About the Program

The University of Southern California launched the new Master of Science Program in Speech-Language Pathology in Fall 2021. Admissions for Fall 2025 open October 1, 2024. Please see the Admissions page on this website. The best way to find out information about our program is by attending one of our Information Sessions. Information Sessions for Fall 2025 will begin in Fall 2024. Please see the schedule here.

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of Southern California is an engaging and innovative degree program designed to provide students with academic and clinical experiences so that they can apply knowledge and skills in evidence-based, ethical, and collaborative practice. Through dynamic academic courses and an expansive array of clinical experiences, and working through the values and expectations of the university, our graduates will be prepared to serve a diverse, urban community in a variety of interdisciplinary settings.

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• The USC Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) is part of the USC Caruso Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS). The OHNS Department is part of the Keck School of Medicine.  We share the values of KSOM and OHNS specifically related to inclusion, diversity and serving an urban community.
• The USC Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is an Applicant for Candidacy by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Candidacy accreditation is considered a form of accreditation given to new programs and is considered to be an accredited program by the US Department of Education, who oversees accreditation of university programs.
• The program is a full-time, two-year, six semester program. We operate in a cohort model, with a class of 25 students following the same course of learning in their academic courses.
• Students in the program will be prepared to provide speech-language pathology service in both educational and health care settings.
• Clinical assignments consider student requests and interests, but it is the responsibility of the program’s clinical faculty to ensure that students complete all clinical requirements for the 400 hours required by ASHA, as well as master the professional practice standards related to clinical performance.
• Student admission is once a year only, with the program starting in the fall.
• This program does not offer online courses or part-time status.

USC is uniquely situated in the heart of Los Angeles, one of the largest and most diverse metropolitan cities in the nation. The MS-SLP is housed within the Caruso Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS), and within the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) at USC. The program’s mission and goals reflect our commitment to innovative teaching and learning experiences. All students, faculty and staff meet monthly as a full program for Coffee and Conversation, ensuring interaction and learning together.  Due to our relationship with USC affiliated hospitals, KSOM and our own OHNS department’s specialization in voice, head and neck surgery and hearing, our students will have opportunities to learn from SLPs and professional partners in the Trojan community who are practicing at the top of their license and leading the way in these areas of practice. The same is true in other clinical settings, including private practices and urban school settings, consistent with the mission of both the program and the university to reach and serve this community. Additionally, USC is a premier research institution. Our students have opportunities to work side-by-side with researchers across disciplines in our unique Capstone experience. We capitalize on our vibrant city and the strength of our university’s research, medical and educational standing which offer unlimited opportunities for creativity in teaching and training.

The University of Southern California Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program will graduate students who can:

• Engage in the pursuit of excellence in the clinical care of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders
• Approach clinical problems from an ethical, family-centered, research-oriented, and problem-solving perspective in the prevention, identification, assessment, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders
• Apply clinical training within healthcare settings offering services for a wide range of medically related disorders and disabilities
• Apply clinical training within urban school settings that emphasize services with an expansive array of childhood disorders and disabilities
• Obtain appropriate licensure, credentialing, and certification across all settings

The University of Southern California Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate the principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in clinical activities across settings and across the lifespan.
• Apply knowledge of cultural and linguistic correlates in the prevention, assessment, and intervention for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in clinical activities across settings and across the lifespan.
• Integrate research principles into evidence-based practice.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically, engage in ethical decision-making and utilize effective professional and interpersonal oral and written communication skills.
• Engage in interprofessional collaborative practice with related professionals in interdisciplinary, team-based, comprehensive service delivery models.
• Exhibit clinical competence for an entry-level practitioner in the evaluation, intervention, and application of professional and personal skills, including cultural sensitivity and compassionate care.

The University of Southern California Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program is committed to the policy that all individuals shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by the University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The University of Southern California prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at the University of Southern California.

View our NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The University of Southern California Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program holds strict adherence to the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as the Integrity and Accountability Code of the University of Southern California.