Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology
Beginning Fall 2025
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved a new Master of
Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology program on November 8, 2022.
This program is full-time, lock-step model.
The Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology {residential} at
Augusta University is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on 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.
Public Meeting
The Augusta University Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology
graduate program is currently under review for candidacy accreditation by the Council
on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). During
the CAA site visit, the Department of Speech-Language Pathology will host a public
meeting wherein stakeholders are welcome to offer questions, comments, and concerns
regarding Augusta University’s Master of Health Sciences (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language
national candidacy accreditation status.
Graduates from the Augusta University Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language
Pathology are eligible to sit for the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
(5331). The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) is an integral
component of ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) national certification
standards and a requirement for state professional licensure. Individuals are eligible
to apply for national certification once they have completed all graduate-level academic
course work and clinical practicum and been judged by the graduate program as having
acquired all of the knowledge and skills mandated by current CAA and CFCC (Council
for Clinical Certification in Speech-Language Pathology) standards. When an earned
passing score on the Praxis exam is achieved, the department has determined a speech-language
pathologist is eligible to apply for licensure to practice in any state or territory
within the United States.
Only USG program affiliated with an academic health center, Wellstar MCG Health.
Intended to provide experiential learning opportunities to keep pace with the increase
of medical SLP service delivery needs.
One-of-a-kind curriculum to include SLPP 5302 Head and Neck Cancer and SLPP 5101 Anatomy
of the Head and Neck, a lecture/cadaver lab course for reflective hands-on learning.
Lab training opportunities using professional grade Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation
of Swallowing (FEES) and Voice Lab equipment.
Interprofessional Education (IPE) opportunities with occupational therapy, physical
therapy, respiratory therapy, physician assistant, dietician, and medical students.
Study Abroad opportunity in Jamaica providing therapeutic services to the residents of Mustard Seed Communities. This
interprofessional education (IPE) opportunity with CAHS occupational therapy students
is a voluntary week-long event (Saturday to Saturday) based on space availability.
Second year SLP graduate students enrolled in SLPP 6501 Pediatric Externship and SLPP
6502 Pediatric Externship - Seminar are eligible to participate.
One-of-a-kind opportunities to experience clinical rotations at inpatient and outpatient
AUMC, Georgia Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Charlie Norwood VA Hospital,
and Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, local school districts, outpatient pediatric
and adult therapy facilities, etc.
Prepare graduates with the required knowledge and clinical skillset needed for entry
level professional practice and employment in a range of education and health-related
work settings and be recognized for their competence, leadership, ethics, and commitment
to service and life-long learning.
Transform graduates to become independent clinicians to deliver effective, culturally
sensitive, and evidenced-based clinical services to individuals with differences or
disorders in communication and swallowing.
Provide graduates with a well-rounded, high-quality academic and clinical experience
that is directed by certified SLP faculty and clinical supervisors promoting transformational
learning, mentorship, and service-learning through critical thinking and evidence-based
clinical practices.
Offer an innovative and well-rounded curriculum of study to promote the development
of interprofessional educational practice to guide clinical decision-making via interdisciplinary
collaboration with on-campus academic programs to include occupational therapy, physical
therapy, respiratory therapy, physician assistant, dietician, nursing and medical
students.
The CSDCAS portal for the Fall 2025 application cycle is now closed. Please note - the CSDCAS application portal for the Fall 2026 application cycle
will open in July 2025.
An undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Language Pathology
or Speech and Hearing Science is preferred, but not required for application to the program.
Requirements
Applicants will submit an official transcript verifying an earned undergraduate degree
from an accredited institution AND official transcripts from an accredited institution(s)
of the following FIVE prerequisite courses with an earned grade of B or better within
the past FIVE years prior to applying to the program. All FIVE prerequisites MUST be approved by program admissions as equivalent/accepted
prerequisite courses from an accredited institution.
An applicant is eligible to apply for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle if currently
enrolled at an accredited institution anticipating graduation and/or will have completed
ALL five prerequisite courses PRIOR TO August 13, 2025 (Fall 2025 program start date). Please upload valid documentation from your current institution(s) indicating proof
of enrollment. Please note - eligibility is CONTINGENT upon earning a grade of B or
better in all five prerequisite courses AND receipt of an official acceptance letter
to the program.
