Curriculum for the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program is designed to be completed in two years — including one summer with a common entry point in the fall. Exceptions to these timelines may occur on an individual basis.

The master’s degree program requires a minimum of 57 semester credit hours for completion.

The following degree plan applies to students entering the program Fall 2026. For past degree plans, please refer to previous academic catalogs.

Year One Fall

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50101	Introduction to Clinical Methods and Writing	1
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 50933	Apashia	3
CSDI 51153	Pediatric Language Disorders	3
CSDI 51833	Spoken Sound Disorders	3
CSDI 53502	Voice Disorders	2
CSDI 55501	First Year Clinical Rotation	1
Total Hours		14

Year One Spring

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50133	Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice	3
CSDI 50201	Intermediate Clinical Methods and Writing	1
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 51252	Pediatric Language Disorders II	2
CSDI 51902	Motor Speech Disorders	2
CSDI 52133	Dysphagia	3
CSDI 52701	Principles of Assessment in Speech Pathology	1
CSDI 55501	First Year Clinical Rotation	1
Total Hours		14

Year One Summer

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50301	Advanced Clinical Methods and Writing	1
CSDI 50402	Augmentative and Alternative Communication	2
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 51632	Aural Rehabilitation for SLP	2
CSDI 5200V or 5363V	Thesis or Applications in Research and Leadership	1
CSDI 55501	First Year Clinical Rotation	1
Total Hours		8

Year Two Fall

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 51143	Cognitive Communication Disorders	3
CSDI 51202	Fluency Disorders	2
CSDI 51702	Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology	2
CSDI 5200V or 5363V	Thesis or Applications in Research and Leadership	1
CSDI 52903	Culturally Responsive Practice	2
CSDI 55502	Second Year Clinical Rotation	2
Total Hours		13

Year Two Spring

This semester gives students the option of completing a thesis or independent research. Students who choose the independent research option will also need to select two elective courses.

Thesis Option

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 51502	Ethics and Professional Issues	2
CSDI 55501	Second Year Clinical Rotation	2
CSDI 5200V	Thesis (no elective needed)	3
Total Hours		8

Independent Research Option

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 50501	Clinical Seminar	1
CSDI 51502	Ethics and Professional Issues	2
CSDI 55501	Second Year Clinical Rotation	2
CSDI 5363V	Independent Research (select two electives)	1
Elective Courses	See Options Below	2
Total Hours		8

Electives

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
CSDI 51401	Multilingualism in Clinical Practice	1
CSDI 5203V	Topics in Speech-Language Pathology	1
CSDI 52601	Genetic Syndromes in Communication and Swallowing Disorders	1
CSDI 52801	Literacy Disorders in Speech Pathology	1
CSDI 5304V	Independent Study (LEND students only), Sec 01	1
CSDI 5304V	Independent Study, Sec 02	1
CSDI 53501	Medical Speech-Language Pathology	1

Curriculum Summary

Semester	Hours
Year One Fall	14
Year One Spring	14
Year One Summer	8
Year Two Fall	13
Year Two Spring	8
Total Program Hours	57

Students will demonstrate mastery by earning grades of B or better in all courses. Students must also maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing. While students can progress in the program after earning a C in a course, they will have to complete a remediation plan to demonstrate competence in the content for that course. 

Consequences for not meeting these requirements are on a case-by-case basis as reviewed by the academic and clinical faculty, which may include repeating courses, academic probation and remediation or dismissal from the program.

The program academic handbook should be consulted for more specific information. 

All students in the UAMS College of Health Professions must complete all Interprofessional Education activities.

Learn more about UAMS Interprofessional Education.

Students must meet the following requirements to complete the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program.

• Complete all work within eight calendar years of initial admission.
• Pass all required courses in the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Complete Interprofessional Education requirements.
• All students must pass a written, comprehensive examination which assesses the theory and knowledge of academic and clinical preparation deemed essential for entry level into the profession of speech-language pathology.
• As a capstone presentation, each student must present a diagnostic and / or treatment case during Grand Rounds.
• As part of their clinical training, each student is required to complete a minimum of 375 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (plus 25 observation hours). Of those hours, a minimum of 325 hours must be at the graduate level. A maximum of 75 clock hours can be obtained through clinical simulations. Additionally, students must demonstrate evidence of knowledge and skill mastery across the scope of practice as required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s 2020 Standards.

The list of required textbooks is published on the UAMS Bookstore website in compliance with Arkansas Code Annotated section 6-60-601.