Speech and Hearing Science, On-Campus, M.S.

Program Overview

Mission Statement 

The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Tennessee State University is committed to providing a comprehensive program of academic and clinical instruction across the life span, leading to an applied knowledge of the complex processes underlying human communication.  The faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a strong educational environment which facilitates the acquisition of knowledge and skills, encourages intellectual curiosity, engenders awareness of issues across various populations, and promotes responsible ethical behavior.  The curriculum, consistent with the stated missions of both the University, and the College of Health Sciences, is professionally based preparing its graduates to provide the highest quality assessment and treatment of communication disorders. 

Program Goals  

The goals of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology are to: 

• To recruit, retain, and graduate students admitted into the MS program in Speech and Hearing Science. 

• To increase the performance rate on the Formative Assessment Department Exam to improve student retention of required competencies for the MS degree in Speech and Hearing Science. 

• To increase the passing rate on the PRAXIS Examination is Speech-Language Pathology. 

• To enhance the learning environment through interprofessional education and interprofessional practice. 

• To enhance the learning environment with academic and clinically applicable instructional and virtual technologies. 

• Encourage and promote the development of professional partnerships, community service, and health care delivery. 

Program Outcomes: 

Upon completion of the MS Program in Speech and Hearing Science, graduates will:  

• Be prepared to serve individuals with communication disabilities across the lifespan.  

• Meet the academic and clinical skill outcomes for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence, State Health Board licensure and State Department of Education licensure. 

• Obtain employment as competence speech-language pathologists in educational and health care settings. 

Admission Requirements

The application process for the Tennessee State University (TSU)  MS program in Speech and Hearing Science must be completed through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).  

CSDCAS Application   

Incomplete and unverified applications will not be reviewed. Completed application packets must have the following:  

• An official bachelor’s degree transcript and transcripts from EVERY accredited US college and/or university attended.  

• A minimum of three letters of recommendation.   

• It is strongly recommended that letters of recommendation come from college-level instructors who have taught you in an academic or clinical class.  

• Letters of recommendation must be submitted via CSDCAS.  

• CSDCAS will ONLY accept electronic letters of recommendation.  

• University and work-related letters must be submitted on letterhead.  

• A personal essay regarding your intent and interest in Speech/Language Pathology  

• An application fee to CSDCAS   

• https://portal.csdcas.org/csdcasHelpPages/instructionsand-faq/school-information/submitting-paymentsfee-waivers/index.html 

• OPTIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS   

• Standardized test scores are recommended but NOT required:  

For admission with unconditional classification, the student must have a:  

• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher  

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 146 minimum (verbal) and 140 minimum (quantitative) . NOTE: Standardized test scores are recommended but not required.  

•  Bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or he or she must have successfully completed the required prerequisite courses* in speech language pathology.  

 
For admission with Conditional Classification, the student may possess a GPA between 2.75 and 3.4 with an acceptable GRE score (standardized test scores are recommended but not required). The student with an acceptable GPA and a 138 minimum (verbal) and 136 minimum (quantitative) on the GRE may also be considered for conditional admission. The student’s classification is changed to unconditional if a 3.00 or better GPA is attained in the first 9 credit hours of graduate coursework. Any exception to these standards must be approved by the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee, the Department Head, Dean of the College of Health Sciences and the Graduate Dean.  

Applicants with clinical clock hours and observation hours in the areas of speech-language pathology and audiology must have proper documentation, including the appropriate signatures and certification status (CCC/SLP or CCC/A) for the clinical supervisors who supervised their clinical practicum experiences.   

Important Dates

CSDCAS applications for the Traditional Program are due on February 1 of each year.   

• Applicants for the Traditional Program will receive notification of their acceptance status in March.  

CSDCAS applications for the Distance Education Program are due on June 1 of each EVEN year.    

• Applicants for the DE Program will receive notification of their acceptance status in July.  

 

Degree Requirements

The program consists of academic and clinical requirements. The curriculum consists of forty-one (41) semester hours of required courses, six (6) semester hours of focus courses (which are required for students desiring an Education Endorsement and/or for students lacking the requisite knowledge and coursework in Speech and Hearing Science), plus a comprehensive examination and/or thesis. The program also requires students to take a minimum of six (6) additional credit hours of clinical practicum during which the student must obtain 400 clock hours of clinical practicum experiences under the supervision of certified clinicians (CCC-SLP or CCC-A) in nine (9) areas of speech-language assessment and intervention across the lifespan. Students entering the program are required to either have (1) an undergraduate degree in Speech Language Pathology or (2) the required prerequisite courses. Students plan their curriculum in consultation with an advisor. For employment in the school system, graduate students may complete the State Department of Education requirements for licensure. These requirements are in addition to those required for the degree. The curriculum emphasizes both classroom and clinical experiences necessary for a comprehensive understanding of normal communicative processes, including reception, integration, and expression.  

