College of MedicineSpeech and Hearing SciencesMS SHSGraduate Handbook

Graduate Handbook

Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Updated August 2024.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The faculty of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences extends a warm welcome to you to our master’s program. The department is part of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane, Washington, one of 6 campuses of Washington State University. WSU is a public land-grant research university that was founded in 1890. The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine was founded in 2015.  The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences was established at WSU in 1925, the same year in which the American Speech-Language Hearing Association began its roots as a professional organization, at that time known as the “American Academy of Speech Correction”.  

The department offers a baccalaureate degree (B.A.) and a terminal master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. The master’s program is accredited by the Council of Academic Accreditation of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Completion of the master’s degree fulfills academic and clinical requirements for obtaining professional credentials in speech-language pathology from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (certification of clinical competence), the Washington State Department of Health (state licensure), and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (educational staff associate (ESA) certification). Completion of an ASHA accredited program is a requirement for licensure, and state licensure requirements will vary state to state.

It takes most graduate students 5 to 6 semesters to complete the program. Graduates of the program are prepared to practice in a wide variety of settings, including public and private schools, early intervention facilities and preschools, hospitals, rehabilitations and skilled nursing facilities, and private practices. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders across the life span and to work with people of different cultural backgrounds.

This handbook provides you with important information about our program and the academic and clinical requirements and policies. You should carefully read and know its content, as it will likely answer most of your questions. The policies and procedures of our program supplement policies of the graduate school of Washington State University.

The Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences is dedicated to the principles of person- and family-centered care in accord with ASHA and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. For further detail, please refer to the College’s policy website.

We are pleased to welcome you to our Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Your decision to join us marks the beginning of an exciting journey, not just for you, but for the academic community at WSU Health Sciences Spokane. We look forward to your unique perspectives, and the enthusiasm you bring to our student cohort and department. Welcome, and here’s to the start of an inspiring and transformative experience together!

Enrollment Prerequisites

As part of certification requirements by the American Speech Language Hearing Association, all students must have taken courses in the following fields, prior to enrollment in the graduate program.

  • Biological sciences coursework provides knowledge in areas related to human or animal sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science).
  • Chemistry or physics coursework provides foundational knowledge in the areas below.
    • Chemistry: Substances and compounds composed of atoms and molecules, and their structure, properties, behavior, as well as the changes that occur during reactions with other compounds. This knowledge contributes to better acquisition and synthesis of the underlying processes of speech and hearing science.
    • Physics: Matter, energy, motion, and force. This knowledge contributes to better appreciation of the role of physics in everyday experiences and in today’s society and technology.
  • Social/behavioral sciences coursework provides knowledge in the analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through controlled and naturalistic observation and disciplined scientific experimentation.
  • Statistics coursework focuses on learning from data and measuring, controlling, and communicating uncertainty. It provides the navigation essential for controlling the course of scientific and societal advances.
  • Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology

In addition,

  1. A bachelor’s degree from within the discipline of speech-language pathology
  2. Students with a bachelor’s degree in another field must have successfully completed the following courses or equivalents:*
    • Language Development (SHS 371)
    • Hearing and Hearing Disorders (SHS 372)
    • Phonetics (SHS 375)
    • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech & Swallowing Mechanism (SHS 377)
    • Aural Rehabilitation (SHS 477)
    • Neuroanatomy (SHS 479)
    • Speech Sound Disorders (SHS 376)
    • Speech and Hearing Sciences (SHS 378)
    • Clinical Methods (SHS 461)
    • Language Impairment (SHS 478)
  3. Students who transfer from another accredited graduate program without having completed their master’s degree, may transfer classes taken within the past six years with the approval of the Speech and Hearing Sciences Graduate Program Director and the faculty. Students must have received a grade of B or higher in these classes at an accredited program. In all transfer cases, the number of such credit hours is limited to no more than half of the total graded course credits required by the program that is listed on the Program of Study. https://gradschool.wsu.edu/documents/2015/09/transfer-policy.pdf/

General Procedures

The Washington State University Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences trains students who have the capability to become highly competent speech-language pathologist who provide personalized and compassionate evidenced-based care to individuals across the lifespan. As an accredited speech and hearing sciences program, the Washington State University curriculum in Speech and Hearing Sciences adheres to the standards and guidelines of the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

Our students are representatives of the WSU Speech and Hearing Sciences Department both during on- or off-campus activities and are expected to follow appropriate standards of conduct which are prescribed in accordance with University regulations and policies. Any conduct by a speech-language pathology graduate student shall be reviewed in accordance with University regulations and policies as well as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Code of Ethics. Students are expected to know and abide by the Code of Ethics at all times throughout their program of study.In addition, students are held accountable for following the guidelines and policies within the WSU Graduate school.

