Speech-Language Pathology: Thesis Track, MS

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

At the time of application, individuals should have completed or be in the process of completing the baccalaureate degree at accredited institutions. The baccalaureate degree must be completed before commencing work at Rush University. Students entering the program must have successfully completed coursework in introduction to audiology, phonetics, normal speech and language development, speech and hearing science, speech and hearing anatomy and physiology and statistics. In addition, entering students must have transcript credit for at least one course in each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences (physics and chemistry) and social/behavioral sciences. Applicants should check the program Web page for additional information about prerequisites.

Admission is granted for the fall quarter of each year. The application file includes a completed application with essay, application fee, three letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s academic background, official transcripts from all universities attended and official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a college degree from a U.S. institution must submit official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The generally applied minimum standards for acceptance into the program are a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) overall (on a 4.0 scale) and a 3.5 in major courses in speech-language pathology or a 3.5 in the prerequisite course content as listed in the application. Scores on the GRE (Verbal and Quantitative) should be at the 50th percentile or higher. The Admissions Committee in the department reviews all applications and makes all admissions decisions.

Technical Standards for the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Programs

Graduates of speech-language pathology and audiology programs must possess the essential knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care safely and effectively. Rush University has specified the following nonacademic criteria (“technical standards”) that applicants and enrolled students must meet to participate in the education program and the practice of speechlanguage pathology and audiology.

Academic Progression

Academic probation is assigned to a student who earns a quarterly academic grade point average (GPA) between 2.5 and 2.99 (A = 4.0), and/or whose cumulative academic GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.99 at any time. A remediation plan to address probation will be determined by the student and the student’s academic advisor and documented. A student must earn a quarterly and cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater at the end of the quarter during which the student is on academic probation or be placed again on academic probation. A student who incurs academic probation for the third time will be dismissed from the program, even if the cumulative academic GPA is 3.0 or greater.

A student who earns a grade of “D” or less in a required course must repeat that course or an approved equivalent. In a repeated course, the new grade will replace the earlier grade in the cumulative academic GPA. Failure to receive a grade of “C” or better in a repeated course will result in dismissal from the program. A student who earns a grade of “D” or less in two or more required courses, regardless of the grade earned in a repeated course and regardless of the cumulative academic GPA, will be dismissed from the program.

A student who earns a quarterly academic GPA of less than 2.5 at any point during his or her course of study will be dismissed from the program.

A student who fails to meet the stated criteria for the comprehensive examination will be dismissed from the program.

A cumulative academic GPA of 3.0 or greater is required for graduation.

Clinical Progression

Clinical probation is assigned to a student who earns a grade of “C” or less in a clinical practicum, internship, or externship. Although the clinical contact hours may be used to meet CFCC (ASHA) certification requirements, the student is required to repeat the clinical education course before progressing further in the clinical sequence. A remediation plan to address clinical probation will be determined by the student, the student’s academic advisor, and the clinical education manager and will be documented. Failure to achieve a grade of “B” or higher in any subsequent clinical education course will result in dismissal from the program.

The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose conduct or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the program.

Interrupted Program

Any student who wishes or needs to interrupt their program must fulfill the following requirements:

Meet with his/her academic advisor and the Program Director to work out a plan of action before leaving the program.

Complete all degree requirements within four years (master’s program) and eight years (doctoral program) of the beginning of the first quarter in which the full-time student is enrolled in the department.

Follow all appropriate leave of absence/withdrawal procedures and policies as defined by Rush University.

Academic Appeal and Grievance

See the CDS Student Manual for the policy on academic appeal and grievance and for other policies. The department follows procedures outlined in the College of Health Sciences Student Academic Appeal and Grievance Procedures. Students who wish to file a complaint related to compliance with an accreditation standard may contact the Council on Academic Accreditation at: Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Blvd, #310, Rockville, MD 20850 (800-498- 2071 or 301-296-5700).

Thesis

The faculty’s commitment to research and the belief that an appreciation of scientific endeavors is critical to the clinical process provide the basis for an optional thesis. Many students in graduate school choose to do a thesis, thereby gaining valuable research experience. A thesis project is databased and may be an original or replication study. Often students present the results of their research at a professional meeting or publish results in a professional journal. The thesis project is optional in the speech-language pathology curriculum, and students are encouraged to consider choosing this option. Audiology students have the opportunity to complete a thesis in lieu of the Investigative Project. The complete thesis policy is found in the Student Manual for the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences.

Investigative Project

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Audiology program complete the Investigative Project during the third year of the curriculum. The objectives of the Investigative Project are to synthesize a body of literature related to a specific topic in audiology, to cultivate professional writing skills, to acquire didactic skills for dissemination of professional information and to develop organizational and verbal tools needed for professional presentations. Ordinarily, the investigative project includes three options: 1) Evidence-based Practice Systematic Review; 2) Experimental Project; or 3) Professional/Clinical Project . A complete description of the Investigative Project is found in the Student Manual for the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences. Students are expected to submit the completed project for presentation at a state or national professional meeting or for publication.

Thesis Track

Thesis students may de-select up to 8 credit hours of select coursework, shown in italics below. De-selected courses may be audited; audited courses will appear on the student’s transcript. The selection of the courses to remove from a student’s program of study is done with the approval of the student’s advisor, taking into account the individual’s undergraduate background and graduate needs and experiences.

Enrollment in practicum may be reduced in the winter and spring terms of the second year. These practicum experiences will be scheduled either on campus or at select external sites to facilitate completion of the thesis. The decision to reduce time in practicum for one or both quarters is made in consultation with a student’s advisor and the clinical education manager. Students who reduce their practicum hours must be in frequent contact with the clinical education manager throughout their academic programs to monitor that the requisite contact hours needed for graduation are being attained.

Students who do not obtain the needed contact hours will register for additional credit during the following summer quarter so that this graduation requirement will be met. Thesis students who have completed the requisite clock hours and have achieved the skills outcomes for ASHA certification prior to the completion of their theses may be excused from further practicum or have their practicum hours reduced further at the time these requirements are met.