Program Overview
Degree Offered
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech Language Pathology
‘The flexible schedule allowed me to complete my studies while continuing to work and tend to my three children. And I really feel that we had an advantage in working with professors from all over the state.’
— Jennifer Cynthers Lee (’97, ’12M)
Description
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Speech Language Pathology is designed to provide a broad spectrum of academic and practicum experiences necessary for the education of specialists who deal with disorders of human communication and swallowing.
Clinical practical experiences are available in a wide range of professional settings including the JMU Applied Laboratory, various hospital and rehabilitation programs, and the public schools. The academic and clinical components of the program are consistent with the requirements for certification in speech-language pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and for health and education licensure in speech-language pathology by the commonwealth of Virginia.
Distance Learning in Virginia Educating Speech-Language Pathologists (DLVE-SLP) was originally a multi-university collaborative funded by the Virginia Department of Education to help address the shortage of school SLPs in the state of Virginia. Since 2013, JMU is the sole institution providing an online master's degree within Virginia. Successful Distance Learning in Virginia Educating Speech-Language Pathologists (DLVE-SLP) candidates will have met all prerequisite course work listed on the website and may apply to the JMU master's program to undertake their degree in the primarily online program. Accepted students will complete a part-time, three year program as listed on the departmental website. Although many of the requirements are completed in an online mode, interested individuals should be aware that there are some on-campus requirements, typically scheduled during summer months. Students interested in the DLVE-SLP program should consult the department website for more detailed information and the name of a contact person prior to applying.
Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate programs received reaccreditation through June 30, 2026 from the Council on Academic Accreditation of ASHA! The Clinical Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) and the Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. SLP) Programs underwent accreditation review during the 2017-18 academic year. Both programs were in compliance with the CAA Standards and have received full reaccreditation for an 8 year period.