SLP Graduate Programs

If you intend to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology or a related field, you will need to earn a graduate degree. SLP programs all must conform to guidelines put forth by the American Speech and Hearing Association (AHSA). ASHA has published an explanation of program prerequisites you can review. Additionally, Dr. Jeff Mielke in the department put together a Student’s Guide to a Career in Speech-Language Pathology.

Individual programs may vary some on what they require, so it is important that you take a look at the requirements for the graduate programs that interest you to ensure you take the required pre-requisite courses. Here are a list of some common SLP pre-requisites as well as a list to the pages of programs that several of our graduates have attended (mostly in-state). Don’t see your program listed here? Send me an email so I can add it!

Common Requirements

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and some programs may have more specific requirements. Always check the requirements from your desired program first.

  • A biological sciences course. This can be satisfied via your GEP requirements by taking one of the following courses:
    • BIO 105 and BIO 106 (lab) Biology in the Modern World
    • BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity
    • BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
    • GN 301 Genetics in Human Affairs (will not count as a GEP lab course)
    • Note: There may be additional courses, like BIO 240, that will count as an SLP pre-requisite but will not count as a GEP course.
  • A physical science, typically chemistry or physics. This can be satisfied by your other GEP science requirement by taking one of the following courses:
    • CH 100 Chemistry and Society (caution: for some schools this may not be of sufficient level)
    • CH 101 and CH 102 (lab) Chemistry – A Molecular Science
    • CH 111 Preparatory Chemistry (*note: this is a pre-requisite to CH 101; will not count as a lab course)
    • PY 131 Conceptual Physics
    • PY 201 University Physics I
    • PY 211 College Physics I

Recommendation: If these science courses seem overwhelming to you, I recommend BIO 105/106 for your GEP lab course and CH 111 for your GEP non-lab course to satisfy these requirements.

  • Statistics. This can be satisfied via one of your GEP requirements in math by taking one of the following:
    • ST 101 Statistics by Example (caution: for some schools this may not be of sufficient level)
    • ST 311 Introduction to Statistics
  • A social or behavioral science. This will be satisfied by your CHASS Social Science requirement provided one of your courses is from psychology or sociology, or certain anthropology courses.
  • ENG 315 Phonetics, which is offered every fall semester.
  • ENG 320 Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing. This is offered every fall semester and is the prerequisite for ENG 415 (new course code!) for Speech Science.
  • ENG 335 Language Development. This is offered in spring of even-numbered years, so you will need to plan accordingly.
  • ENG 415 Speech Science (previous course code was ENG 338). This is offered in spring of odd-numbered years.
  • Note: Double-check the requirements for your desired graduate programs. Some may require additional courses than what are listed here.

 

The following courses some graduate schools require, however NCSU does not currently offer them. However, as an NCSU student you can take these courses through NC Central via the Inter-Institutional Program or online through Longwood University. Speak with me when you’re ready to take one!

  • Audiology. Not currently offered at NC State, but students can take EDSH 5751 Introduction to Audiology at NCCU through the Inter-Institutional Program.
  • Aural Rehabilitation. Not currently offered at NC State, but students can take EDSH 5752 Aural Rehabilitation at NCCU through the Inter-Institutional Program. *Could potentially be completed after enrollment into a Master’s program
  • Occasionally, some schools also require a Neurology of Speech and Language or Neuroanatomy and Physiology course – check with your graduate school of choice to see what they will accept here. Two options might be EDSH 5720 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology at NCCU or PSY 430 Biological Psychology here at NCSU, but again verify with your graduate school prior to enrollment.

 

Many programs also require supervised clinical observation time prior to enrollment. There are official forms to fill out for this; our program recommends you work with one of the faculty members in your area of interest for SLP and not your advisor to complete this requirement. Information on this requirement can be found at the end of the Student’s Guide to a Career in Speech-Language Pathology

 

In-State Websites for SLP Programs