Graduate Program
The Master of Arts (M.A.) residential education program in speech-language pathology at California State University Long Beach is a cohort-based program to be completed in five (5) semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring), which include a semester of school-based internship and a semester of medical/private practice internship.
Students who successfully complete the required coursework may earn a M.A. degree in Speech‑Language Pathology. Students who earn a M.A. degree qualify for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential from the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing, and the State of California Licensure in Speech-Language Pathology.
The primary purpose of the CSULB SLP M.A. Program is to prepare students as professional speech-language pathologists. The program’s objectives are to provide our students with:
- Advanced knowledge in congenital, developmental, acquired, and neurogenic speech, language and communication disorders across the lifespan
- Knowledge of procedures and methods for differential diagnosis in speech-language pathology
- Competence in implementing evidence-based practice in making ethical clinical decisions
- 400 direct clinical contact hours working with individuals with various communication and swallowing disorders
- On-campus clinical practicum and off-campus internships to develop and refine clinical skills consistent with the defined scope of practice. Internship experience in both school and medical/private practice settings
- Competence in working with individuals with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds
- Development of cultural competence through graduate coursework, clinical courses, internships, and student exchange program
- Coursework and clinical practicum experience for certification as a speech-language pathologist by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Opportunities to participate in faculty-led or student-led research projects
The Master of Arts (M.A.) residential education program in speech-language pathology at California State University Long Beach 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.
ASHA National Office Contact Information
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850-3289 USA
Phone: 301-296-5700 or 800-498-2071
Fifty-Four (54) units of coursework are required:
Take all of the following courses (48 units):
SLP 661 - Seminar in Cognitive-Communication Disorders after Acquired Brain Injury (3 units)
SLP 662 - Seminar in Language and Literacy Disorders in School-Age Children and Adolescents (3 units)
SLP 663 - Seminar in Preschool Language Disorders and Speech Sound Disorders (3 units)
SLP 665 - Seminar in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Language Disorders (3 units)
SLP 666 - Seminar in Motor Speech Disorders (3 units)
SLP 667 - Seminar in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 units)
SLP 668 - Seminar in Dysphagia (3 units)
SLP 669A - Multicultural Clinical Practice: Child-Adolescent Speech and Language Clinic (4 units)
SLP 669J - Multicultural Clinical Practice: Adult Acquired Neurogenic Speech and Language Clinic (4 units)
SLP 696 - Research Methods: Applied and Basic (3 units)
SLP 670 - Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology (5 units)
SLP 686A - Public School Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (5 units)
SLP 672 - Seminar in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3 units)
SLP 676 - Seminar in Voice, Resonance and Fluency Disorders (3 Units)
Complete two (2 units) of the following course
SLP 678 - Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology (1 Unit)
Complete one of the following culminating requirements (4 units) in the final semester of the program
Option 1: SLP 695 - Directed Readings (1‑3 units) and a 3-unit elective (SLP 575 recommended).
Option 2: SLP 698 - Thesis (1‑4 units)
Please see additional information at University Catalog
The SLP graduate program only accepts students who have completed the required undergraduate prerequisites (30 semester units in speech-language pathology). This can be done through either completion of an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) or through completion of post-baccalaureate leveling courses.
The CSULB SLP graduate program is a cohort-based Master's program. For full-time students, the expected number of terms for program completion is Five (5) semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring).
