Communication Disorders - Master of Arts

Students entering the graduate program with an undergraduate major in Communication Disorders can expect to complete the program in two years and be awarded a Masters of Arts in Communication Disorders with a specialization in Speech-Language Pathology. The graduate program for students without a Communication Disorders background is generally one year longer because one year of leveling is required. Enrollment in graduate courses in Communication Disorders is limited to students who have been accepted into the graduate program in Communication Disorders. To complete this course of study, each student is expected to meet the program’s academic and clinical competency criteria which are aligned with the requirements of state and national certifying bodies for licensure and clinical certification. Details regarding certification are available from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the New Mexico Regulations & Licensing Department.

The Master of Arts education program in speech-language pathology at New Mexico State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Program Requirements

The traditional Master's degree plan requires a minimum of 62 graduate credit hours and the completion of at least 400 clinical hours.

Prefix Title Credits
Elective Course
SPHS 5110Research Methods3
SPHS 5120Assessment of Communication Disorders3
SPHS 5130Pediatric Language and Disorders3
SPHS 5210School Age Language and Disorders3
SPHS 5140Speech Sound Disorders3
SPHS 5988Clinical Education2
SPHS 5990Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology13
SPHS 5220Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders3
SPHS 5350Voice Disorders/Head and Neck Anomalies3
SPHS 5230Fluency Disorders3
SPHS 5330Dysphagia3
SPHS 5340Motor Speech Disorders3
SPHS 5410Professional Issues and Multicultural Practices in Communication Disorders3
SPHS 5989Externship in Communication Disorders9
Choose one from the following:3
Cognitive Communication Disorders3
Introduction to Augmentative and Alternatice Communication3
Special Topics3
Total Credits60

Leveling Program

The Leveling Program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree other than Communication Disorders. The courses to be taken during the leveling year are listed below. In addition to these courses, students who did not complete at least one 3 credit hour course in all of the following subjects: Biology, Physics or Chemistry, and Statistics prior to starting the leveling program, should plan on completing these courses as well.

Prefix Title Credits
SPHS 4710Speech Disorders Across the Lifespan3
SPHS 4520Audiology3
SPHS 4720Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Mechanisms3
SPHS 4810Clinical Methods and Procedures3
SPHS 4820Neural Bases of Communication Disorders3
SPHS 4830Aural Rehabilitation3
SPHS 4620Speech and Hearing Science3
SPHS 4610Language Acquisition3
SPHS 4715Language Disorders Across the Life Span3
SPHS 323Phonetics3
Total Credits30