COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology at The University of Alabama is a structured clinical-professional program requiring approximately 61–64 credit hours and a carefully sequenced progression of academic coursework, clinical training, and elective specialization across two years. The curriculum is designed to integrate classroom instruction with progressively intensive clinical practicum experiences, beginning in the first year with limited clinic hours (about 5–10 hours in fall, increasing to 10–15 in spring, and 15–20 in summer) and culminating in a full-time clinical experience in the second year (around 40 hours). Core coursework spans foundational and advanced areas of communicative disorders, including language development and disorders (CD 509, CD 512), phonological assessment (CD 551), neurology of communication (CD 552, CD 553), fluency and counseling (CD 554), voice disorders (CD 555), motor speech disorders (CD 556), and swallowing disorders in children and adults (CD 575, CD 576). Students also complete professional and research training through courses such as CD 501 (Introduction to Research Methods), CD 515 (Professional Seminar), and CD 508 (Diagnostic Practicum), ensuring both evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making skills. Elective options allow further specialization in areas like autism spectrum disorders, medical speech-language pathology, aphasia, counseling, and sociolinguistics, as well as opportunities for independent study or thesis work (CD 599). The program’s sequencing reflects a developmental model, where students first build theoretical and diagnostic foundations, then transition into advanced intervention and full-time clinical application. Overall, the degree is designed to prepare graduates for professional certification and licensure by combining rigorous academic preparation with extensive supervised clinical experience across diverse communication disorders and patient populations.