Admission and retention decisions are based not only on satisfactory academic achievement but also on other factors, including professionalism and the performance of the essential functions of the program. All students admitted to the Speech and Hearing Sciences graduate program are required to read and sign the “Essential Functions of Education: Admissions, Retention, and Graduation Standards” document indicating his/her ability to meet the standards of our program, with or without accommodations. Once enrolled, students must abide by these Speech and Hearing Sciences specifications for essential behaviors and abilities for continuation and graduation in their respective graduate programs. Please see the departmental/student agreement regarding essential functions, found in Part II, Clinical Handbook. Upon matriculation into the program students will review this document and be expected to sign the document in line with essential functions required for participation in the WSU Speech and Hearing Sciences clinical education program.

Organizational Structure of the Department

The Chair of Speech and Hearing Sciences Department is the administrator responsible for matters pertaining to graduate study. The primary responsibility of the department chair is to maintain and deliver the SHS academic program in accordance with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation.

The Director of On-Site Speech-Language Pathology Services oversees all clinical operations within the WSU Speech-Language Pathology Services clinic. This includes developing and maintaining clinical programming and overseeing student clinical hours and competencies for students on site at the campus-based WSU clinic.

The Director of Off-Site Speech-Language Pathology Services oversees all clinical operations for outside placements during student practica and internship. This includes managing all practicum placements and internships, serving as the department and university liaison to coordinate the negotiation of contract affiliations with sites, developing and maintaining clinical programming, and overseeing student clinical hours and competencies for students training at off-site clinical placements.

The Graduate Program Director serves as the primary academic advisor for all graduate students, oversees and manages the graduate admissions process, and verifies academic and clinical competencies for graduation, oversees course roster and offerings for the master level program, monitors reporting of annual progress for each student in the graduate program, mediates student grievances, and serves as the program representative to the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 

Academic Coordinator: The academic coordinator is a staff position that assists the department chair, all program directors, and faculty with the administration of the graduate program. The academic coordinator provides administrative support and coordinates daily activities and information with the Graduate School and processing forms and maintaining student records within myWSU. The academic coordinator often supports graduate students by providing information and guidance on program requirements and deadlines. The academic coordinator is available to you as a student to ensure you are enrolled in the right classes, and have the required credits listed within your program of study. 

To Address Questions, Suggestions, Concerns, and Complaints

  1. First Step: The first step in resolving a question, a concern, a suggestion, or a complaint is open communication. A student who has concerns with some aspect of the Program should first have a discussion with the faculty member most directly involved with that aspect of the Program and explore options for a satisfactory resolution. An unsatisfactory outcome can always be brought before the next-higher administrative level.
  2. Second Step: If, after discussing the concern with the program faculty member involved, a successful resolution is not forthcoming, a student should speak with the Graduate Program Director. The Graduate Program Director serves as the primary advisor for all students in our graduate program and will work with you to address your questions/concerns or direct you to the appropriate person based on the nature of your concern (e.g., academic, clinical, off-site, or administrative). The Graduate Program Director’s role is to assure students are matriculating through the program following university policies, program requirements, and to offer support when needed if there is an individual concern in this regard.
  3. Third Step: If, after discussing the concern with the Graduate Program Director, the issue remains unresolved, the student could bring the matter to the attention of the Chair of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. In some instances, the Graduate Program Director may advocate on your behalf and encourage you to set up a meeting with the Chair, if that would be helpful to address the concern.

*In the event you are struggling at any point during your academic program, have a need to modify your participation in the program due to extenuating circumstances, or you have a medical need, you are advised to consult with the graduate program director early in the process to determine next steps.

Grading Policies

Required Coursework Grades

Instructors use a variety of formative and summative methods to assess whether a student has met the learning objectives for a course. Instructors also use a variety of support approaches when a student has difficulty meeting an objective. For all academic courses in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, a grade of B- or above indicates that the learning objectives and KASA requirements for the course have been met and that a student is ready to participate in associated practicum experiences. If the student receives a grade of C+ or lower, the course instructor has the right to require the student to remediate or retake all or part of the course. This may require the student to re-enroll and pay for the course a second time.

For scholarly activities in SHS 702, a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade will be assigned for each semester based on the student’s performance in meeting the requirements agreed upon by the faculty and the student. If the student fails to complete and/or meet the faculty expectations for their project by the end of the semester, the student will be assigned an Unsatisfactory grade. Two U grades for 702 credits will lead to dismissal from the program. In extenuating circumstances, faculty may use the X grade to indicate continuing progress toward completion of those requirements. The X grade should be changed when the faculty member determines that the student has successfully met the requirements for that semester; the X grades should be changed by the faculty to a S/U grade no later than the last semester of study

Clinic Grades

Detailed explanation of student expectations, grading scale, and timeline regarding feedback on progress given by clinical educators are provided within the On-Site & Off-Site Clinic Handbooks.

Annual Review

Academic and clinical standing is formally assessed annually for our graduate students. Each student’s academic and clinical performance and progress will be reviewed by the faculty, graduate program director, director of off-site programs, director of clinical education, and the department chair. Supervising clinicians will also be asked for input on performance and progress. If any concerns regarding a student’s performance and/or progress are reported (academic, clinical, professional, etc.), the student is informed of the results of the review in writing. In the event of failing to meet expectations as reported by any faculty member, the student will receive notification of the concern and be required to meet with the Department Chair to discuss the concern, and a plan to address the concern in order to continue successful progression through the program.

Program of Study

General university requirements toward completing a master’s degree at Washington State University and for submitting a program of study are found in the graduate school guidelines.

All students completing a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences are required to submit a program of study which outlines the required coursework as outlined on the department website at the time of your matriculation into the program, including the timeline in which courses will be taken and completed. Students must enroll in 1 credit of SHS702 each semester and enroll in 2 credits of SHS702 for the semester in which they plan to defend.

Considerations Before Completing the Program of Study

Graduate students in the SHS Department have the option of completing a thesis, non-thesis research project, or a comprehensive clinical case defense. In conjunction with the Chair of your committee, the decision is typically confirmed by the end of the first semester, as to whether you will be conducting research or opt for the clinical case defense. Committees are assigned by the department. Chairs are determined based on a) faculty sponsorship if you are conducting research, or b) a department faculty member is assigned to you.

Submitting the Program of Study

The graduate level academic coordinator from the Dept of SHS will assist you in submitting the program of study to the graduate school. This is typically done by the second semester of your graduate program. A template form is completed which outlines your courses, credits enrolled, and anticipated graduation date. All members of your committee approve and sign your program of study prior to submission.

Graduate Exam

Scheduling the Graduate Exam/Defense

General university requirements indicate that the student is responsible for completing the Scheduling Exam Form and obtaining committee signatures. The scheduling exam form must be completed and submitted to the graduate school no later than 10 business days prior to the proposed date of the examination or ballot meeting for a first attempt. See university guidelines regarding the final exam on pages 72 – 74 of the WSU graduate student handbook.

In the Department of SHS, you may not schedule your defense nor submit your exam scheduling form until you have the committee Chair’s permission to move forward with scheduling with the committee. Once a date is confirmed by the committee, you will work with the SHS graduate level academic coordinator, who will assist you in filing the paperwork with the graduate school.

There are three options for defending the Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences:

  • Option A: Non-Thesis Case Study Defense
  • Option B: Non-Thesis Research Project
  • Option C: Thesis Research

Section 6a of this handbook provides some general guidelines and the timeline related to the SHS Non-Thesis Case Study Defense and requirements.

The Knowledge and Assessment of Skills (KASA)

ASHA’s Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association created their 2020 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. The assessment of knowledge and skills document identifies learning objectives that each student must successfully demonstrate before graduating from the program.

The graduate director reviews progress towards these knowledge and standards with each student each semester, but the student is responsible for checking on the currency and the accuracy of the records. Students should also maintain a record of their graduate work that demonstrates their acquisition of knowledge and scale skills. Examples of evidence include syllabi, graded projects, drafts of written reports, and work examples. Students may pass a course without meeting all learning objectives; however, program graduation necessitates meeting grade requirements, demonstrating competencies, and fulfilling all standards and objectives. These objectives are integrated into course syllabi, with specific identification of objectives in each graduate-level course. If an objective is not met, remediation is required, and tailored by the instructor. In many cases, although remediation may be demonstrated in line with KASA standards and course expectations/objectives, the grade for the course may not change as a result of remediation.

The Standards for the CCC-SLP are below. Please read the descriptions of these standards here:

  • Standard I—Degree
  • Standard II—Education Program
  • Standard III—Program of Study
  • Standard IV—Knowledge Outcomes
  • Standard V—Skills Outcomes
  • Standard VI—Assessment
  • Standard VII—Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellowship
  • Standard VIII—Maintenance of Certification

Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2018). 2020 Standards for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

ASHA Certification

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence Requirements

ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence requires that you accrue a minimum of 400 hours of direct, supervised clinical contact during your education. Twenty-five hours of observations may be counted towards the 400 and must be accrued before graduation (i.e., students spend at least 25 hours observing clinical service delivery under the guidance of a licensed and ASHA certified SLP). Per ASHA’s recommendation, the 25 hours of guided observation are typically completed at the undergraduate level before you begin your master’s degree, as they are important preparatory experience for graduate school. Students may still be in the process of completing observation hours when submitting applications to graduate school, but most SLP programs require completion of all 25 hours before engaging in graduate clinical work. A total of 325 of the hours must be accrued at the graduate level. Up to 20% (i.e., 75 hours) of direct contact hours may be obtained through clinical simulation (CS) methods. Only the time spent in active engagement with CS may be counted. CS may include the use of standardized patients and simulation technologies (e.g., standardized patients, virtual patients, digitized mannequins, immersive reality, task trainers, computer-based interactive). Debriefing activities may not be included as clinical clock hours.

It is essential that you assume responsibility for keeping track of the hours you accumulate during each clinical practicum.

For ASHA certification, you are required to demonstrate competency across nine different disorders, across the lifespan, and with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. There are no requirements to obtain a set number of hours with any particular type of disorder. The competencies used to evaluate your skills are in each of the syllabi used in your academic and clinical courses. Competency may be demonstrated through direct client contact OR successful completion of academic coursework through examinations, independent studies, and application of clinical information (case studies). Clinical competency with evaluation and treatment must be demonstrated in each of the nine areas within the scope of practice:

  • Articulation/Phonology
  • Voice/Resonance
  • Fluency
  • Swallowing
  • Receptive/Expressive Language
  • Cognitive Aspects of Communication
  • Social Aspects of Communication
  • Communication Modalities
  • Hearing

ASHA requires that you receive practicum-hour credit only for the times when you are directly involved with a client (lesson planning and report writing unfortunately do not count). This includes client contact for intervention or assessment (e.g., talking to the family to gather client history or other important information), client conferences (e.g., IEP meetings, care conferences with the family and/or patient present), and school observations.

Course Work Completion for Certification

  1. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of statistics as well as the biological, physical, and social/behavioral sciences (Standard IV-A). These are prerequisites for the program.
  2. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span (Standard IV-B).
  3. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, and anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following areas:
    • Speech sound production, to encompass articulation, motor planning and execution, phonology, and accent modification
    • Fluency and fluency disorders
    • Voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation
    • Receptive and expressive language, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics (language use and social aspects of communication), prelinguistic communication, paralinguistic communication (e.g., gestures, signs, body language), and literacy in speaking, listening, reading, and writing
    • Hearing, including the impact on speech and language
    • Swallowing/feeding, including (a) structure and function of orofacial myology and (b) oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, pulmonary, esophageal, gastrointestinal, and related functions across the life span
    • Cognitive aspects of communication, including attention, memory, sequencing, problem solving, and executive functioning
    • Social aspects of communication, including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of communication opportunities
    • Augmentative and alternative communication modalities

      Implementation: It is expected that coursework addressing the professional knowledge specified in this standard will occur primarily at the graduate level (Standard IV-C).
  4. The applicant must have demonstrated current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for persons with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates (Standard IV-D).
  5. The applicant must have demonstrated knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice (Standard IV-F).

Praxis Examination for Certification (Standard VI: Assessment):

Toward the end of the graduate student program, the applicant must pass the national examination adopted by ASHA for purposes of certification in speech-language pathology.

Implementation: Results of the Praxis® Examination in Speech-Language Pathology must be submitted directly to ASHA from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The certification standards require that a passing exam score be earned no earlier than 5 years prior to the submission of the application and no later than 2 years following receipt of the application. If the exam is not successfully passed and reported within the 2-year application period, the applicant’s certification file will be closed. If the exam is passed or reported at a later date, then the applicant will be required to reapply for certification under the standards in effect at that time.

Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certificates

In the state of Washington, SLPs need to obtain an ESA certificate from the Office of Superintendent of Public instruction (OSPI)

To apply for this certification you need:

  • Master’s degree in speech-language pathology, audiology, or communication disorders from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Must submit official transcripts showing a degree.
  • Must provide verification of one of the following:
    • Completion of a PESB-approved ESA course. An applicant must have completed before, or within one year after application, a 15-clock hour or 10-semester-hour course approved by the PESB, which will include many topics related to the Educational Staff Associate roles OR
    • Completion of any state’s approved program leading to certification for the school speech-language pathologist/audiologist role Form 4099E OR
    • Three years of out-of-state experience in the school speech-language pathologist/audiologist role 4020F-1
  • Must have successfully completed a written comprehensive exam in the coursework required for the master’s degree. AND
  • Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required if a valid certificate is not already on record.

Department of Health l(DOH) licensure certification:

A license from the DOH is required in the state of Washington to bill insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. You will need to do the following to apply for this license:

Education

Applicants for speech-language pathologist licenses must provide proof of successfully completing a master’s degree program that includes clinical practicum experience.

Postgraduate professional work experience, completion of CF year

Postgraduate professional work experience must be in the field of speech-language pathology. It must be completed over a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience, or a part-time equivalent.

Examination

Speech-language pathologist applicants must pass the national recognized speech-language pathology examination, the PRAXIS examination. Verification must be sent directly from or verified directly with the examination agency.

Agent Registration

Speech-language pathologist applicants must provide the name of a registered agent to accept service of process for any violation of law. 

A workshop regarding these applications will be held during your final semester in the program.