The Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology Program’s mission is to prepare compassionate students to be effective clinicians who are reflective, responsive, collaborative, and committed to being lifelong learners and critical consumers of evidence.

The Speech-Language Pathology Program provides academic, research, and clinical experiences that culminate in the Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology degree. The program of study spans seven quarters of study, with degree completion targeted for 21 months. A 24-month Leveling Track option is available for students without a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In the Traditional Track, five quarters of didactic coursework are followed by two quarters of advanced practicum experiences. All students complete a master’s thesis or an evidence-based capstone project. Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology Program graduates are prepared for positions as speech-language pathologists in healthcare and educational settings.

• Students complete one quarter of didactic coursework in the Fall Quarter; in subsequent quarters, they continue with didactic curriculum while also engaging in four quarters of practica at the Speech-Language Institute – the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Program’s on-campus, University clinic.
• In their last two quarters, students engage in two full-time advanced practica (internships) of up to twelve weeks' duration in cities of choice across the country, or in one of many rotations within the greater Phoenix area (e.g., hospital settings such as Mayo Clinic, Barrow Neurological Institute, Banner Health; private practice settings offering interprofessional practice opportunities; and placements within Arizona's highest-ranking schools).
• Program duration is 21 months from start to finish.

NEW: The SLP Program now offers a Leveling Track option for students with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than Communication Sciences and Disorders and/or for those who lack SLP-specific prerequisite coursework.

• Leveling Track students begin one quarter early (Summer) online to complete the following SLP-specific prerequisite courses: Anatomy and Physiology of Communication Mechanisms, Phonetics, Speech and Language Development, and Speech and Hearing Science – at no additional cost.
• Leveling Track students continue coursework in the Fall Quarter all on-campus following the traditional track curriculum.
• Program duration is 24 months for Leveling Track students.

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Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program seeks to:

1. Foster a humanistic learning environment for students;
2. Foster a holistic and compassionate approach to patient care;
3. Prepare students to be effective clinicians who are reflective, responsive, collaborative and committed to being lifelong learners and critical consumers of evidence;
4. Graduate competent speech-language pathologists who possess the levels of clinical judgment, understanding, empathy, technical skills, and independence to begin professional practice;
5. Promote research and scholarly activity among the faculty and students;
6. Maintain a robust clinical practice in the Midwestern University Speech-Language Institute that provides a broad range of evidence-based and interprofessional practice experiences for speech-language pathology students;
7. Contribute to the overall growth and academic excellence of Midwestern University by supporting its Mission and Vision.

Mission

The Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology Program's mission is to prepare compassionate students to be effective clinicians who are reflective, responsive, collaborative, and committed to being lifelong learners and critical consumers of evidence. 

Vision

The Midwestern University Speech-Language Pathology program works collaboratively in a health-oriented university to integrate academic teaching and diverse clinical experiences to develop effective clinicians through:

• Interprofessional practice
• Innovative technology experiences
• Clinical simulation opportunities
• Culturally and linguistically diverse clinical experiences
• Scholarly activity
• Individualized, intentional mentorship
• Comprehensive and dynamic instruction
• Clinical, academic, and community partnership

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413. Speech-Language Pathology programs are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) {residential} at Midwestern University (MWU) is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Speech-language pathologist continues to be one of the top rated professions in the United States based upon growth of the profession, available jobs, and starting salaries. U.S. News and World Report (20161) has consistently ranked this profession as one of the most desirable social service jobs in America. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics (20152) predicts that the number of speech-language pathologists will grow by 21 percent over the next 10 years. That translates to approximately 29,000 new therapist positions by 2024.

1 U.S. News and World Report | http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/speech-language pathologist| Retrieved 3-25-2019

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, PSB Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001| Telephone: 1-202-691-5700 | http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm | Retrieved 3-25-2019

The SLP Program offers incoming students the opportunity to matriculate into two different tracks: Traditional Track and Leveling Track. The Leveling Track is for students with baccalaureate degrees in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders and/or for those who lack the starred SLP specific prerequisite coursework included below. Admission requirements for each track are detailed below.

Traditional Track
To apply for admission to the College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program Traditional Track, individuals must submit documentation of the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in Communication Sciences and Disorders, inclusive of the courses listed below, or
2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution in an area other than Communication Sciences and Disorders with completion of prerequisite coursework in the following areas:
   • Anatomy and Physiology of Communication Mechanisms*
   • Phonetics*
   • Speech-Language Development*
   • Speech and/or Hearing Science*
   • Statistics
   • Biological Sciences
   • Physical Sciences (physics or chemistry)
   • Social Sciences
3. Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and minimum major grade point average (MGPA; all speech-language pathology coursework) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses; grades of C- are not acceptable for the prerequisite courses listed above.
4. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
5. (optional) Scores on the general and writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be submitted using the Midwestern University institution code of 4160. Submission of GRE scores is not required for admission.
   
   • For more information about the GRE contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866-473-4373 or visit www.ets.org/gre
6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the applicant.
7. A completed CSDCAS application.
8. An interview with faculty (invitation only).
9. During the on-campus interview day, write an essay given a clinical writing prompt (for interview candidates only).
10. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
11. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

Leveling Track
Individuals who do not meet the minimum prerequisite coursework requirements for the Traditional Track may apply for admission to the College of Health Sciences Speech-Language Pathology Program Leveling Track. To select this track, individuals must designate this option during the application process, and submit documentation of the following minimum requirements before the academic year commences for the incoming class:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution with completion of prerequisite coursework in the following areas:
   • Statistics
   • Biological Sciences
   • Physical Sciences (physics or chemistry)
   • Social Sciences
2. Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grades of C or better for prerequisite courses; grades of C- are not acceptable for the prerequisite courses listed above.
3. Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
4. (optional) Scores on the general and writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be submitted using the Midwestern University institution code of 4160. Submission of GRE scores is not required for admission.
   
   • For more information about the GRE contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866-473-4373 or visit www.ets.org/gre
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on academic, clinical, and professional experiences of the applicant.
6. A completed CSDCAS application.
7. An interview with faculty (invitation only).
8. During the on-campus interview day, write an essay given a clinical writing prompt (for interview candidates only).
9. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
10. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

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