Tarleton State University is an applicant for candidacy for a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program on the Tarleton State University Fort Worth satellite campus. The program will exemplify Tarleton State University’s core values of excellence, integrity and respect by offering academic coursework and clinical experiences in a variety of settings to prepare students to be licensed speech-language pathologists. This full-time, face-to-face program will take 5 semesters to complete with a fall start.
Program Benefits
This program prepares students to be entry-level certified speech-language pathologists.
Program faculty work to make connections between academic knowledge and clinical practice.
Unique geographic location positions students to gain clinical experience in both rural and urban areas.
Learning Outcome 1: Students will apply foundational knowledge in all areas of speech-language pathology practice, evidence-based literature, and professional judgement when designing and implementing effective therapy as evidenced by measures of learning and clinical education ratings within didactic courses and clinical education placements.
Learning Outcome 2: Students will appropriately perform a comprehensive assessment of speech, language, or swallowing skills and determine a course of action using analytical thinking commensurate with the experience of an entry-level clinician as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 3: Create treatment plans for all areas under a speech-language pathologist’s scope of practice to be implemented in medical and educational settings as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements
Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and methods of identification and prevention of all areas of practice as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate professional practice competencies in the areas of accountability, communication, evidence-based practice, and professional duty as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses, passing scores on assignments related to interprofessional education, and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 6: Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to providing ethical services as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 7: Apply knowledge of interdisciplinary and interprofessional practice in speech-language pathology to work cooperatively with a team as evidenced by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses, passing scores on assignments related to interprofessional education, and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 8: Apply the tenants person- and patient-centered care in service delivery by passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses, passing scores on assignments related to interprofessional education, and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Learning Outcome 9: Demonstrate a commitment to self-evaluation and lifelong learning for the purposes of the improvement of clinical service delivery by achieving passing scores on measures of learning in didactic courses, passing scores on assignments related to interprofessional education, and clinical education ratings during simulation and clinical placements.
Career Outcomes
The program prepares students to apply for licensure as a speech-language pathologist in the State of Texas and their certificate of clinical competence with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Certification and Licensure Preparation
Speech-Language Pathology licensure with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
Coursework Requirements: Students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders/speech, language, hearing sciences or undergraduate communication sciences and disorders prerequisite coursework before beginning the program.
Prerequisite coursework: Students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders/speech, language, hearing sciences will be required to complete and pass undergraduate level prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program. Transcripts should reflect the following coursework:
Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
Minimum GPA: Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. Letters will be submitted in the CSDCAS portal. Students will provide their recommender’s email address, and they will be sent a link to complete their letter of recommendation. Do not send any letters via USPS or email to the university or program. Letters from faculty and speech-language pathologists with whom you have worked are preferred. Students should check the status of the submission of the letters of recommendation through the CSDCAS portal and should verify that they have been submitted by the deadline.
Personal Statement: Applicants will submit written answers to two questions on the CSDCAS portal. Each response should be 500 words or less.
Observation Hours: The program will require students to complete 25 observation hours in speech-language pathology prior to applying for admissions into the program. Applicants will submit documentation of their hours on the CSDCAS portal.
Transcripts: At the time that they apply, applicants will order and submit official transcripts from each institution attended through the CSDCAS portal. After acceptance into the program, students will need to order and submit final transcripts through CSDCAS that show a student’s official graduation date or completion of all prerequisite coursework.
Virtual Interview: Applicants meeting the admissions requirements will be invited to a virtual interview. Scheduling will take place through the CSDCAS portal.
International Students: International students with a foreign degree are required to submit a third-party course-by-course transcript evaluation from an approved entity and proof of English proficiency. You can read more about the requirements here. We offer English proficiency waivers on a case-by-case basis, based on the country of origin or the language of instruction at their home institution.
General Admissions Procedures and Information
The admissions committee will review all parts of each application packet. The program will make offers of acceptance to students with the greatest potential to successfully complete all program requirements and become successful speech-language pathologists.
The CSDCAS application will open on August 1, 2026. The program will review applicants on a rolling basis until the application deadline (January 15, 2027). Additional offers of acceptance may be made after April 15 should any open seats remain.