The curriculum also places emphasis on in-depth analyses of communication and swallowing disorders, giving special attention to techniques for diagnosis, remediation, and management. Supervised clinical observation and practicum experiences in speech-language pathology and audiology are an integral part of the curriculum. To meet requirements for graduation, students must obtain the minimum number of required clinical clock hours for ASHA certification.  

Accreditation Information

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech and Hearing Science {residential; distance education} at Tennessee State Unversity 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. 

Core Functions 

The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD, 2023) has identified core functions that individuals in communication sciences and disorders programs typically are expected to employ in didactic and clinical experiences to acquire the knowledge and demonstrate the competencies that will lead to graduation and successful entry into professional practice.  The core functions are in the areas of communication, motor, sensory, intellectual/cognitive, interpersonal skills, and cultural responsiveness. The TSU Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology has adopted the CAPCSD 2023 Core Functions. 

Below are the core functions that individuals must possess either independently or with reasonable accommodations: 

Communication 

• Employ oral, written, auditory, and non-verbal communication at a level sufficient to meet academic and clinical competencies.  
• Adapt communication style to effectively interact with colleagues, clients, patients, caregivers, and invested parties of diverse backgrounds in various modes such as in person, over the phone, and in electronic format.  

Motor 

• Engage in physical activities at a level required to accurately implement classroom and clinical responsibilities (e.g., manipulating testing and therapeutic equipment and technology, client/patient equipment, and practice management technology) while retaining the integrity of the process. 
• Respond in a manner that ensures the safety of clients and others. 

Sensory 

• Access sensory information to differentiate functional and disordered auditory, oral, written, and visual communication. 
• Access sensory information to correctly differentiate anatomical structures and diagnostic imaging findings. 
• Access sensory information to correctly differentiate and discriminate text, numbers, tables, and graphs associated with diagnostic instruments and tests. 

Intellectual/Cognitive 

• Retain, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply auditory, written, and oral information  level sufficient to meet curricular and clinical competencies. 
• Employ informed critical thinking and ethical reasoning to formulate a differential diagnosis and create. implement, and adjust evaluation and treatment plans as appropriate for the client/patient’s needs. 
• Engage in ongoing self-reflection and evaluation of one’s existing knowledge and skills. 
• Critically examine and apply evidence-based judgment in keeping with best practices for client/patient care. 

Interpersonal 

• Display compassion, respect, and concern for others during all academic and clinical interactions. 
• Adhere to all aspects of relevant professional codes of ethics, privacy, and information management policies. 
• Take personal responsibility for maintaining physical and mental health at a level that ensures safe, respectful, and successful participation in didactic and clinical activities. 

Cultural Responsiveness 

• Engage in ongoing learning about cultures and belief systems different from one’s own and the impacts of these on healthcare and educational disparities to foster effective provision of services. 
• Demonstrate the application of culturally responsive evidence-based decisions to guide clinical practice. 

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check and/or a drug screening are required at most affiliated clinical training sites. Based on the results of these checks, an affiliated clinical site may decide not to allow students at their facility. Such a decision could impede a student’s ability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment. If criminal background checks or drug screenings are required, students are expected to cooperate fully with the process and pay all associated costs. Tennessee State University and the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department are not liable if the results of a criminal background check or a drug screening indicate that a student is unable to complete the requirements of the program or if such results preclude one from obtaining licensure or employment. [Note: All applicants for initial speech-language pathology licensure in Tennessee must obtain a criminal background check.]

Career Opportunities 

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) work in a variety of work settings, including schools, hospitals, private clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and private practices.  There are an estimated 228,368 + ASHA   certified speech-language pathologists.  These professionals assess and treat a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders in persons of all ages.  Speech disorders include problems with speech sound production (articulation), fluency (stuttering), and voice disorders.  Language disorders are characterized by difficulties in the comprehension or expression of organized symbols.  SLPs also help clients with swallowing disorders, possibly due to a stroke or surgery, which may lead to life-threatening conditions. The career opportunities are endless. 

Faculty Credentials

• Terrie D. Gibson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor    
• Iris A. Johnson Arnold, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Professor   
• Janessa Jones, SLP-D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor 
• Nancy Naperala, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor  
• Tina T. Smith, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Professor and Department Chair  
• Danielle Watson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor     

Program Website

http://www.tnstate.edu/speechpath/ 

Program Coordinator/Contact Information:  

• Tina T. Smith, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Chair 
  Avon Williams Building 
  Office: 330 10th Avenue, Suite P 
  (615) 963-7081 
  tsmith31@tnstate.edu