Degree Requirements
Students seeking professional certification in speech/language pathology or audiology must meet coursework and clinical requirements specific to the specialization or area of study. Information about certification requirements is available from the graduate adviser.
To be counted toward the degree, all coursework in the major must be at the graduate or upper division level. Individual study programs must be arranged in consultation with the graduate adviser.
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts is offered with a thesis or no-thesis option.
The Master of Arts provides graduate training in the following specializations.
SPEECH/LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. Students in speech/language pathology complete a set of academic courses and clinical practicum experiences. Students may also choose from a set of electives based upon their specific interests.
The Master of Arts with thesis: Students selecting this option must complete at least 27 semester hours in core courses, at least six hours of electives, and in addition, students must complete clinical practicum training by enrolling in clinical practicum coursework for 24 to 27 semester hours. Enrollment in clinical practicum coursework is required for eligibility for certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students who wish to opt out of eligibility for certification may do so with approval of the graduate adviser. Additional hours may be required by the program in order to meet ASHA guidelines. Students in the M.A./Ph.D. program should enroll in thesis.
The Master of Arts without thesis: Students selecting this option must complete at least 27 semester hours in core courses, at least six hours of electives, and in addition, students must complete clinical practicum training by enrolling in clinical practicum coursework for 24 to 27 semester hours. Enrollment in clinical practicum coursework is required for eligibility for certification through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students who wish to opt out of eligibility for certification may do so with approval of the graduate adviser. Additional hours may be required by the program in order to meet ASHA guidelines.
AUDIOLOGY. All students in audiology complete academic courses. Students may choose from a set of electives based upon their specific interests. The program of study is not designed to lead to professional certification. Students who are interested in professional certification in audiology should consider the Doctor of Audiology degree described below.
The Master of Arts with thesis: Students selecting this option must complete at least 27 semester hours in core courses and at least six hours of thesis. Students can select this option as part of their MA/PhD program.
DEAFNESS STUDIES/EDUCATION OF THE DEAF. The specialization in deafness studies/education of the deaf is inactive. Current information about its status is available from the graduate adviser.
SPEECH AND HEARING SCIENCE. Students in speech and hearing science follow a broad, research-oriented program of study that is not designed to lead to professional certification.
The Master of Arts with thesis: Students selecting this option must complete at least 27 semester hours in core courses and at least six hours of thesis. Students can select this option as part of their MA/PhD program.
Doctor of Audiology
The Doctor of Audiology (AuD) provides academic and clinical education for those who plan to enter the profession of audiology. The degree program involves preparation for the diagnosis and non-medical treatment of hearing and balance disorders; it is designed to prepare audiologists to meet the standards for Texas state licensure in audiology.
The program requires a minimum of 82 semester hours of coursework and is designed to be completed in four years. All preprofessional students in audiology complete the same set of core courses and basic clinical practicum. Students may choose from a set of electives based upon their specific interests. Research experiences are part of the curriculum, but a dissertation is not required.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy is a research degree; students can expect opportunities to work closely with the faculty on research and to participate in the publication of research findings. All students in this program are expected to achieve mastery of research design principles and methods appropriate to their program of study.