Speech Language Pathology Graduate Program

The Division of Communication Disorders is an accredited graduate program by the Council ofAcademic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).  

In our speech language pathology graduate program, you will study academic and clinical aspects of the field concurrently, applying what you have learned in your academic work to the clients you diagnose and treat, and applying to your academic coursework knowledge gained and questions raised in clinical experiences. Our program provides the academic and clinical requirements needed for ASHA certification as helping you become a well-rounded speech-language pathologist able to work in any setting.

In your path to becoming a speech-language pathologist, you will learn about communication difficulties, such as voice disorders, phonology problems, stuttering, language impairments, and reading disabilities. You will learn about communication and swallowing difficulties associated with neurological disorders such as stroke, head injury, and cerebral palsy. You will work with people across the lifespan, from infants to seniors; in diverse settings, including schools, preschools, hospitals, extended care centers, universities, and private practice. You will learn to diagnose speech and language disorders in children and adults, make recommendations for remediation, and provide direct intervention. You can work with researchers investigating the nature and treatment of communication disorders, and conduct your own thesis research to learn about and gain skills in the world of research.

The Master's in Speech-Language Pathology is a two-year degree consisting of 54 or 57 semester credit hours of graduate course work. This comprises 34 SCH in academic courses, 20 SCH in clinical practice, and either 1 SCH of Oral Comprehensive Examination or 4 SCH of Thesis. Students in graduate school for speech language pathology enroll in three courses per semester for three semesters while also engaging in clinical experiences. They also take intensive coursework in the first summer. During the spring and early summer of the second year, they engage in two full-time twelve-week clinical externships in medical and educational settings. These usually occur away from Laramie, allowing students to learn from a wide range of clinical experiences and follow specialized interests. Practica occur throughout the U.S. (and occasionally in Canada), at sites for which we have contracts or can set them up, with consideration of student needs and preferences. However, the implementation of the Higher Education Act- State Authorization has affected clinical practica choices.  At this time, the Division of  Communication Disorders will not be placing students in clinical practica in the states listed on the Distance Study description.  We have adopted this policy to comply with regulations in these states.