San Marcos, Calif.—Aug. 19, 2022—The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is pleased to announce that our Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program has been granted initial accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).
The CAA voted in July to award initial accreditation to the MS-SLP program for five years, the maximum period allowed for a program’s initial accreditation. This decision signifies that the program is in good standing and that our MS-SLP graduates are meeting CAA’s standards for program completion, Praxis exam pass rates, and employment in the profession.
“The MS-SLP program receiving initial accreditation is a testament to the high quality of the program’s leadership, faculty, staff and students,” says President and Chief Academic Officer Brian Goldstein, PhD, CCC-SLP.
“It demonstrates the national reach of the program and the outstanding outcomes and achievements of the program’s students and faculty.”
New Start Date Added
In more good news about the program, we have added a Summer term start date. This means that, beginning in May 2023, USAHS will offer three start dates for the MS-SLP program: September, January, and May. The addition expands the choices for prospective students, allowing them to start at a time that fits best with their life plans. It will also open more seats for students in this competitive educational field.
GRE Not Required
We believe that other factors matter more in SLP admissions, such as the applicant’s broader accomplishments and personal qualities. With that in mind, we’ve eliminated the GRE requirement: GRE scores are no longer required for admission into the MS-SLP program.
The MS-SLP Program Journey
The MS-SLP program launched in Fall 2018 on USAHS’ campus in Austin, Texas. A second location followed on the Dallas campus in Fall 2019. Until July of this year, the program on both campuses had been a candidate for initial accreditation from CAA, making satisfactory progress toward compliance with accreditation criteria.
“We have a cadre of wonderful faculty, contributing faculty, clinical educators and staff supporting the program to provide innovative and quality graduate education training for future SLPs,” says MS-SLP Program Director and Associate Professor Meghan Savage, PhD, CCC-SLP.
“We have students and alumni from 26 states serving a diverse range of clients and patients in communities across the country. Our students obtain SLP licenses, are employed in the profession and earn ASHA certification.”
“We are excited to continue to deliver our graduate education program in speech-language pathology at USAHS.”
About the MS-SLP Program
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program. The MS-SLP is an online program with four required on-campus residencies on either the USAHS Austin or Dallas campus. The program offers three intakes per year, in September, January and May. Join a collaborative cohort of peers who learn under the mentorship of expert faculty-practitioners. Prepare to make a difference in the lives of clients across the lifespan with a meaningful career in speech therapy!
For students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than communications sciences and disorders (CSD) or SLP and for students with a CSD or SLP degree whose undergraduate program did not include the required leveling coursework, we offer SLP leveling courses for completing the necessary prerequisites to enter the graduate program.
