Program Requirements
Clinical Practicum
Clinical practicum requirements are met through Clinic Practicum 1: Foundation in Assessment and Treatment in Speech Language Pathology, Clinic Practicum 2: Speech Language Pathology in Healthcare, and Clinic Practicum 2: Speech Language Pathology in Education. Community-based clinical settings include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, residential facilities, non-residential facilities, early intervention in naturalistic settings, private practice, and a variety of educational settings.
SLP Summative Assessment Project for Master of Arts (MA) degree
All students in the Master of Arts program are required to successfully complete a Summative Assessment Project. This project assesses students’ ability to think critically, communicate their thoughts in written and oral form, and demonstrate their grasp of the major academic and clinical content provided in their graduate program. Students pursuing the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Speech Language Pathology must satisfactorily complete a one-credit course, typically taken during one of the final three semesters of the program. Requirements for passing the Summative Assessment Project are provided in the course syllabus.
Program Electives
Thesis Option for Master of Science (MS) degree
Students pursuing the Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology must successfully complete a thesis project. Students who complete a master’s thesis are exempt from the Summative Assessment Project. Thesis students will have a committee of at least three University of Pittsburgh faculty members as outlined in the academic handbook. Additional requirements are outlined in the academic handbook, which is distributed to students at the beginning of their academic programs.
Educational Certification: Pennsylvania
Educational certification is valuable for students who are interested in working as a speech-language pathologist with children who have communication disorders in educational settings. Educational certification is required in Pennsylvania for professionals serving as speech-language pathologists in school settings.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Department (CSD) is an approved program provider for two options for educational certification: (a) Instructional 1 Special Education: Speech/Language Impaired PK-12 and (b) Educational Specialist Certificate for School Speech-Language Pathologist PK-12.
All students complete the predefined curriculum of the master’s degree including CSD 2067 Clinic Practicum 2 Speech Language Pathology in Education. For students interested in the Instructional 1 certification, additional courses must be completed. These courses include a 3-credit child or human development course and a 3-credit language development course. Both are typically completed at the undergraduate level. Students must meet current requirements at the time of application for educational certification. This may include completing additional Praxis examinations.
