Collaborative Distance Learning Program in Speech-Language Pathology

Start Date:  January

The University of Akron and the University of Cincinnati have partnered to offer a collaborative distance learning graduate program that leads to a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.

This part-time graduate program offers online academic coursework delivered by 5 Ohio universities. Courses run for 8 consecutive semesters beginning January. Students will participate in clinical practicum where they will be required to accumulate a minimum of 400 clock hours working under a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist in a variety of clinical sites.

Students will be enrolled for the master’s degree at either the University of Akron or the University of Cincinnati. Regardless of major, all students are required to take the prerequisite courses in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).

In addition, there are 4 other required courses: one in each of the following areas:

• statistics
• physical science (physics or chemistry)
• biological science (general biology, human biology or anatomy and physiology)
• social science (psychology, or sociology or social anthropology)

The University of Cincinnati also requires courses in Human Growth and Development including birth through aging.

Prerequisite courses can be taken at any accredited university. The CSD courses can be called by various names at different universities but the content is similar. Some universities cover the Audiology material in one course and others cover it in two courses. Examples are:

• Anatomy & Physiology of Voice and Speech Production – UC OR Anatomy & Physiology and Science of Speech - OSU
• Language Science and Acquisition – OR Language Acquisition – OSU
• Audiology 1 – UC OR Anatomy, Physiology and Science of Hearing AND Introduction to Audiology – OSU

All applicants must also have taken the GRE within the past 5 years.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible for state licensure in speech-language pathology as well as the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Graduates will be qualified to work as a speech-language pathologist in any type of employment setting.

Interested applicants are directed to first complete a preliminary application (found on each university's SLP department website) and submit it to either the University of Akron or the University of Cincinnati. The university will review the preliminary application and then direct the applicant to formally apply to one of the two universities once the application process is opened for each cohort.