Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Degree Programs

Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences — MS

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences offers a master’s programs in speech-language pathology accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). A Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (MS) has a thesis or non-thesis requirement. The degree does not require expertise in a foreign language. Information about the degree program is available at https://www.cla.auburn.edu/speech-language-hearing-sciences/.

The plan of study for the MS must conform to academic and practicum requirements for ASHA certification and Alabama licensure. Students then are prepared for careers in school systems, clinics, hospital/rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, and private practice and for pursuing the doctoral degree.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university is necessary. Those with a degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences, or equivalent, complete the Master of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (MS) degree with 52–59 hours semester credit hours dependent on whether a student selects the thesis or non-thesis track. General education courses on the undergraduate transcript should include at least one course in each of the following areas: statistics, biological science, physical science (must be chemistry or physics), and behavioral science. As this background is expected by the program’s accreditation agency, any deficiency must be fulfilled before conferral of the master’s degree in this program. Students who do not have required undergraduate prerequisite courses will be required to take the coursework prior to entering or as part of their graduate program. If any prerequisite coursework has not been completed, it is with the understanding that it could delay the student’s graduation date. 

Some application materials are sent directly to the Graduate School and other materials are sent CSDCAS.

Application to Auburn University’s Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Dept. requires that you complete both the electronic application through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS) AND the online application to the Auburn University Graduate School. Here are specific steps:

1. Apply online to AU’s Graduate School and submit payment.
2. Complete the Casper Assessment through Altus Suite. Casper scores are sent directly to Auburn University so you do not need to upload your scores to CSDCAS.
3. Official transcripts from every college or university attended must be sent to CSDCAS.
4. Three professional letters of recommendation must be submitted to CSDCAS
5. A video: See website for instructions and prompt.
6. A personal statement. See website for instructions.
7. For international students whose native language is not English, the TOEFL must be taken and submitted to both CSDCAS and AU Graduate School. In keeping with the requirements of the Auburn University Graduate School, successful international applicants must score at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper version (pBT), 213 on the computer version (cBT), and 79 on the internet version (iBT). Additionally, successful applicants must score minimums of 16 on the listening, reading, speaking, and writing components of the iBT.

January 15^th is the annual deadline for applications to the graduate program. To be considered for admission, all materials need to be submitted to AU and CSDCAS no later than January 15^th.

Graduation Requirements

The Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences non-thesis track requires a minimum of 53 hours of graduate course work, including five semester hours of SLHS 7920 Internship in Speech-Language Pathology. Students must pass the comprehensive examination process to graduate (See handbook).

The MS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences thesis track requires a minimum of 52 hours of graduate course work, including at least four hours of SLHS 7990 Research and Thesis.  Although SLHS 7920 Internship is not required for thesis students, historically all students have enrolled in this course to acquire the required 400 clock hours of supervised practicum in speech language pathology.

Clinical Experience Requirements

In addition to academic course work requirements, the MS degree program requires a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology.

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities

The department has a limited number of graduate assistantships available. These assistantships must be applied for using the Application for Assistantship form downloaded from the departmental website. Assistantships are awarded based on academic performance and research experience.