Degree Requirements
Students completing the master’s program will have fulfilled the academic and clinical practice requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and for Maryland licensure. In order to qualify for professional certification, students must also complete basic courses in 4 areas:
- Biological Science - should emphasize a content area related to human or animal sciences—e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science
- Physical Science - acceptable courses include physics or chemistry
- Social/Behavioral Science - acceptable courses include psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health
- Statistics - A stand-alone course is required. Research methodology courses in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) may not be used to satisfy the statistics requirement. A course in biological and physical sciences specifically related to CSD may not be applied for certification purposes to this category unless the course fulfills a university requirement in one of these areas.
Students who have not completed these courses will be required to complete them in addition to the degree requirements of the master’s program. We also recommend taking a technical writing course before entering the master's program.
By the end of the two-year, 5-semester, full-time cohort program, students will have completed a course of study addressing the knowledge and skills pertinent to the field of speech-language pathology. Knowledge and skills addressed cover the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders. These clinical areas encompass: articulation, fluency, voice and resonance, receptive and expressive language in speaking, listening, reading, writing and manual modalities, the impact of hearing on speech and language, swallowing, cognitive aspects of communication, social aspects of communication, and knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication techniques and assistive technologies. In addition to the clinical areas, students will also possess knowledge in the areas of research, contemporary, professional issues, standards of ethical conduct and information on professional credentials.
Internship
The clinical internship occurs during the student’s first year of study (fall, spring, and summer semesters). It is an opportunity to work closely with Loyola’s clinical faculty, developing therapeutic and diagnostic skills. Students are exposed to different disabilities spanning both pediatric and geriatric populations. Students receive pass/fail grades during their clinical internship year as they rotate through different clinical sites (Loyola Clinical Centers at Belvedere Square, and community-based settings) over the course of three semesters.
Typically, each clinical course begins with orientation (1-2 weeks depending on the semester), includes approximately 12 weeks of therapy services, followed by a week to complete written documentation. Student progress is closely monitored, providing weekly feedback and formal conferences at the midterm and again at the end of the semester.
Externship
Second-year students transition from the internship experiences at the Loyola Clinical Centers to externship experiences in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. The goal is to provide a variety of real-world experiences where students integrate information obtained from academic and clinical courses and achieve mastery of clinical skills necessary for the first post-graduate work experience as a Clinical Fellow.
During the externship, students will experience at least two different types of settings or client populations. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded clinical experience to meet and exceed the standards set forth by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Throughout each clinical experience, students gain expertise with clients of different ages, diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and a variety of speech-language and hearing disorders. Students are also engaged in professional report writing, multidisciplinary meetings, parent education, and screenings.
Loyola University Maryland has professional affiliations with many outstanding schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers in the Baltimore area. Clinical affiliations for externship experiences include, but are not limited to, the following facilities:
Schools
- Anne Arundel County Schools
- Baltimore City Schools
- Baltimore County Schools
- Carroll County Schools
- Harford County Schools
- Howard County Schools
- MANSEF Schools
- Phillips School
- Hannah More School
- St. Elizabeth School
- Maryland School for the Blind
- Maryland School for the Deaf
Private Clinical Facilities
- Hearing and Speech Agency of Metropolitan Baltimore
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- School
- Center for Autism
- In-patient Center for TBI and Feeding Disorders
- Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders
- United Cerebral Palsy
Hospitals
- Franklin Square Hospital
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Harbor Hospital
- Health South Rehabilitation Hospital
- Howard County General Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Kernan Hospital
- Laurel Regional Hospital
- Maryland General Hospital
- Mercy Medical Center
- Montgomery General Hospital
- Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital
- North Arundel Hospital
- Sinai Hospital
- St. Agnes Hospital
- Union Memorial Hospital
- University of Maryland Medical System
- University Specialty Hospital
- VA Medical Center
- Sub-Acute Nursing Facilities
- Genesis Rehabilitation Services
- Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center
- Lorien Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers
- Manor Health Services
- Oak Crest Village
All clinical preceptors hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
