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
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.