The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved a new Master of
Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology program on November 8, 2022. The application
window is NOW OPEN for a Fall 2025 start date and will close December 16, 2024. 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.
By the Numbers
22
Graduate Student Cohort
29
New Courses
95%
Face-to-Face Instruction
72
Credit Hours
6
Semesters
Licensure Disclosure Statement
Graduates from the Augusta University Master of Health Science 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 6600 Head and Neck Cancer and SLPP 6000 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.
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.
White coat ceremony to officially mark a student’s transition into the world of healthcare.
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.
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.
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 a pre-admissions 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
Beginning spring 2025, Pamplin College at Augusta University will offer LING 4410 Phonetics. This prerequisite course is open to all students applying to the program.
*According to CFCC Standard IV-A, the following courses are required prior to applying
to the program with an earned grade of C or better.
The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of statistics as well as the biological,
physical, and social/behavioral sciences.
Implementation: Standalone coursework in (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 coursework provides foundational knowledge in the areas below.
Chemistry: Substances and compounds composed of atoms and molecules, and their structure,
properties, behavior, as well as the changes that occur during reactions with other
compounds. This knowledge contributes to better acquisition and synthesis of the underlying
processes of speech and hearing science.
Physics: Matter, energy, motion, and force. This knowledge contributes to better appreciation
of the role of physics in everyday experiences and in today's society and technology.
Social/behavioral sciences coursework provides knowledge in the analysis and investigation
of human and animal behavior through controlled and naturalistic observation and disciplined
scientific experimentation.
Statistics coursework focuses on learning from data and measuring, controlling, and
communicating uncertainty. It provides the navigation essential for controlling the
course of scientific and societal advances.
*The program will NOT accept prerequisite courses taken as AP courses for college
credit (e.g. AP Statistics, AP Physics, AP Chemistry).
*Effective January 1, 2020: According to the ASHA Knowledge Outcomes (Standard IV-A)
from the 2020 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical
Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
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
Pre-interview (online)
In-person interview
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.
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.
