Program Requirements

Course Work

When you begin the Master’s degree program (clinical or non-clinical), you will be provided with a course sequence for your entire graduate program. We strongly recommended that you adhere to this course sequence, although you can modify this plan made in consultation with the graduate academic advisor and clinic director.

• It typically takes four academic semesters and a summer to complete the master’s degree program with the prerequisite undergraduate coursework and experiences.
• If you have an undergraduate degree in another field, you must complete the Post-Bac program or a similar program through another university to meet UW-Madison’s prerequisites.
• M.S. in CS&D with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology:
  • A minimum of 40 credits are required.
  • Thesis or non-thesis options available.
  • Thesis option is recommended if interested in research or planning to pursue a Ph.D.
• M.S. in CS&D with an emphasis in Normal Aspects of Speech, Language and Hearing.
  • A minimum of 33 credits and a thesis are required

Clinical Experiences

Supervised clinical experiences for Master’s degree students offer a range of activities at diverse practicum sites:

• UW Speech and Hearing Clinic
• Hospitals and Clinics
• Public School Districts

In your first year, CS&D 790 – Clinical Practicum requires 25 documented clinical observation hours before being placed at the UWSHC or other clinical site.

In your second year, we require a minimum of 100 hours of supervised clinical practice to qualify for:

• A school site (CS&D 791)
• A medical practicum experience (CS&D 790)

Practica availability may change each semester as a result of program changes, staff turnover, and/or variations in client service needs.

Research

If you opt to complete a thesis as part of your master’s degree, you have opportunities to work closely with faculty members on a research project and to conduct original research.

Learning more about CSD Research programs.

Teacher Certification

To fulfill teacher certification requirements for the State of Wisconsin, as specified in PI34, you must:

• Complete the Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology;
• Complete a student teaching experience (Curric 720);
• Prepare an electronic portfolio that documents your knowledge and skills for inspection by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).