GVSU's Masters Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Track 1 program is an intensive 16-month, 4 consecutive semester, program that includes a rigorous academic curriculum and a series of off-site clinical experiences. The Track 2 program provides students without the needed prerequisites for Track 1 to complete those courses across two semesters. The program's curriculum, as a terminal professional degree awarding program, is designed to prepare students to be clinically competent entry-level professionals in the field of speech-language pathology.

During the first three semesters, students complete coursework following a prescribed sequence of courses. In terms of clinical experiences, the first semester is faculty-led, while the second, third and fourth semesters are community preceptor-led. Additionally, the fourth semester is dedicated to a full internship clinical experience.

The prerequisite coursework takes place Fall and Winter semesters. There is a break in coursework over the summer. Track Two students return for the Fall semester and continue their coursework on the Track One schedule above.

Track One Description

This track is for students who have completed all of the prerequisite coursework. Students may have obtained the prerequisite courses in one of the following ways: 

1. majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders
2. majored in another area, but took prerequisites as an undergraduate 
3.  completed a leveling program after obtaining a bachelor’s degree 

Students apply to the program by January 15; accepted students begin in the fall semester of that year. Students will complete four consecutive full-time semesters (fall, winter, spring/summer, fall), which include both academic coursework and clinical practicum in the community. The first semester of practicum will be under the guidance of GVSU faculty members in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at two of our offsite, community-based labs. During the second and third semesters, practicum will be 2-4 days per week at a community site with a speech- language pathologist from the community serving as the clinical preceptor, and a GVSU faculty member from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders serving as your clinical affiliate. Students may be placed up to two hours away from Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RFH). Placements a greater distance from RFH may be available upon request. The fourth (final) semester of the program, students complete a full-time unpaid internship with a community preceptor and GVSU faculty affiliate. Out-of-state placements may be available upon request for the final semester.

Track Two Description 

Track Two is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a field other than communication sciences and disorders and have not taken the prerequisite coursework in speech-language pathology that is required for Track One. Track Two is a six-semester program (fall, winter, fall, winter, spring/summer, fall). 

During the first two semesters, students will complete graduate leveling courses required for the final four semesters of the program. Track Two admitted students must complete all of the courses in the program even if equivalent courses have been completed at another institution. Students will apply to the program by June 15th to begin the six- semester program in the fall. The first two semesters of coursework will not include clinical practicum, the final four semesters include both academic coursework and clinical practicum in the community. 

The first semester of practicum will be under the guidance of GVSU faculty members in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at two of our offsite, community-based labs. During the second and third semesters of practicum (the fourth and fifth semesters of the program), practicum will be 2-4 days per week at a community site with a speech-language pathologist from the community serving the clinical preceptor, and a GVSU faculty member from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders serving as your clinical affiliate. Students may be placed up to two hours away from Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall (RFH). Placements a greater distance from RFH may be available upon request. The (sixth) final semester of the program, students complete a full-time unpaid internship with a community preceptor and GVSU faculty affiliate. Out-of-state placements may be available upon request for the final semester.