To be eligible for an interview, documentation of completion of the minimum of 25
hours of guided clinical observation hours of professionals who hold the Certificate
of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) is required.
Prerequisites
Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders OR Speech and Hearing Science
Introduction to Audiology
Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
Phonetics
Speech and Language Development
According to CFCC Standard IV-A*, the following standalone courses are required prior
to applying to the program: (a) biological sciences, (b) chemistry or physics, (c)
social/behavioral sciences, and (d) statistics that fulfill non-communication-sciences-and-disorders-specific
university requirements.
Biological sciences coursework provides knowledge in areas related to human or animal
sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology,
human genetics, veterinary science).
Chemistry OR physics
Social/behavioral sciences coursework provides knowledge in the analysis and investigation
of human and animal behavior (e.g., anthropology, archaeology, economics, psychology)
Documentation of a minimum 25 hours of guided clinical observation hours of professionals who hold
the CCC-SLP. In-person observations are encouraged across a variety of settings and
disorders. Documentation must include CCC-SLP signature AND ASHA # of each observed CCC-SLP.
Minimum 3.0 GPA average of last 60 credit hours
Resume
CASPer (online, open response situational judgement test) Testing dates are limited. Detailed instructions and test dates are listed on the
Augusta University CSDCAS information page.
Writing sample
If eligible, a single interview format will be offered as either in-person or virtual.
GRE is not required
English proficiency exam scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English and who do
not qualify for an English proficiency exam waiver per the criteria listed below.
Augusta University will accept official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test (IELTS) exam scores. TOEFL Minimum Overall Score is 79 internet based or 213 computer based. The
IELTS Minimum Overall Band Score: 6.5. Official exam scores must be taken within
2 years of the date of application. The Augusta University institution code for submission
of TOEFL or IELTS scores is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
The program will utilize the Communication Sciences & Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS), a centralized application service for graduate level speech-language pathology academic
programs. The CSDCAS application fee is $150 for the first graduate program applied
to and $50 for each additional graduate program. All information must be submitted
directly to CSDCAS to complete your application. CSDCAS requires 4-6 weeks to process
your information and verify your transcripts, so start early! As part of the online
CSDCAS application, you will need to submit all of the program application required
documents directly to CSDCAS. Go to Applicant Login
When CSDCAS verifies your application is complete, applicants will receive an email
from the AU Graduate Admissions Office (GAO) verifying your CSDCAS application has
been successfully received and will provide a link to the AU GAO supplemental application.
The supplemental application fee is $25. The supplemental application will be shared
with SLP departmental administration.
For this 2025 admission cycle, we did not require evaluations or references. While
CSDCAS inherently includes a section for references, it is not a requirement for our
program.
Graduates will obtain a minimum of 400 clinical clock hours required for graduation
supervised by American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA) certified clinical supervisors,
a requirement for full eligibility to complete the Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY).
Graduates will be well prepared for the Praxis Exam in Speech-Language Pathology required
for state licensure.
Graduates will demonstrate professional practice competencies leading to the ASHA
Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), a nationally recognized certification
required for employment.
Graduates from the Augusta University Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) in Speech-Language
Pathology are eligible to sit for the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology
(5331). The Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology (5331) is an integral
component of ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) national certification
standards and a requirement for state professional licensure. Individuals are eligible
to apply for national certification once they have completed all graduate-level academic
course work and clinical practicum and been judged by the graduate program as having
acquired all of the knowledge and skills mandated by current CAA and CFCC (Council
for Clinical Certification in Speech-Language Pathology) standards. When an earned
passing score on the Praxis exam is achieved, the department has determined a speech-language
pathologist is eligible to apply for licensure to practice in any state or territory
within the United States including the Georgia Board of Speech-Language Pathology
and the Georgia Educator Certificate in the field of speech-language pathology by
the Georgia Board of Education.
SLP graduates will improve community health by increasing the provision of highly
qualified SLP graduates to fill the state and nationwide critical shortage.
Tuition and Fees
Program starting in Fall 2025. Tuition and Fees listed here are approved for Fall 2024 - Summer 2025. View the list of expenses not included in tuition for the MHS-SLP program.
