Speech-Language Pathology

Bachelor of Science
UCO's Speech-Language Pathology program consists of an undergraduate component followed by a two-year graduate component. After coursework in the normal process of human communication and its disorders, students apply this information in supervised clinical practicum.

The undergraduate pre-professional program consists of the General Education component, several Professional Teacher Education courses, major courses in Speech-Language Pathology, and Related Electives drawn from areas such as Special Education, Early Childhood, Family Relations, Child Development, and Psychology. The graduate degree component is designed to complement the undergraduate component and to complete the requirements for state and national level credentials. Graduate courses are generally available in the daytime, late afternoon, evening and in summer sessions. This allows for maximum flexibility for clinical practicum experiences.

In addition to the preparatory coursework, clinical practicum at UCO includes a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised experience working with preschool children, school-age children, and adults. In addition to on-campus practicum experiences at the UCO Speech and Hearing Clinic and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf Edmond Regional Preschool, students at the graduate level are eventually assigned to off-campus multidisciplinary experiences in public schools and medical facilities.

Overall, courses of increasing depth and complexity are programmed to prepare students for more demanding experiences and settings as they progress. Ultimately, the UCO Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to integrate academic understanding of foundational concepts and technical principles with practical application in varied settings.

Can I be employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist with a Bachelor's degree?

No. Speech-Language Pathology requires a Master of Science degree to obtain the required professional credentials (ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence, Oklahoma Board of Examiners License, Oklahoma Teaching Certificate). The bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Pathology serves as a "pre-professional degree" that prepares an individual for graduate level studies.

Master of Science
The Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology is designed to complete the academic and practical preparation for individuals seeking the professional credentials for working with persons who exhibit disordered communication. The program is designed to prepare individuals to serve in a variety of professional settings and with a variety of populations. Completion of the program satisfies requirements for the Oklahoma State Department teaching certificate, the Oklahoma Board of Examiners license, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. This program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Basic courses in normal and disordered human communication, completed either as part of the undergraduate major or as graduate prerequisites, must precede application for admission to the graduate program. Upon admission to the graduate program, students complete graduate level courses to further their understanding of normal and disordered human communication. Ultimately, students apply this knowledge in accumulating a minimum number of practicum clock hours representing experiences with a variety of disorders, settings and populations.

Can I apply to the UCO graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology if my bachelor's degree is not in Speech-Language Pathology?

Yes, after completing designated prerequisite courses in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. These include Foundations of Speech-Language Pathology, Normal Language Development, Acoustic Phonetics, Speech & Hearing Mechanism, Articulation Disorders, Language Disorders, and Audiology.

Related Professional Associations

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Oklahoma Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology (OBESPA)
• Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSHA)