UVM’s fully online 19 credit Speech-Language Pathology Pre-Master’s Track Certificate Program (SLP Pre-Master’s Track) is designed for students interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology, but do not have the required undergraduate coursework to matriculate.
The SLP Pre-Master’s Track consists of six online prerequisite courses necessary for admission to the UVM Master of Science (MS) in Communication Sciences and Disorders and to many other similar graduate programs.
You can find information regarding SLP licensure on ASHA’s website here.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) non-CSD prerequisites, if not already completed, are recommended to be taken prior to enrolling in the UVM master’s program. These courses are required prior to enrolling in most universities’ graduate programs in SLP and include Biology, Physical Science, and Social Science. Read more about these prerequisites.
Requirements to Complete the Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Track Course Sequence
- Students typically complete the program in three semesters by taking two online courses each term. You may have no more than two prerequisite courses remaining for the spring and summer semesters when you apply for the UVM Master’s program.
- Admitted certificate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or above to remain in the program.
- In addition, most graduate programs require that the applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of the biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and the social/behavioral sciences. Applicants to UVM’s Master’s program must also have 25 observation hours with an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech language pathologist prior to the graduate program start date.
Required Courses for SLP Pre-Master’s Track
- CSD 1220: Introduction to Phonetics
- CSD 1230: Linguistics for Clinicians
- CSD 1940: Development of Spoken Language
- CSD 2010: Speech and Hearing Science
- CSD 3810: Cognitive Neuroscience
- STAT 1110: Elements of Statistics
SLP Pre-Master’s Track Sequence of Online Course Work
The following is a breakdown of when the six SLP Pre-Master’s Track courses are offered. You may start the program in either spring or fall term.
Spring
- CSD 1220: Intro to Phonetics (3 credits)
- CSD 2010: Speech and Hearing Science (4 credits)
Summer
- CSD 3810: Cognitive Neuroscience (3 credits)
- STAT 1110: Elements of Statistics (3 credits)
Fall
- CSD 1230: Linguistics for Clinicians (equals LING 080: Intro to Linguistics offered in summer) (3 credits)
- CSD 1940: Development of Spoken Language (3 credits)
Course Descriptions
Courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.
CSD 1220: Introduction to Phonetics
Linguistic, acoustic, and articulatory phonetics applied to the description of speech. Stresses use of the International Phonetic Alphabet with English, foreign languages, and disordered speech.
CSD 1230: Linguistics for Clinicians
Linguistic concepts, applications to clinical contexts. Topics include language components, language processing in the brain, individual differences and disorders, dialects, normal and disordered language acquisition.
CSD 1940: Development of Spoken Language
Speech and language acquisition interpreted in light of current learning and cognitive theory, linguistic theory, and methods of linguistic analysis.
CSD 2010: Speech & Hearing Science Structure and function of the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, and hearing systems, coupled with models of speech and hearing as part of human communication. 4 credits.
CSD 3810: Cognitive Neuroscience
The structure and organization of the human central nervous system as related to higher cognitive and linguistic behaviors. Prerequisite: For Communication Sciences & Disorders majors, a college level Human Biology course such as BIOL 004 or ANPS 019. For other majors, any college level Biology course.
STAT 1110: Elements of Statistics
Basic statistical concepts, methods, and applications, including correlation, regression, confidence intervals and hypothesis tests.
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