Speech-Language Pathology (M.A.)

Western Michigan University's Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology is a two-year professional graduate degree. We have designed this full-time residential program to prepare you with the knowledge, judgment and problem solving skills necessary to provide high quality services and leadership in speech-language pathology. Our goal is to enable you to work effectively in an ever-changing world.

As part of the degree program, you must successfully complete all academic and clinical practicum requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Why WMU?

  • Our interprofessional Charles Van Riper Language, Speech & Hearing Clinic is right next door in the WMU Unified Clinics.

  • We are committed to equity and anti-racism as evidenced through our holistic admissions process, the exposure we offer to a diverse range of communication modalities (e.g., ASL), and in our faculty research interests.

  • We offer many faculty-mentored clinical and research opportunities for our graduate and undergraduate students.

  • We are housed in the beautiful College of Health & Human Services building, equipped with state-of-the-art classroom and research laboratories.

Academic Information

  • Sample Course Sequence
    Fall Year One:
    SLHS 4590: Neuro of CSD – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 5530: Stuttering – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 5970: Adv Clinical Methods – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6480: Culturally Responsive Practices – 2 credit hours
    SLHS 6700: Clinical Practicum – 3 credit hours
     
    Spring Year One:
    SLHS 4560: Rehab AuD – 3 credit hours*
    SLHS 5010: Speech Science 3 credit hours*
    SLHS 5370: Speech Sound Dis – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 5380: Child Lang Imp – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 5970: Acq Neurogenic Comm Dis – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6700: Clinical Practicum – 3 credit hours
     
    Summer I Year One:
    SLHS 6150: Research Methods – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6560: Dysphagia – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6700: Clinical Practicum – 2 credit hours
    Summer II Year One:
    SLHS 5970: Autism – two credit hours
    SLHS 6690: Ethics, Counseling & Pro – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6700: Clinical Practicum – 2 credit hours
     
    Fall Year Two:
    SLHS 6400: Voice – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6440: Motor Speech Dis – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 6450: AAC – 3 credit hours
    SLHS 7120: Prof Field Experience – 4 credit hours
     
    Spring Year Two:
    SLHS 7120: Prof Field Experience – 4 credit hours
    *Courses that most students take as an undergraduate and do not need to repeat. However, students who have not taken these courses will need to enroll. 

Funding

  • All applicants are automatically considered for available graduate assistantships.
  • Once enrolled, you'll be invited to apply for departmental scholarships.
  • On average, about 20% of our incoming students receive some type of funding.
  • You may be eligible for other forms of financial aid.. Visit wmich.edu/finaid for more information.

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences (or equivalent core course work). If you need to complete core coursework, consider our Undergraduate Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences.

  • We recommend (and ASHA requires for certification) at least one college-level course in each of the following areas: biological sciences, physical sciences, social or behavioral sciences, and statistics.

  • Three letters of recommendation. Select individuals who can comment on your academic and clinical potential.

  • We'll ask you to answer two open-ended (essay) questions related to career goals and your ability to contribute to cultural-linguistic equity.

  • TOELF scores (if applicable to document English proficiency)

You must apply through CSDCAS by the annual January 15 deadline. It can sometimes take CSDCAS up to two weeks to verify application materials, so you should submit materials at least two weeks before January 15. There is a $50 supplemental fee to process your application at WMU.

We go through an extensive decision process, so it may take several weeks before you hear a response. Usually we let applicants know by mid-March.

Minimal requirements for our clinics

 Evidence-based practices, your personal health and wellbeing, and the safety of the public are fundamental to our professional discipline and mission. The Charles Van Riper Language, Speech & Hearing Clinic has minimal work requirements before you'll provide face-to-face clinical services. These requirements include (but are not limited to) vaccinations recommended by the Center for Disease Control for all healthcare workers.

Program goals

  • Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology Program Goals
    1. Graduate an average of 30 MA-SLP students or more over five years who meet or exceed professional standards.
    2. Graduate MA-SLP students will be prepared for SLP service provision across a variety of settings throughout the state of Michigan and beyond. 
    3. Graduate MA-SLP students with strong intraprofessional expertise in audiology
    4. Graduates will demonstrate professional competencies related to ethical conduct, collaboration, and cultural linguistic responsivity. 
    5. Graduates will develop self-advocacy skills and understanding of accountability processes.
    6. Graduate MA-SLP students who integrate all three components of evidence-based practice into clinical practice.