The Master of Science (M.S.) education program (residential) in Speech-Language Pathology at Old Dominion University 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, Maryland 20850, phone: 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700).
In compliance with federal disclosure regulations, the ODU M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program meets the educational requirements for professional speech-language pathology licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Learn about licensure in other states.
The master's program itself consists of a minimum of 38 hours of coursework in such varied areas as stuttering, AAC, aphasia, child language disorders and voice disorders, evidence-based research, among others, and 15 credits of clinical practica/externships. All program graduates complete the clinical practicum requirements stipulated by ASHA in a variety of schools, clinics, hospitals, medical centers, rehabilitation institutions, and private practice settings which provide plentiful and high-quality clinical experiences. The graduate program also requires the completion of a written comprehensive examination as a summative assessment.
To be eligible to apply, applicants to the Speech-Language Pathology M.S. Program must have an earned degree anticipated in the next semester with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.80. Applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree in another field should complete speech-language pathology prerequisite coursework before applying to the Masters program.
Applications to the ODU Speech-Language Pathology program take place through Communication Sciences and Disorders Central Application System (CSDCAS). All documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay) are to be submitted to CSDCAS. CSDCAS requires applicants to pay $100 for one application and $45 for each additional application submitted through the system. Old Dominion University Graduate Admissions will access student's information in CSDCAS. An additional application fee is required by Old Dominion University.
Please Note: For the 2024 Admission cycle, no GRE scores are required.
Program Requirements
All students who have met prerequisite requirements must complete a minimum of 53 semester hours of graduate study in speech-language pathology. Students are expected to satisfy all professional, academic, and clinical requirements and demonstrate professional, ethical, and interactive behaviors commensurate with the standards of the profession.
Undergraduate SLP Majors (and students who have completed leveling courses to meet undergraduate core course requirements):
- 38 credits academic
- 15 credits clinical
- Time to completion: 6 semesters
Accreditation
Program Mission & Goals
The mission of the School of Speech-Language Pathology is to prepare professional speech-language pathologists to work in a variety of clinical settings serving diverse client populations. The program nurtures culturally-responsive practice, interprofessional collaborations, and adherence to the principles of evidence-based practice.
- Meet ASHA requirements, and state licensure and certification requirements.
- Attain knowledge regarding prevention, screening, assessment, identification, and treatment of a wide variety of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
- Understand the social and cultural bases of speech, language, and swallowing behaviors.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional practice competencies in communication, accountability and ethics, interprofessional collaboration, and culturally-sustaining practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of trends and issues in the profession by reading and interpreting research for evidence-based practice.
- Understand professional trends, contemporary issues, and the need for advocacy related to the profession.
- Meet ASHA’s clinical requirements as well as requirements for state licensure and national certification.
- Conduct closely supervised, competency-based clinical activities for screening, prevention, identification, assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders in a variety of clinical settings across the lifespan.
- Demonstrate highest standards of professional, ethical, clinical behavior.
- Engage in culturally-responsive practices and interprofessional collaborations.
- Sentara Healthcare
- Riverside Health System Hospitals
- Bay Pointe Kindred Healthcare
- Nansemond Pointe Kindred Healthcare
- Kempsville Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Carrington Place
- Rehabilitation Associates
- Physiotherapy Associates
- Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters
- Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System
- Signature Health Care-Harbour Pointe
- Autumn Care Suffolk
- Medical Facilities of America
- Fox Rehabilitation
- Southeastern Physical Therapy
- Tidewater Therapy for Children
- Virginia Innovative Therapy Associates Limited
- More Than Words
Complaints and concerns are taken very seriously. Briefly, to address any complaints, students or patrons may present those concerns directly to the following persons in order:
- Instructor/Clinical Educator
- Program Director
- Chair of Speech-Language Pathology
- Dean of College of Health Sciences
- Provost
- President
The current university procedure for graduate students to address those complaints can be found on the ODU website. Concerns pertaining to professional and program issues may be presented to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (phone: 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700).
- Meet ASHA requirements, and state licensure and certification requirements.
- Attain knowledge regarding prevention, screening, assessment, identification, and treatment of a wide variety of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
- Understand the social and cultural bases of speech, language, and swallowing behaviors.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional practice competencies in communication, accountability and ethics, interprofessional collaboration, and culturally-sustaining practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of trends and issues in the profession by reading and interpreting research for evidence-based practice.
- Understand professional trends, contemporary issues, and the need for advocacy related to the profession.
- Meet ASHA’s clinical requirements as well as requirements for state licensure and national certification.
- Conduct closely supervised, competency-based clinical activities for screening, prevention, identification, assessment and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders in a variety of clinical settings across the lifespan.
- Demonstrate highest standards of professional, ethical, clinical behavior.
- Engage in culturally-responsive practices and interprofessional collaborations.
- Sentara Healthcare
- Riverside Health System Hospitals
- Bay Pointe Kindred Healthcare
- Nansemond Pointe Kindred Healthcare
- Kempsville Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Carrington Place
- Rehabilitation Associates
- Physiotherapy Associates
- Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters
- Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System
- Signature Health Care-Harbour Pointe
- Autumn Care Suffolk
- Medical Facilities of America
- Fox Rehabilitation
- Southeastern Physical Therapy
- Tidewater Therapy for Children
- Virginia Innovative Therapy Associates Limited
- More Than Words
Complaints and concerns are taken very seriously. Briefly, to address any complaints, students or patrons may present those concerns directly to the following persons in order:
- Instructor/Clinical Educator
- Program Director
- Chair of Speech-Language Pathology
- Dean of College of Health Sciences
- Provost
- President
The current university procedure for graduate students to address those complaints can be found on the ODU website. Concerns pertaining to professional and program issues may be presented to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (phone: 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700).