Program Mission: With an appropriate undergraduate major in communication disorders and sciences, this program meets the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Speech-Language Pathologist License awarded by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, and the K-12 Educator License (with Illinois State Board of Education endorsement). Candidates meeting these requirements are eligible to practice speech-language pathology in both educational and medical settings.

The program offers a single curriculum that includes both a Traditional Track for candidates studying on campus and a Hybrid Track for place-bound candidates who require online access with some on-campus requirements. The curriculum also offers a Special Topics (non-thesis) Option and a Thesis (research) Option.

Accreditation:  Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in the area of speech-language pathology.

Admission Requirements:  To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  To be eligible for admission to the degree program, applicants must provide the following documentation: 

Traditional Track

• A documented score of the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam;
• At least a 3.00 grade point average (A=4.0) in an undergraduate communication disorders and sciences major.

Hybrid Track

• A documented score of the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam;
• At least a 3.00 grade point average (A=4.0) in an undergraduate communication disorders and sciences major;
• A letter summarizing previous or current relevant work experience with children and/or adults;
• A letter verifying a partnership with a school or clinical setting near the applicant’s area of residence that is willing to provide the clinical experiences required for the CDS 5900 Advanced Clinical Practice.The partnership letter must include evidence of speech-language services to children of varying ages with diverse disorders.

Students from any accredited four-year college or university who have completed the appropriate undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply.  Applicants are advised that admission to the program is competitive and determined by a graduate faculty committee that reviews all applications.  Applicants are further advised that before they are eligible for the Educational Internship (CDS 5970) they must obtain a passing score on the Test of Academic Proficiency.  Details regarding this requirement are outlined in the Degree Requirements section. 

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.