Master of Arts in Speech - Language Pathology

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in speech-language pathology is a two-year post-baccalaureate program consisting of four semester of didactic coursework (including one summer) and clinical practicum which is at a minimum two semesters of external, full-time clinical placements. The program is typically completed in 6 semesters for full-time students. It may take some students up to 8 semesters depending on courses completed prior to graduate enrollment, part-time enrollment is possible and will be planned on a case-by-case basis.
The graduate program in speech-language pathology (SLP) provides broad-based academic, clinical and research experience to prepare you as a speech pathologist. You may work in many different research, education and health care settings such as public hospitals, rehabilitation centers, community and mental health services, schools, kindergartens and specialist organizations.

Learn to treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. The two-year, post baccalaureate program consists of coursework and on-site clinical practica, followed by two semesters of full-time, external internship placements.

In order to complete your Graduate School application to the University of South Dakota, you must submit a $35 application fee, in addition to the CSDCAS fee. The USD Graduate Application Fee cannot be waived or deferred and it is nonrefundable. The fee can be paid on the USD payment site website.
Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels (in English or with translation). Transcripts must be complete (e.g., if currently enrolled, work-in-progress coursework must be included, foreign transcripts must include a grading scale, and for countries that issue, copy of degree certificate/diploma. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an institution with institutional accreditation for that degree. A minimum cumulative undergraduate and major GPA of 3.0 or better based on 4.0 scale and/or graduate cummulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Post-baccalaureate education will also be considered. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institutionallyaccredited American college or university or an accredited institution approved list of English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score.For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT), 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), 8.5 on the TOEFL Essentials, 6.0 on the IELTS Academic, 53 on the PTE, or 110 on Duolingo is required for graduate admission.
Speech-Language Pathology: A degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or the completion of core foundational coursework* in communication disorders after completing and receiving an undergraduate degree in another discipline is required.
Personal essay. In 500 words or less, please describe what distinguishes you from other qualified applicants. Include how your experiences have shaped you and share your long-range goals.