GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

The Master of Science degree program in speech-language pathology at the University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20352, 800-498-2071 or 301-897-5700. Graduates from the program earn a Master of Science Degree and meet academic and clinical practicum standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology granted by ASHA and the Speech Pathology License issued by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Graduates also meet the requirements for Speech-Language Pathology certification from the Arkansas State Department of Education.

Thirteen Speech-Language Pathology faculty members hold Certificates of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology, and 2 also hold CCC's in Audiology. All faculty members are licensed by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Although most are engaged in teaching as a major responsibility, several have written or contributed to textbooks and journals in stuttering, language, dysphagia, clinical supervision, audiology and phonology. All are active in professional affairs.

Admission 

Admission to the M.S. Program in Speech-Language Pathology is competitive, selective, and limited. Selection is based on academic and personal qualifications of the applicant and is granted without regard to race, color, creed, or national origin. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in oral communication prior to admission to practicum courses. The minimum entry criteria are:

A. Overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 (with priority given to students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement).

B. Graduate grade point average of 3.0 on any hours taken.  Credit hours may be transferred from another graduate program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Advisor.

C. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (General Test).

Retention
Once admitted, a student's progress in the Speech-Language Pathology program is reviewed routinely.  
To remain in good standing the student must:

A. Maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0
A student whose cumulative grade-point average is less than 3.0 is on academic probation.  In the next semester of attendance, the student must achieve a cumulative 3.0 or at least show meaningful improvement towards a 3.00 GPA. If the cumulative 3.00 is not met or meaningful improvement shown, the student is ineligible to continue graduate studies at UCA.

A GPA of 3.00 or above is required for graduation. Up to six hours beyond the degree requirements can be used to meet this GPA, but all such hours must be approved by the student's advisor.

B. Observe the fundamental rules of ethical conduct as described in the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

C. Maintain satisfactory non-academic criteria that are important to function as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Consequently you are required to meet the following criteria: 

1. Oral communication abilities adequate to function as a speech-language pathologist. The program adheres to ASHA's position statement, " Students and Professionals Who Speak English with Accents and Nonstandard Dialects."

2. Auditory ability adequate for assessing speech-language problems and providing treatment 

3. Interpersonal behaviors that reflect professional standards. Assessment of non-academic requirements involves the professional judgments of faculty and administrators. It is crucial that client and patient rights to appropriate speech and language services be protected. It is the University's responsibility to protect both students and the clients they serve. The UCA Speech-Language Pathology faculty deals with these issues through regular reviews of student progress during faculty meetings. Potential problems are raised as soon as possible with the student, remediation procedures are suggested, and the student is given time to respond. On rare occasions, it is necessary to counsel students out of the program for non-academic reasons. Before arriving at such a decision, there is extensive discussion, clear feedback to the student regarding the problems, and agreement among faculty as to the course of action. The intention of this policy is to give students a fair opportunity to succeed.

Admission Procedure for M.S. Program

Admission to the M.S. Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Central Arkansas is a two step process. A prospective student must first be admitted with full standing to the UCA Graduate School and then must be admitted to the Master of Science Degree Program in Speech-Language Pathology. A student may be in the process of completing both steps simultaneously.

Deadline for submitting applications for admission is January 15.

STEP ONE
Secure an application for admission to Graduate School from University of Central Arkansas, Graduate Office, 201 Donaghey Avenue, Conway, Arkansas 72035-0001. Telephone: (501) 450-3124.

Return to the same office:
1. Completed application to the Graduate School

2. Official transcripts of all course work attempted (both undergraduate and graduate) from ALL schools

3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

4. Graduate assistantship application (if desired)

5. Application fee of $25.00 (all students)

STEP TWO
Complete the Speech-Language Pathology Department Application and departmental financial aid application and send to Sharon Ross, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, UCA Box 4985, 201 Donaghey Avenue, Conway, Arkansas 72035-0001. Telephone: (501) 450-3176. (Deadline-January 15) 

1. Completed departmental application    Click here for application materials.

2. Submit recommendation form from department chair in sealed envelope.

3. Narrative (approximately 500 words) of your professional plans (career and/or further graduate studies)

4. Completed departmental financial aid application (if desired)

5. Departmental application fee of $25.00 payable to the University of Central Arkansas (Currently enrolled full-time University of Central Arkansas students are exempt from the application fee.)

It is the applicant's responsibility to check that completed materials (i.e., application transcripts, GRE scores, etc.) have been received by the respective Graduate and Departmental offices.

Appeals Process

Applicants who feel they were treated differently from other candidates in admissions decisions are to contact the department chair for information about the appeals process.  All appeals begin at the departmental level.

Advisement

Upon notification of acceptance to the graduate program and prior to initial registration, each student must consult with Sharon Ross, Graduate Advisor.  This will help ensure the development of an educational program that will meet the requirements for the following: a) graduation, b) ASHA Certification, c) Arkansas State License, and d) Arkansas Teacher Certification (if desired). Copies of current certification and licensure requirements may be obtained from the Speech-Language Pathology office. Students are urged to become familiar with these requirements.  University policy is that students have sole responsibility for being familiar with and complying with graduation requirements.

For additional information about the graduate program, consult the current graduate catalog and/or Mrs. Sharon Ross, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, UCA Box 4985, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 72035-0001, (501) 450-3176.