Residential Master of Arts

We provide you with the scientific and clinical knowledge and skills needed for the practice of speech-language pathology in an environment that values teaching and clinical excellence and mentorship.

Clinical experiences at the USD Scottish Rite Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, the Sioux Falls Scottish Rite Children's Clinic and our affiliates include comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative speech and language services with individuals aged infant through elderly.

If you have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Communication Disorders, you will need to take these prerequisites for entry into our M.A. in SLP program:

DCOM 131 - Introduction to Communication Disorders
DCOM 211 – Phonetics
DCOM 212 - Language Development
DCOM 221 - Intro to Audiology
DCOM 224 - Speech Science
DCOM 421 - Hearing Science
Biological Science, Physical Science, (Physics or Chemistry), Statistics, Behavioral Science

Sample SLP M.A. Sequence

(students entering fall semester)

Fall: 11 credits DCOM 710 Professional Issues I DCOM 734 Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition DCOM 736 Diagnostics DCOM 787 Research Methods DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 1 credit	Spring: 13 credits DCOM 737 Dysphagia DCOM 711 Professional Issues II DCOM 731 Fluency DCOM 537 Advanced Language Disorders DCOM 733 Neuromotor Clinic Diagnostics and Screenings
Summer: 12 credits DCOM 730 Central Auditory Processing Disorders - May DCOM 534 Augmentative Alternative Communication - May DCOM 732 Craniofacial Anomalies - July DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 3 credits	Fall: 8 credits DCOM 533 Voice DCOM 724 Advanced Communication Science DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 2 credits
Spring: 12 credits Internship I	Summer: 12 credits Internship II

Sample SLP M.A. Sequence

(students entering spring semester)

Spring: 11 credits DCOM 710 Professional Issues I DCOM 731 Fluency DCOM 732 Neuromotor DCOM 787 Research Methods DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 1 credit	Summer: 9 credits DCOM 730 534 Augmentative Alternative Communication - May DCOM 736 Diagnostics - June DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 3 credits
Fall: 9 credits DCOM 533 Voice DCOM 734 Acquired Disorders of Language and Cognition DCOM 724 Advanced Communication Science Clinic Diagnostics and Screenings	Spring: 12 credits DCOM 737 Dysphagia DCOM 711 Professional Issues II DCOM 732 Craniofacial Anomalies DCOM 537 Advanced Language Disorders DCOM 595 Clinic/Fieldwork 2 credits
Summer: 15 credits DCOM 730 Central Auditory Processing Disorders - May Internship I following CAPD (12 credits of internship)	Fall: 12 credits Internship II

Notes: LEND trainees must take FAMP 540 sometime in their LEND year.

Additional notes: Students who have not taken all of the UG prerequisites may find their program extended; overloads will be approved ONLY if necessary. Final on campus semester for fall students totals 8 credits; some students may need to sign up for an additional credit (e.g., of clinic) so as to meet the 9 required for GA and some medical insurances, etc.