The St. Ambrose University Pre-professional Speech-Language Pathology Program offers an undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders minor. This minor provides a student with background in communication sciences and disorders and serves as a foundation for application to a graduate speech-language pathology program. The Communication Sciences and Disorders minor consists of seven courses as well as opportunities for direct clinical experiences.
Entry-level practice in speech-language pathology requires a graduate degree. Application to graduate programs in the U.S. requires completion of at least one course in biological science, physical science (Chemistry or Physics course), social or behavioral science, and statistics.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) the employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 21% from 2021 to 2031. The Bureau states that this is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS states, "About 14,000 openings for speech-language pathologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Ambrose Advantages
- Have the flexibility to minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a major of your choice and expand your career opportunities
- Courses are taught by practicing speech-language pathologists and audiologists as well as MSLP faculty allowing you to develop and maintain mentor relationships throughout your undergraduate and graduate experience.
- Seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate education
- Start your graduate studies with a built in breadth of knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on speech-language pathology
- Gain hands-on experience providing speech-language pathology services to clients through our 6-week summer clinic elective
- Pathway for becoming a bilingual speech-language pathologist with study abroad opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Program Information
Students generally begin taking these courses during their sophomore or junior years. The EDCOMM 325 Introduction to Speech Pathology course is offered each semester. Each of the six undergraduate MSLP courses are offered every other year.
- EDCOMM-325 - Introduction to Speech Pathology
- Offered annually fall and spring semesters
- Wednesday night class
- MSLP 400 - Phonetics
- May 2024, May 2026, May 2028
- Course is three weeks and begins the Monday following the end of spring semester
- MSLP 420 - Articulation and Phonological Disorders
- Fall 2024, Fall 2026, Fall 2028
- Monday night class
- MSLP 410 - Neurology, Anatomy, and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
- Fall 2025, Fall 2027, Fall 2029
- Monday night class
- MSLP 430 - Speech and Hearing Science
- May 2025, May 2027, May 2029
- Course is three weeks and begins the Monday following the end of spring semester
- MSLP 450 - Language Development and Disorders
- Spring 2024, Spring 2026, Spring 2028
- Monday night class
- MSLP 440 - Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation
- Spring 2025, Spring 2027, Spring 2029
- Online asynchronous class
Sample Schedule
| Semester and Year | Course *All minor courses are 3 credits |
| Fall - Year 2 | EDCOMM-325 Introduction to Speech Pathology |
| Spring - Year 2 | MSLP 440 Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation |
| Summer - Year 2 | MSLP 430 Speech and Hearing Science |
| Fall - Year 3 | MSLP 410 Neurology, Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms |
| Spring - Year 3 | MSLP 450 Language Development and Disorders |
| Summer - Year 3 | MSLP 400 Phonetics |
| Fall - Year 4 | MSLP 420 Articulation and Phonological Disorders (requisite is MSLP 400) |
| Spring - Year 4 | MSLP 440 Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation |
Students completing this minor will have developed:
Knowledge and critical thinking about basic human communication and swallowing processes including knowledge of:
- Anatomy and physiology of speech, language, and swallowing
- Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology related to speech, language, cognition, and swallowing
- Typical speech sound production (phonetics) and the transcription of both typical and disordered speech
- Acoustic and physiological analysis of typical and disordered speech production and speech perception
- Typical speech, language, literacy development
- Typical hearing and the interaction and interdependence of speech, language, and hearing, and
- Understanding of the scope of speech-language pathology and audiology practice, and speech and hearing science, as well as
- Introductory knowledge of principles of prevention, assessment, and intervention of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders across the life span.
The Early Decision Pathway for the St. Ambrose University Master Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP)program is for high school seniors and first year students wanting to continue at SAU for their master's degree in speech-language pathology. By starting at St. Ambrose as an undergraduate student, you will have the advantage of a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate education. You''ll also have two academic advisors: one for your undergraduate major and one in the MSLP program.
For program eligibility and requirements please see the following:
Early Decision Pathway for High School Seniors and First Year SAU Students (.pdf)