Students in the clinical M.A. program learn about speech-language pathology in medical and educational settings, as well as speech, language and hearing science.
This degree can be the final qualification needed for a job, or it can prepare students to pursue a doctoral degree later. For students who want to work right after graduation, the M.A. program can include clinical practicum experience.
This program ensures students develop the clinical skills needed for employment. It fulfills requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Illinois state certification to work as a speech-language pathologist in public schools. The Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology officially approves the program. It requires at least 60 hours of graduate-level coursework.
Federal Disclosure for SHS M.A. (Clinical) Programs
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has determined the curricula in our Master of Arts (Clinical) and Master of Arts (Clinical) + Educator License programs meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in Illinois. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification in another state, it’s best to contact that state’s licensing entity. This way, you can get the latest information on their specific requirements before starting our program.
To locate your program by college, please visit the Office of the Provost’s Professional Licensure Public Disclosures page. There, you can access information about your state’s requirements, resources and contact details. To determine your location, please review the University’s professional licensure location policy. Please be aware that there may be licensure or certification requirements in addition to an academic program’s curriculum.
Note: This disclosure is being made in compliance with federal regulation 34 CFR §668.43 and the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements Manual.
Accreditation
The Master of Arts (M.A.) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Curriculum
Prerequisite Courses
To meet the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s requirements for clinical certification, every student must show knowledge in several areas. These include biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics and social/behavioral sciences (ASHA Standard IV-A) 2020 Speech Language Pathology Certification Standards.
Students must also understand the basics of human communication. This includes biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic and cultural aspects (ASHA Standard IV-B). Most of these requirements are usually met at the undergraduate level.
All students seeking clinical certification must complete specific undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois or their equivalents. For those entering with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Science or Communication Sciences and Disorders, the program typically lasts two academic years and two summers.
- SHS 451 Aural Rehabilitation (may be taken at the graduate level for graduate credit)
- SHS 200 Phonetics
- SHS 240 Hearing Science
- SHS 300 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- SHS 301 Speech Science
- SHS 320 Development of Spoken Language
- SHS 450 Audiology
Degree Requirements
For more information about degree requirements, contact the program director or refer to the university catalog.
| Course code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 410 | Stuttering: Theory & Practice | 2 |
| SHS 430 | Development & Disorders of Phonology & Articulation | 3 |
| SHS 431 | Lang Disorders Preschool Children | 3 |
| SHS 470 | Neural Bases Spch Lang | 3 |
| SHS 511 | Assessment & Management of Voice Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 513 | Assessment & Management of Dysphagia | 6 |
| SHS 514 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 533 | Approaches to Language Diagnostics & Clinical Reasoning | 4 |
| SHS 534 | Aphasia and Related Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 535 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 570 | Evidence-Based Practice in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 571 | Culturally Responsive Practices in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 572 | Counseling in Comm Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 574 | Communication in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 575 | School Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 576 | School Intrnshp Spch-Lang Path | |
| SHS 578 | Medical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 579 | Professional/Ethical/Legal Issues AuD/SLP | 3 |
| SHS 591 | Clinical Case Project in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 0 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem in Speech & Hearing Science | 0-1 |
| SHS 599 | Thesis Research (optional) | 8-12 |
| Required Clinical Practica | 8-12 |
Total Hours: 60
Other Requirements
- Number of semesters: 6
- Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: 20 Credit Hours
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
Course Sequence Example for Clinical M.A. Program
General Course Sequence for Students Entering with a B.A./B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science/Communication Sciences and Disorders
Fall 1
| Course Code | Course name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 430 | Development & Disorders of Phonology & Articulation | 3 |
| SHS 431 | Language Disorders in Preschool Children | 3 |
| SHS 470 | Neural Bases Spch Lang (pre-req for Dysphagia) | 3 |
| SHS 473 | Augmentative & Alternative Communication | 3 |
| SHS 477 | Beginning Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| SHS 570 | Evidence-Based Practice in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 0 |
Spring 1
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 477 | Beginning Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| SHS 511 | Assessment & Management of Voice Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 532 | Language Disorders & Literacy in School-Age Children & Youth | 3 |
| SHS 533 | Approaches to Language Diagnostics & Clinical Reasoning | 4 |
| SHS 534 | Aphasia & Related Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 592 | Prosem Spch & Hear Sci | 0 |
Summer 1
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 410 | Stuttering: Theory & Practice | 2 |
| SHS 571 | Culturally Responsive Practices in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 577 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 1-2 |
| SHS 579 | Professional/Ethical/Legal Issues in AuD & SLP | 3 |
Fall 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 513 | Assessment & Management of Dysphagia | 3 |
| SHS 514 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 535 | Cognitive Communication Disorders | 3 |
| SHS 572 | Counseling in Comm Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 577 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| SHS 591 | Clinical Case Project in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 0 |
Spring 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SHS 574 | Communication in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2 |
| SHS 575 | School Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 576 | School Intrnshp Spch-Lang Path | 4 |
| SHS 577 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 |
| SHS 578 | Medical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
| SHS 591 | Clinical Case Project in Communication Sciences & Disorders | 0 |
Summer 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 577 M | Hospital Placement | 4 |
Additional Information
Admissions Process
For information about the clinical M.A. program admissions requirements and process, please see our graduate admissions page.
Tuition Information
For information on tuition and fee rates, visit the Office of the Registrar’s page.
Funding Opportunities
Our department provides financial aid, mainly through assistantships. These can be for research or teaching, and we offer them to a limited number of students. Doctoral students get first priority based on their qualifications and the department’s goals.
For other financial aid options based on your needs, apply through the university’s Office of Student Financial Aid.
More resources: