In addition to the University of Iowa's Regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the Master of Science (MS) education program in Speech Language Pathology {residential} at the University of Iowa is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa uses an expert model and team approach to clinical education. Each student typically rotates through six specialty-based clinical teams. These teams may include Aural Rehabilitation, Early Childhood, General Speech and Language Disorders including a focus on autism, Acquired Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders, AAC, Voice Disorders, and Fluency Disorders. These teams are led by UI CSD clinical faculty at the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic. Students typically obtain 175 to 200 hours of supervision from UI CSD faculty prior to outplacements. This one-on-one teaching model is intended to help students develop clinical skills including client-centered interactions, critical thinking skills and clinical decision making. To learn more about our clinical areas, visit the Clinical Services section.

During the summer sessions, there are a number of intensive therapy programs held at the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic. All students participate in UI SHINE, a program for kids and teens who stutter or those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students assigned to the Aural Rehabilitation summer team may participate in Communication Explorers, a joint program with SLP and AuD students working together to treat preschool-aged children with hearing loss. During the summer sessions, other students may rotate through the Social Climbers program or one of the Language and Literacy Clubs, focused on pragmatic language skills or literacy skills.

All students engage in Inter-professional Education (IPE) activities during their two-year MS program, through large group and small group activities in collaboration with students in Audiology, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Medical Education, and the Physician Assistant programs.

Because the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Clinic is a billing clinic, students are trained in current billing procedures, diagnosis and treatment coding, and advocacy strategies for clinical services.

Outplacement Opportunities

Students have the option for a part-time mini-outplacement in the fall semester of their second year. All students complete two full-time 8-week outplacements in the spring semester of their second year. 

We currently have contracts with over 100 clinical sites. Students work with the Clinical Director to arrange their spring outplacement experiences. Here are a few examples of sites where we have placed students:

Locally

• University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City, Iowa)
• Veterans Administration Medical Center (Iowa City, Iowa)
• Area Education Agency school district (Iowa City, Coralville, and Williamsburg, Iowa)
• Child Serve and Enrichment Center (Iowa City or Coralville, Iowa)
• On With Life (Coralville, Iowa)
• Center for Development and Disabilities (CDD), Iowa City, Iowa

Nationally

• Blain Block Institute for Voice (Dayton, Ohio)
• Cincinnati Children’s hospital (Cincinnati, Oh)
• Encompass Rehab (several locations in the country)
• Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital (Lincoln or Omaha, Nebraska)
• Mayo Clinics (Jacksonville, Florida)
• Mercy hospitals (Des Moines, Iowa)
• On With Life (Des Moines, Iowa)
• Private practices across the country
• School districts across the country
• Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (Chicago, IL)
• Stanford Hospitals and Clinics (Stanford, California)

Building a sense of community is an important goal of our program. Incoming MS students participate in a one week “boot camp” prior to the first semester of classes. The purpose of this camp is to obtain initial instruction in foundations of clinical practice, get oriented to the clinic, and participate in social events which are organized to help the students get to know each other and the faculty. Community building continues with our Camp Wapsi event, which is generally scheduled during the first month of the first semester.  This two-day event, filled with team building experiences, is held at a local YMCA camp and is attended by first and second year Speech Pathology and Audiology students and faculty.  

Many graduate students become active members of the UI NSSLHA group. Our departmental group has consistently earned GOLD chapter honors from ASHA, due to its work in advocacy, philanthropy, and professional development. Students have the opportunity to attend the state ISHA convention during their first Fall semester in the program and the ASHA convention during their second Fall semester.

All students in the Master of Science in the Speech Language Pathology program are trained in multilingualism and culturally responsive clinical practice. These topics are integral components of required courses, including the Foundations course series [CSD:5138/5136/5137], Counseling [CSD:5203], and Language Disorders in School-Aged Children [CSD:5104].

Students who wish to maximize their preparation to provide culturally and linguistically responsive speech and language assessment and support for bilingual/multilingual children can include the following academic courses among their electives:

The Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology also provides many opportunities for direct clinical experience with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Students interested in this area should indicate their preference when planning internship and externship experiences with the Director of Clinical Programs.

Students in good standing may earn a Certificate in Multilingualism and Culturally Responsive Practice; see details.

Contact Philip Combiths with questions about Multilingualism and Culturally Responsive Practice.

The MS program generally requires two years/five semesters to complete: Year 1: Fall, Spring Summer; Year 2: Fall, Spring. For updated information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, visit the UI General Catalog.

Entering MS students will be reviewed for the completion of ASHA Prerequisites that are required preparation for the MS program and the MS clinical courses. The department may accept comparable courses taken at the undergraduate level pending relevant documentation. If you have questions regarding your prerequisite coursework, please contact the department at speech-path-aud@uiowa.edu

Once the required coursework is completed, students are able to customize their program by selecting from a wide range of elective coursework to prepare for a future career in a variety of professional settings. 

All students complete a seminar in Evidence-Based Practice, which prepares them to be sophisticated consumers of research. In addition, students have the opportunity to pursue a thesis or to work in labs on a semester basis.

Students who wish to maximize their preparation to provide culturally and linguistically responsive speech and language assessment and support for bilingual/multilingual children can add the Certificate in Multilingualism and Culturally Responsive Practice or register for elective coursework.

A current listing of coursework and course descriptions for the MS degree are available in the UI General Catalog.

The MS degree is primarily a clinical degree. However, as a practicing clinician, it is important to be able to critically read and integrate information from professional journals. All MS students are required to complete the Evidence-Based Practice Seminar. This course provides an introduction to the design and conduct of research and evidence-based clinical practice in the field.

Students also have the opportunity to pursue an MS thesis project under the direction of a faculty member. CSD faculty engage in a wide range of research; see the our Research pages for more details. Examples of recently completed theses include: "Comparing Satisfaction with Social Networks of Adults with and without Aphasia," "Effects of Fitzmaurice Voicework on the Voices of Graduate Student Actors," and "Co-speech Gesture Integration in Hippocampal Amnesia."