Collaborative Distance Learning Program in Speech-Language Pathology
The Distance Learning Program begins in January each year. Following is the time frame for 2017, leading up to the first semester in January 2018. Applicants will be informed of interview dates after the application period.
| Application Period Opens | March 1, 2018 |
| Application Period Closes | June 15, 2018 |
| Interviews* | Late July, 2018 |
| Acceptance Notifications | August 15, 2018 |
| Orientation | October, 2018 |
| Program of Study Begins | January, 2019 |
*Interviews for January 2019 Program:
In-person interviews will soon be announced.
Please note: not all applicants will be offered an interview.
Career Prospects
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/speech-language-pathologists.htm) predicts 26,000 job openings in the field of speech-language pathology by the year 2022, projecting employment opportunities to grow faster than the average for all occupations (19%)
About Our Program
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.
As you consider applying to the Distance Learning program, please note that you should formally apply to the university that is closer in proximity to your home community, either the University of Akron or the University of Cincinnati. If you have any questions regarding which university to apply to, UA or UC, please email Dr. Richards: richarc@uakron.edu directly and she will advise.
This part-time graduate program offers online academic coursework offered by 3 Ohio universities. The program is 8 consecutive semesters in length beginning each January. Students will participate in clinical practicum where they will be required to accumulate a minimum of 400 clock hours supervised by licensed and certified speech-language pathologists in a variety of clinical sites.
Mission Statement: Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program
Placement Objectives
Our Distance Learning program graduates approximately 20-25 qualified speech-language pathologists each year with a Master of Arts degree. These individuals are qualified to work with people across the lifespan and within a variety of work settings.
Our recent employment statistics indicate that we have a 100% pass rate on the Praxis national exam and a 100% job placement rate within one year or less when the student actively seeks employment after graduation.
We believe our program with its emphasis on clinical training is well suited to provide for the communication needs of citizens across the region, State of Ohio, and nationally.
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.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs will:
- Demonstrate a broad-based knowledge of the foundations, theories, and application of speech-language pathology.
- Demonstrate clinical competencies in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of speech-language disorders.
- Present knowledge of research principles and their integration into evidence based practice in speech-language pathology.
- Demonstrate understanding of the ethical standards and conduct expected for professionals in the field of speech-language pathology.
- Present knowledge of professional issues that confront practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology.
Prerequisites
If you have completed an undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology/audiology:
1. One course in each of the following areas is required, and if not represented in undergraduate transcripts, must be completed before beginning the Distance Learning Master's degree:
- statistics
- physical science (physics or chemistry)
- biological science (general biology, human biology or anatomy and physiology)
- social science (psychology, or sociology or social anthropology)
2. In addition, three "leveling" courses in the following areas in the speech-language pathology/audiology major must have been completed within the past 7 years (course titles will vary):
- Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Language Science and Acquisition
- Introduction to Hearing and Speech Science
If you have completed an undergraduate degree in another major (not speech-language pathology/audiology):
1. One course in each of the following areas are required, and if not represented in undergraduate transcripts, must be completed before beginning the Distance Learning Master's degree:
- statistics
- physical science (physics or chemistry)
- biological science (general biology, human biology or anatomy and physiology)
- social science (psychology, or sociology or social anthropology)
2. In addition, three "leveling" courses are required, and can be taken at any accredited university (course titles will vary):
- Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- Language Science and Acquisition
- Introduction to Hearing and Speech Science
Click here for the schedule for these online course offerings.
How to register for online courses: see FAQs below.
All course must be taken for credit and grade (not pass/fail or audit).
Admission Standards
(Also see Graduate School Bulletin)
The following are the minimum criteria used by the Graduate School and the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in processing admission applications (see "Prerequisites" above). It is not unusual for many more qualified individuals to apply than can be admitted to the program; therefore, meeting these requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will be admitted to the program.
Full Admission
Students with a minimum GPA of 3.00 or above, or 3.00 or better for the last two years (64 semester hours or equivalent), and a 3.0 in-field GPA will be considered for the speech-language pathology program. Admission is competitive.
Applicants to the Distance Learning Program must possess a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology or complete a post-baccalaureate sequence of courses in speech-language pathology and audiology from an accredited university. Three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose, and GRE scores are required of all applicants. Applicants must also demonstrate competency in oral and written communication and language.
