Speech Pathology and Audiology

Speech Pathology - Graduate Program
- Overview
- Admission
- Degree Plan & Courses
- Graduate Course Sequence
- Scholarships,Assistantships,Financial Assistance
- Student Resources
- Student Outcome Data
Graduate Program Flatsheet
Questions about the Speech Pathology and Audiology Graduate Program

Graduate Coordinator
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Julie L. Cox (Ph.D., CCC/SLP) Assistant Professor Graduate Coordinator Office: 245 Memorial Hall Phone: (309) 298-1955 Email: JL-Cox3@wiu.edu |
Admission Requirements In order to be eligible for admission to the graduate program in Speech Pathology, applicants must have prerequisite coursework in the following areas:
- Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech & Hearing Mechanisms (SPA 210)
- Phonetics (SPA 212)
- Speech & Hearing Science (SPA 311)
- Normal Development of Speech & Language (SPA 312)
- Audiology (SPA 390)
- Communication Disorders (varies; SPA 381, 385, 386)
- Statistics
- Biological Science
- Physical Science
- Social Science
Western Illinois University Graduate Studies Application Applicants must submit an application directly to WIU. The application is online and can be found at the following address: Application for Admission

- Online application form
- Official Transcripts from all universities/colleges you have attended
- Personal statement/essay
Use the same statement/essay you submit via the CSDCAS system. - Three letters of reference
Letters may be submitted online or via hard copy. If you choose the online option your recommenders will receive a link to the recommendation form via email.
Ask the same recommenders you use for the CSDCAS system. - If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship position, please answer the relevant questions on the Assistantship link on the left side of the online application screen.
- A $30 application fee
CSDCAS Application Applicants must also submit an application via the Centralized Application Service, known as CSDCAS. This system can be accessed via the following link: CSDCAS. As part of this application you must submit the following:
- All application materials requested by CSDCAS including
- Online application
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement/essay
- Three recommendation letters
- Application fee
International Student English Requirements

