This document summarizes an information session for an M.A. in Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois. It highlights several strengths of the program, including its large faculty with diverse expertise, relatively small cohort size, and faculty recognition for teaching excellence and clinical experience. The program consists of coursework, clinical experiences, and a thesis option over two years. Clinical experiences include on-campus clinics as well as external placements in schools, medical settings, and other facilities. The degree prepares students for ASHA certification in speech-language pathology.

1. Admitted Student Open
House 2020
M.A., Speech & Hearing Science
Speech-Language Pathology
Information Session

3. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Large faculty representing diverse areas of expertise
 Relatively small cohort of clinical students
– 25-30 students per MA cohort
The faculty will know you personally

4. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Faculty are national leaders in research and in
professional service to ASHA
 Faculty recognized across campus for teaching excellence
 You will receive an outstanding education

5. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Faculty bring years of clinical experience in diverse
settings with diverse populations to clinical instruction
 You will be well prepared clinically

6. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Your degree from the University of Illinois is valuable.
You will learn how to provide evidence-based clinical
practices, and
You will be exposed to discovery and innovation on a
world-class campus.

7. The Degree
 MA is an advanced clinical degree from an accredited university graduate
program and is the standard credential for SLPs entering the profession.
 Emphasis on the application of basic science and technology in advanced
professional training.
 SLPs develop competency in the prevention, diagnosis, and
habilitation/rehabilitation of communication and swallowing disabilities, related
communication and educational disabilities, and client-centered practice that
spans birth through adulthood.

8. Program Structure
Fall Spring Summer
Year 1 Courses
3 required
Clinic
Courses
4 required
Clinic
Courses
3 required
Clinic
Year 2 Courses
2 required
1 elective
Clinic
Courses
1 required
1-2 electives
8-week
external
(school)
10-week
external
(medical)
See
MA program
handout for
more details

9. Graduation Requirements
 60 graduate hours
– 52 academic and 8 clinical credits
– Students typically graduate with more than the minimum
credit hours to take advantage of elective courses, research
and additional clinical opportunities.
 A thesis option is available, but not required.
 Good news: There are no additional comprehensive exams as
a requirement for graduation. The PRAXIS serves this purpose.
– And our pass rate? It’s exceptional.

10. Financial Matters
Tuition Estimate 2020-2021
Residents
Nonresidents/
International
Tuition (F,Sp) $13,176.00 $28,464.00
Fees (F,Sp) $ 4,538.00 $ 4,538.00
Summer
(2020 rate)
$ 6,686.00 $12,811.00
See Tuition and Fees handout for total estimated cost for the 2-year program
and a breakdown of estimated costs per semester.

11. Financial Matters
 MA students may apply for departmental funding each semester.
– TAs for individual courses
– Hourly positions as graders
– Research assistants on faculty grants.
– Time commitments are usually 6-10 hours per week
 There are other sources of employment on our campus and the student is
encouraged to learn about these.
– Disability Resources and Educational Services – academic coaches, transcribers
– McKinley Health Center
– Athletic Department – academic coaches, tutors
– We’ll also connect you with the Campus Job Board

12. Clinical Education: What will it be like?

13. You will have 6 semesters of
clinical training.
Most of the time it’s going to fly by!
Sometimes, it’s won’t.

14. Is this you? Bring me my scrubs
and a lab coat! I am
working in a voice
clinic and no one will
stop me! This is my
goal!

15. Is this you? Kids? Adults? I have no
idea! The student next to
me seems to have the
next 10 years all planned
out! Yikes! Help!

16. It’s
OK!
(You can take a deep breath
now!)

17. You’ll be exposed to the whole scope of practice!
 By attending our ASHA accredited
program, you’ll gain competencies in the
BIG 9 areas of speech-language pathology.
 This prepares you for ASHA certification
(Certificate of Clinical Competence).
 What does this mean for you as a student?
– Whatever your professional goals may
be, you’ll need experience evaluating
and treating clients whose
communication needs vary widely!
– How varied?

18. The Scope of Practice includes:
1. Articulation and phonology
2. Fluency
3. Voice
4. Receptive and Expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic
communication and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading, writing)
5. Hearing
6. Swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, and related functions, including oral function for feeding, orofacial
myology)
7. Cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, problem solving, executive functioning)
8. Social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, and lack of
communication opportunities)
9. Communication modalities (see ASHA Standards)

19. Fall 1: Clinical Experiences
 You’ll work with University of Illinois clinical faculty
– University of Illinois Speech-Language Pathology Clinic
– Head Start (Savoy or Urbana)
– School sites!
 Generally 1.0-2.0 clock hours per week
– Aim for 20+ client hours by end of first semester
 Typical clients?
– Expressive/Receptive Language
– Artic/Phono
– Voice
– Others, depending on prior class experiences

20. Spring 1: Clinical Experiences
 Again, typically with University of Illinois clinical faculty
 Clock hours increase to 3.0-4.0 per week
 Likely less direct supervision
 Caseload may begin to include:
– Fluency
– AAC
– More clients with challenging behaviors
 There may be limited opportunities available in
outpatient peds/EI with external supervisors
– Many of these require travel time

21. Fall 2: Clinical Experiences
 Most hours will be at an external placement
– SNF
– Hospital
– EI
– Outpatient
– Home health
– You will most likely need to travel 1 semester!
 Very common to have a few clients on site at the University Clinic

22. Spring 2: Clinical Experiences
 First 8 Weeks: Mini-placement, and/or wrap-up of
competency needs at University Clinic
 Second 8 Weeks: Full-time school placement

23. Spring 2: Full Time School Placement
 Jennifer Dahman, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant
Professor, coordinates Clinical Experiences in Schools
– She will also provide support as you apply to the Council on
Teacher Education (CoTE) to obtain your Professional
Educator License.
 You can apply for a placement at ANY PUBLIC
SCHOOL!
– The catch? It’s gotta be in Illinois
 Most students earn ~100 hours from this experience

24. Summer 2: Full-Time Medical Placement
 Clarion Mendes, M.A., CCC-SLP/L coordinates full-
time medical placements.
 Medical placements can be in Illinois or
other states as well.
 FLEXIBILITY is crucial!
– Communicate early & often with the coordinator
 Student earn ~125 hrs from this experience

25. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Your voice matters.
 Want to do your full-time school placement in
Chicago?
– We’ll know and we’ll do our best to get you there.
 Looking to do your full-time medical placement at a
pediatric hospital?
– We’ll know and we’ll do our best to get you there, too.

26. What makes us special?
ILL-INI
 Graduate school is a “buffet” that gives you the opportunity
to sample the full spectrum of speech, language,
communication & swallowing disorders.
 We maximize this experience with a diverse combination
of internal AND external clinical placements.

27. Come Join Us at the University of Illinois!

28. Galentine’s
Day
dementia
enrichment
Puree
Party—
dysphagia!

29. LSVT certification!