysis techniques. Students are required to complete a formal project.

503 Seminar in Professional Affairs. (2) The study of current problems, issues and legislation in the communication disorders profession. Discussions will be organized to accommodate both student and instructor interests and concerns. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA.

510 Motor Speech Disorders. (3) Study of assessment and intervention methods for apraxia of speech and the dysarthrias across the lifespan. Includes study of the etiology and characteristics of motor speech disorders as well as relevant anatomical, physiological, developmental, cultural, and psychological correlates. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

514 Assessment and Treatment of Child Language Disorders. (3) Study of assessment and intervention methods for child language disorders. Principles of evidence based practice will be emphasized. Issues related to English language learners and literacy will be discussed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

515 Autism and Special Populations. (3) The study of assessment and intervention methods for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special populations including cognitive impairments, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, emotional/behavioral disorders, low incidence populations and multiply disabled children. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA of permission of the instructor.

521 Methods in Public Schools. (3) The study of general program considerations for the speech-language pathologist in the public school setting including case management and state and federal legislation.

522 Internship in the Public School. (8, repeatable to 16) Supervised clinical practice in speech–language and/or hearing in the public school setting. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: SPA 521, completion of required SPA coursework, no more than one C grade in SPA 587/588, and approval of faculty.

523 Neurological Disorders I: Aphasia. (3) Assessment and management of fluent, nonfluent, mixed, and global aphasia, with emphasis on the nature and cause of acquired language disorders in adults, including right hemisphere disorder. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

524 Neurological Disorders II: Cognitive and Degenerative Disorders. (3) Identification, classification, and treatment of degenerative disorders and cognitive/memory disorders that affect speech and language, with emphasis on intervention across the continuum of care. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

525 Dysphagia: Assessment and Intervention. (3) The study of swallowing and deglutition across the age span, with concentration on the methods of assessment and intervention in disorders of swallowing. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

535 Voice Disorders. (3) Voice production, including vocal development and life–span changes. Pathophysiology of voice disorders, their assessment, management and treatment. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

547 Fluency and Fluency Disorders. (2) Theory, research and clinical applications in fluency disorders. Emphasis on assessment and treatment of behavioral, affective, and cognitive features of developmental stuttering across the lifespan. Consideration of cluttering, neurogenic stuttering, psychogenic stuttering. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

548 Articulation and Phonological Disorders. (3) The study of assessment and intervention methods for children with articulation and phonological disorders. Includes study of etiology and characteristics as well as relevant anatomical, physiological, developmental, linguistic, cultural, and psychological correlates. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

549 Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (3) Study of the various alternative and augmentative communication techniques and assistive technologies including the assessment and intervention strategies utilized to implement them. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

550 Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist. (2) Study of selected auditory disorders, screening procedures, and habilitation/rehabilitation approaches from a speech-language pathology perspective based upon current scope of practice and research. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

587 Clinical Practicum in Speech Language Evaluation. (1, repeatable to 4) Supervised practicum in speech-language evaluation procedures in the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.

588 Clinical Practicum in Speech Language Pathology. (1–6, repeatable to 12) Supervised clinical experience in on–campus and off–campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having speech and language disorders. A minimum of 15 contact clock hours must be obtained for each credit hour. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

590 Speech-Language Group Practicum. (3-4) Supervised clinical experience working with children receiving speech, language, and pragmatic disorders in organized group settings. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

599 Graduate Clinical Practicum in Audiology. (1–3, repeatable to 8) Supervised clinical experience in on–campus and/or off–campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having hearing impairments. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

600 Internship in Communication Disorders. (8, repeatable to 16) Supervised applied experience in an occupationally related area in line with the students' career objectives and approved by faculty. A minimum of eight weeks will be required for this experience. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: Completion of required SPA coursework, no more than one C grade in SPA 587/588, and approval of faculty.

601 Thesis. (3)

604 Graduate Portfolio. (0, repeatable to 5) Students will use our electronic tracking system to submit progress of academic and clinical standards each semester for meeting requirements for Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the graduate advisor.