Graduate Program Requirements

Mission for the Graduate Program in School of Communicative Disorders

The mission of the graduate program in the School of Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is to provide a foundation of professional preparation in speech-language pathology. The program provides students with learning opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to competently assess and treat individuals, of all ages and backgrounds, with speech, language, hearing, and/or swallowing disorders in a variety of work settings.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Graduate Program

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology: The School of Communicative Disorders offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree with specialization in speech-language pathology. The Master’s program in speech-language pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. The School maintains contracts with a local hospital, as well as an early intervention program, and a hospice program.  Our graduates are currently located from coast to coast in a variety of work setting including universities, hospitals, public schools and private clinics. Clinical training in speech-language pathology begins at the undergraduate level and culminates with a clinical semester at the end of the graduate program.  In consultation with the director of Clinical Services, you select a site (e.g., school, clinic, hospital) for a 15-week, concentrated, supervised practicum.

Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.): The School of Communicative Disorders has developed a joint Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) program with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Communicative Disorders. Our universities have merged their resources to provide a unique professional doctorate program. The collaborative program between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been awarded candidacy status from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.  For more information, see the Au.D. website at http://www.aud.wisc.edu.

Instructional Resources

In addition to the general instructional resources of the University, students in the Communicative Disorders Program have access to a variety of other resources specific to Communicative Disorders:

• The Center for Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point outpatient clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic services for speech, language and hearing disorders.  This area is housed within the School of Communicative Disorders and provides students with a variety of practical experiences.  Facilities related to the clinical area include ten individual therapy rooms, a group therapy room, four speech and language diagnostic rooms with associated observation rooms, a television observation room and three audiometric suites.  The audiometric suites contain a variety of equipment for assessment of auditory functioning. 
• A Clinical Media Center contains a variety of tests utilized in speech and language assessment, therapy materials and equipment. 
• Communicative Disorders houses an augmentative and alternative communication laboratory.
• Other facilities in the School for Communicative Disorders include hearing aid labs, an anatomy and physiology laboratory, and a speech and hearing science laboratory.  The speech and hearing science laboratory is well equipped and contains a variety of instrumentation which can be utilized clinically and academically.  

Essential Abilities for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Listed below are the essential abilities that someone who enters the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology must possess and therefore are required of undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Communicative Disorders.  Students who feel they may require accommodations in order to demonstrate these abilities due to a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at UWSP at 715-346-3365.

Physical Abilities

• Participate in classroom or clinical activities for 2-4 hour blocks of time with one or two breaks
• Move independently to, from and within academic/clinical facilities
• Provide for or direct one’s own personal hygiene
• Manipulate screening/diagnostic/therapeutic/educational materials
• Respond to emergency situations including fire, choking and in the application of universal precautions
• Visually monitor client responses and use of materials
• Auditorily monitor and orally model correct speech and language production

Interpersonal Abilities

• Work effectively with people 
• Make appropriate decisions, including the ability to evaluate and generalize appropriately without immediate supervision
• Understand and respect authority
• Maintain appropriate work place behavior, including punctuality and regular attendance
• Maintain composure in demanding situations
• Complete responsibilities promptly and according to instructions
• Maintain appropriate relationships with clients, students, instructors/supervisors, and colleagues
• Communicate effectively with people in person, by telephone, and in written form by considering the communication needs and cultural values of the listener

Speech/Language and Cognitive Abilities

• Comprehend and read professional literature/reports
• Write university level papers and clinical/educational reports in Standard

American English

• Speak Standard American English intelligibly, including the ability to model English phonemes, grammatical features, or other aspects of speech and language
• Independently analyze, synthesize, interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings
• Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities: typically 2-4 hours with 1-2 breaks
• Schedule and prioritize activities, and provide documentation in a timely manner
• Comply with administrative, legal and regulatory policies within the School of Communicative Disorders and in off-campus practicum and externship sites
• Comply with rules and instructions of faculty/staff within the School of Communicative Disorders and of off-campus practicum and externship site supervisors and staff

If you would like to review more information about the graduate program in the School of Communicative Disorders, please click on the following links:

Requirements for the Clinical Doctorate in Audiology
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program: Probable Sequence
Audiology Program: Probable Sequence