Average scores of students admitted to the Distance Learning Graduate Program in 2016 were:
- Overall GPA: 3.63
- In-Field GPA: 3.58
- GRE Verbal: 50th Percentile
- GRE Quantitative: 32nd Percentile
- GRE Writing: 3.9
Information about the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
What is the GRE?
“The GRE revised General Test measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study but are important for all.” (http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/content/)
Visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website for more information.
GRE score requirements for The University of Akron’s graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology:
- Quantitative and Verbal – scores at or above the 40th percentile (Quantitative score approximately 150, Verbal score approximately 149 and above) are preferred.
- Analytical Writing – a score of 3.5 or above is required. Applicants whose writing score is 3.0 or below will not be considered for admission to our program.
- Our program will accept, and use for admission decisions, the highest score in each of the three test areas, if applicants submit more than one score report. It is strongly recommended that applicants retake the GRE if scores are below the preferred scores (above).
Submitting Scores:
The official score report from ETS must be sent to the University of Akron Graduate School, using code 1829.
GRE scores are valid for 5 years – must be no more than 5 years from the first day of the term that the applicant will begin the graduate program.
Application and Admission Procedures
Please note: when submitting your application on the ApplyYourself program, select Spring 2018 for "term." We will track your application carefully.
Download these instructions to learn how to apply to the DL Program.
FAQs:
How will I know if the University of Akron has received all of my application materials?
The Graduate School will send you email notifications as each portion of your application is received by the Graduate School. If you need to check on something that was submitted to The University of Akron's Graduate School (GRE scores, UA application, fee, etc.), you may contact our Graduate School directly. Their email address is gradsch@uakron.edu and their phone number is (330) 972-7663.
How do I register for online leveling courses?
- Apply to the University of Akron as an undergraduate transfer student.
- Once your transfer student application has been accepted, set up your UA e-mail address by contacting the HELP Desk at 330-972-6888.
- Using your uakron.edu email account, send a note to Dr. Cathie Richards (richarc@uakron.edu) and request enrollment in your desired UA course(s). Include your 7 digit UA student ID number (found on your admissions notification) and the course number.
- Dr. Richards will forward your request to Susan Scheks, administrative assistant (sas@uakron.edu) to authorize her to enroll you.
- Susan will notify you via your UA e-mail when the enrollment is completed.
- You will also receive an automatically-generated confirmation of enrollment from the University.
When should I start taking the prerequisite courses?
The Council of Academic Accreditation of The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires certain prerequisite coursework for all students. These prerequisite courses are one course in statistics, one course in a physical science (chemistry OR physics) one course in biological science (basic anatomy/physiology, life science, etc.) and one course in a social science (psychology, sociology, etc.)
However, each Distance learning program has different "leveling" or post-baccalaureate requirements. The three required by the University of Akron are also required by most programs, and are offered online. These leveling courses must be completed before starting the Master's program. It is recommended that you begin to take these leveling courses prior to or during the application period.
Can I work while completing this degree?
It is imperative that you have the flexibility during the week days in order to complete clinical practicum requirements. A minimum of 400 clock hours are required, while being supervised by a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist in school and health care settings.
The number of hours per week spent in practicum increases through the program. See Programs of Study that depict this increase:
Program of Study beginning January 2018
Program of Study beginning January 2019
Tuition Information
University of Akron:
http://www.uakron.edu/dotAsset/1372606.pdf
Ohio State University:
http://registrar.osu.edu/FeeTables/Web_SU14_Fee_Table/indiv_tables_SU14/grad_basic_su14.pdf
University of Cincinnati:
http://grad.uc.edu/prospective/tuition.html
Financial Aid
SLP Links
Speech-Language Pathology Organization Links
Augmentative Communication and Assistive Technology
- United States Society for Augmentative Alternative Communication
- Closing the Gap
- International Society for Augmentative Alternative Communication
Hearing Impaired Intervention
- Auditory-Verbal International, Inc.
- Natural Communication, Inc.
- A.G. Bell Society
Stuttering Intervention
Traumatic Brain Injury