- SPA 501 Introduction to Research Methods in Speech Pathology (3)
- SPA 503 Seminar in Professional Affairs (2)
- SPA 510 Motor Speech Disorders (3)
- SPA 514 Assessment and Treatment of Child Language Disorders (3)
- SPA 515 Autism and Special Populations. (2)
- SPA 521 Methods in Public Schools (3)
- SPA 523 Neurological Disorders I: Aphasia (3)
- SPA 524 Neurological Disorders II: Cognitive and Degenerative Disorders (3)
- SPA 525 Dysphagia: Assessment and Intervention (3)
- SPA 535 Voice Disorders (3)
- SPA 547 Fluency and Fluency Disorders (3)
- SPA 548 Articulation and Phonological Disorders (3)
- SPA 549 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3)
- SPA 550 Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist (2)
- SPA 587 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Evaluation (variable)
- SPA 588 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (variable)
- SPA 604 Graduate Portfolio (0)
- SPA 587 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Evaluation (4)
- SPA 588 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (9)
- SPA 590 Speech-Language Group Practicum (3)
- SPA 522 Internship in the Public School
- A. Internship: 16 s.h.
- SPA 600 Internship in Communication Disorders (16)
- B. Public School Internship: 16 s.h.
- SPA 522 Internship in the Public School (8)
- SPA 600 Internship in Communication Disorders (8)
In addition to the coursework above, all students must complete all clinical clock hours required for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) before the master's degree will be awarded.
Graduate Program Course Descriptions
501 Introduction to Research Methods in Speech Pathology. (3)
Explores clinician's role as researcher and need for science to inform our clinical practice. Students read and critically analyze existing research within the communication sciences and disorders, and review common research designs and data analysis techniques. Students are required to complete a formal project.
503 Seminar in Professional Affairs. (2)
The study of current problems, issues and legislation in the communication disorders profession. Discussions will be organized to accommodate both student and instructor interests and concerns. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA.
510 Motor Speech Disorders. (3)
Study of assessment and intervention methods for apraxia of speech and the dysarthrias across the lifespan. Includes study of the etiology and characteristics of motor speech disorders as well as relevant anatomical, physiological, developmental, cultural, and psychological correlates. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
514 Assessment and Treatment of Child Language Disorders. (3)
Study of assessment and intervention methods for child language disorders. Principles of evidence based practice will be emphasized. Issues related to English language learners and literacy will be discussed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
515 Autism and Special Populations. (2)
The study of assessment and intervention methods for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special populations including cognitive impairments, sensory processing disorders, ADHA, emotional/behavioral disorders, low incidence populations and multiply disabled children.
521 Methods in Public Schools. (3)
The study of general program considerations for the speech-language pathologist in the public school setting including case management and state and federal legislation.
522 Internship in the Public School. (variable)
Supervised clinical practice in speech–language and/or hearing in the public school setting. Prerequisites: SPA 521, completion of required SPA coursework, no more than one C grade in SPA 587/588, and approval of faculty.
523 Neurological Disorders I: Aphasia. (3)
Assessment and management of fluent, nonfluent, mixed, and global aphasia, with emphasis on the nature and cause of acquired language disorders in adults, including right hemisphere disorder. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
524 Neurological Disorders II: Cognitive and Degenerative Disorders. (3)
Identification, classification, and treatment of degenerative disorders and cognitive/memory disorders that affect speech and language, with emphasis on intervention across the continuum of care. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
525 Dysphagia: Assessment and Intervention. (3)
The study of swallowing and deglutition across the age span, with concentration on the methods of assessment and intervention in disorders of swallowing. Prerequisites: SPA 210, 312 and 382.
535 Voice Disorders. (3)
Voice production, including vocal development and life–span changes. Pathophysiology of voice disorders, their assessment, management and treatment. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
547 Fluency and Fluency Disorders. (3)
Theory, research and clinical applications in fluency disorders. Emphasis on assessment and treatment of behavioral, affective, and cognitive features of developmental stuttering across the lifespan. Consideration of cluttering, neurogenic stuttering, psychogenic stuttering. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
548 Articulation and Phonological Disorders. (3)
The study of assessment and intervention methods for children with articulation and phonological disorders. Includes study of etiology and characteristics as well as relevant anatomical, physiological, developmental, linguistic, cultural, and psychological correlates. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
549 Augmentative and Alternative Communication. (3)
Study of the various alternative and augmentative communication techniques and assistive technologies including the assessment and intervention strategies utilized to implement them. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
550 Audiology for the Speech-Language Pathologist. (2)
Study of selected auditory disorders, screening procedures, and habilitation/rehabilitation approaches from a speech-language pathology perspective based upon current scope of practice and research. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor.
587 Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Evaluation. (variable)
Supervised practicum in speech-language evaluation procedures in the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in SPA or permission of the instructor..
588 Graduate Clinical Practicum I Speech-Language Pathology. (variable)
Supervised clinical experience in on–campus and off–campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having speech and language disorders. A minimum of 15 contact clock hours must be obtained for each credit hour. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
590 Speech-Language Group Practicum (3-4)
Supervised clinical experience working with children receiving speech, language, and pragmatic disorders in organized group settings. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
599 Graduate Clinical Practicum in Audiology. (variable)
Supervised clinical experience in on–campus and/or off–campus clinical facilities while working with children and adults having hearing impairments. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
600 Internship in Communication Disorders. (variable)
Supervised applied experience in an occupationally related area in line with the students' career objectives and approved by faculty. A minimum of eight weeks will be required for this experience. Prerequisites: Completion of required SPA coursework, no more than one C grade in SPA 587/588, and approval of faculty.
601 Thesis. (3)
604 Graduate Portfolio. (0)
Supervised applied experience in an occupationally related area in line with the students' career objectives and approved by faculty. A minimum of eight weeks will be required for this experience. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: Completion of required SPA coursework, no more than one C grade in SPA 587/588, and approval of faculty.
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* Take ONCE during the program To download in PDF Graduate Course Sequence |

Clinical Sites
Students enrolled in clinical practicum may be located on campus at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic as well as at one of several off-campus sites supervised by WIU SLP faculty including but not limited to the following:- Bridgeway Rehabilitation Center, Macomb, IL
- Elms Nursing Home, Macomb, IL
- Monmouth-Roseville Schools
- West Prairie North
- West Prairie South
Speech Language Hearing Clinic Library/Workroom/Computer Lab
A library/work room is available at the clinic. A wide variety of tests, materials and clinic forms for use in therapy are located here. Ample space is provided for clinicians to prepare for speech therapy sessions. A computer lab is available exclusively to our clinicians, which is useful for the completion of clinic reports using our electronic medical record (EMR) system, as well as word processing necessary for academic work. A copy machine is located in this area as well.Web resources for SLP students:
Academic Year | On-Time Completion | Extended Program | Not Completed | On-Time Completion (%) |
2021 - 2022 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 95% |
2020 - 2021 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
2019 - 2020 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 81% |
3 year average | 54 | 2 | 2 | 92.7% |
Time Period | # taking the exam | # passed the exam | Pass rate (%) |
2021 - 2022 | 20 | 20 | 100% |
2020 - 2021 | 19 | 19 | 100% |
2019 - 2020 | 17 | 17 | 100% |
3 year average | 56 | 56 | 100% |
Time Period | # of graduates | # of grads with employment |
2021 - 2022 | 19 | 100% |
2020 - 2021 | 19 | 100% |
2019 - 2020 | 17 | 100% |
3 year average | 55 | 100% |
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