Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, M.S.
Master of Science
About this program
The Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences prepares you to become a licensed speech-language pathologist. You’ll study communication disorders, learn diagnostic and therapy skills, and gain clinical experience with clients of all ages. This program meets professional certification and licensing requirements. It’s designed for those who want to help people improve their communication and quality of life through evidence-based practice.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at SF State prepares you for a career as a speech-language pathologist through a strong mix of academic study and hands-on clinical training. You build skills in assessment, intervention, and professional practice across speech, language, literacy, voice, fluency, hearing, and swallowing, with supervised experiences that help you translate classroom learning into real client care.
The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, and the curriculum is designed to meet requirements for ASHA certification, the California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, and California licensure. You are trained in a department that centers equity and antiracism, and you will learn to provide culturally responsive services while grounding your decisions in research and evidence-based practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze communication and swallowing processes and disorders across the lifespan using anatomic, physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural correlates.
(Standard IV-B and Standard IV-C)
(assumes Standard IV-A is a prerequisite for IV-B and IV-C) - Plan and conduct appropriate evaluation and screening procedures to develop a diagnosis and make recommendations for intervention, prevention, or referral that reflect current knowledge, research, and standards of prevention, assessment, and intervention. (Standard IV-D, Standard IV-F and Standard V-B (1)
- Plan and conduct appropriate interventions with measurable and achievable goals; measure, evaluate, and report on client progress; modify plan as needed in response to progress. (Standard V-B (2)
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills appropriate for clinical professional interventions with clients, family, caregivers, peers, and administrative groups. (Standard V-A)
- Demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice. (Standard IV-F)
- Contribute to the care of an individual in a culturally sensitive way, working as part of a team of caregivers, providing counseling, and adhering to the ASHA Code of Ethics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues including local, state, and national regulations, certifications, licensure, professional practice, legal requirements, and ASHA ethical principles and standards. (Standard IV-E, IV-G, IV-H)