M.S. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: The student must complete a minimum of 33 hours of academic study and 14 hours of practicum.  Twenty-four of the total forty-seven (47) hours must be at the 6000 level.  A maximum of 17 to 18 credit hours may be transferred from another CAA approved graduate program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Advisor.  Verification of any transfer work (official transcript) must be submitted by the student and is placed in the academic advising file.

 Undergraduate deficiencies will be identified and a deficiency plan developed when indicated, upon review of a student’s transcript and in conference with the student and his/her academic advisor.  Students who believe they have completed a course at the undergraduate level similar in content to one of the required graduate courses, must meet with the graduate advisor to review the course content.  If it is approved, the student must enroll in an additional graduate course.  Completion of the academic and clinical requirements for the Master of Science degree necessitates five or six consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment. 

 Academic Requirements       

Course descriptions are listed in the current Graduate Bulletin.

 Required Coursework   (30 credit hours)                
6302 Research Fundamentals in Speech Pathology
6311 Aural Rehabilitation    
6314 Adult Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
6317 Augmentative/Alternative Communication
6345 Language Intervention: School Age 
6360 Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology
6216 Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Incompetence
6225 Voice Disorders   
6227 Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
6240 Neurogenics I
6241 Neurogenics II
6243 Neurogenics III
                                  

 Electives    (One elective required)
5220 Diagnosis and Planning
5307 Advanced Sign Language
5310 Assistive Technology
6220 Fluency Disorders
6310 Phonological Acquisitions and Disorders
6336 Thesis
6306 Advanced Independent Study & Readings in Speech Pathology
6330 Transdisciplinary and Collaborative Practices
6354 Transdisciplinary Intervention with Young Children

 Students who choose to complete an independent study or thesis take 33 hours of required academic coursework including Advanced Independent Study & Readings in Speech Pathology 6306 or Thesis 6336.  Other students take 30 hours of required academic coursework, must choose at least one elective (2 or 3 semester credit hours) and take Clinical Seminar V: Externship.

 Clinical Practicum (14 credit hours)
During four semesters students enroll in two semester credit hours (per semester) of Advanced Clinical Practicum I (6280).  During the fourth or fifth semester, students enroll in six semester credit hours of Advanced Clinical Practicum II (6611), which is their externship placement.  A total of 400 clinical practicum hours must be accrued with a minimum of 325 at the graduate level.

 The Speech-Language Hearing Clinic is housed within the department.  The clinic serves approximately 50-60 clients per semester. Additionally, students enjoy a variety of clinical experiences in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, public schools, and early intervention programs throughout Arkansas and in neighboring states.

 Comprehensive Requirement
Students completing clinical research or an independent study will be required to complete the comprehensive examination.

 M.S. Thesis Option
Selection of a thesis topic is the responsibility of the student.  The department chair will approve a major research faculty advisor.  All members of the thesis committee must be approved and appointed by the department chair.  The thesis committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members who hold graduate faculty status: the major professor, a second faculty member within the department,  and a third member from outside the department.

 The Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide  is published by the Graduate School.   After the thesis has been read and approved and before the student is recommended to the Graduate Dean for graduation, the thesis committee will meet with the student for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis.  A majority of the student’s committee must approve the thesis and its defense.  If approval is denied, the student will not be recommended for graduation.  In this event, the student may be reexamined at a later period, no sooner than three months after the initial examination.                

 Independent Study Option
Students who choose to complete an independent study take Research (SPTH 6302) and Advanced Independent Study & Readings in Speech Pathology 6306.

 The end product of Independent Studies will be a completed experimental study or project, the results of which you will present in one or more of a variety of formats.  Students are encouraged to submit proposals for presentation at the CHAS Research Colloquium, the ArkSHA Convention, or the ASHA Convention.  The actual topic of your study will begin in your Research course, so that this research project may span two to four semesters.  Once you have identified a topic, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will meet with you on a regular basis until the end of your study (completion of requirements for Independent Studies).

Clinical Research Option
Students who choose the clinical research option take 30 hours of required academic coursework,  one elective (2 or 3 semester credit hours) and 6105 Clinical Seminar V: Externship. In this class you will research a clinical case, typically one you are working with during that semester.  Your job will be to "research the evidence" available in order to develop an assessment/treatment plan for your assigned case. It is expected that you be able to document the efficacy and effectiveness of your recommendations for your assigned case. This project requires that you submit a written document and make an oral presentation.