波尔州立大学

Ball State’s master of arts in speech-language pathology program will prepare you to become a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.

This fast-growing, well-compensated career field offers broad opportunities to apply your skills in a number of settings.

Our program equips you for Indiana state licensure as well as the certificate of clinical competence awarded by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

What You Will Learn

Speech-language pathologists (sometimes called speech therapists) assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent speech, language, cognitive (thinking), communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and other related disorders.

Students who graduate from our master’s program will be prepared to provide care to people:

• with the inability to make speech sounds or cannot make them clearly
• with voice quality problems, such as inappropriate pitch or harsh voice
• with swallowing difficulties
• with problems understanding and producing language
• with speech rhythm and fluency problems, such as stuttering
• who seek to improve their communication skills by modifying an accent
• with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving disorders
• with hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants in order to develop auditory skills and improve communication

What’s It Like to Pursue a Master’s in Speech Language Pathology at Ball State?

• Speech Language Clinic
• A Diverse, Committed Student Community
• Excellent Faculty
• Strong Clinical Skills Leading to Employment Opportunities
• Departmental Assistantships Available

Program Requirements

For students with backgrounds in speech and hearing (usually bachelor’s degrees), the program consists of a minimum of 56 credits, including courses in which clinical practicum experience is acquired.

• students with bachelor’s degrees in speech pathology – The program will take six semesters to complete
• students with degrees in another discipline – The program typically takes eight to nine semesters to complete (this will vary based on the specific undergraduate background).

The program requires sufficient clinical practicum hours to meet the ASLHA clinical practicum requirements. A comprehensive examination is also required.

What Can You Do with an MA in Speech-Language Pathology?

Most speech-language pathologists provide direct clinical services (care) to people with communication or swallowing disorders. In speech and language clinics, they may independently develop and carry out treatment programs. They may work with physicians, social workers, psychologists, and other therapists. In schools, they develop individual or group programs, counsel parents, and may assist teachers with classroom activities.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for speech-language pathologists is much higher than the national average, and 25,900 new jobs are expected to be added between 2016 and 2026.

Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent disorders in:

• speech
• language
• cognitive (thinking)
• voice
• swallowing
• fluency
• other related disorders