Master of Speech Language Pathology

Applicants for the Master Speech Language Pathology program must have:

1. Obtained a baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Language Pathology from an accredited post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher; excluding post-baccalaureate coursework. WCU allows MSLP prospective applicants to “challenge” pre-master’s courses with a cumulative grade point average below 3.0. See MSLP Challenge Credit policy, OR

2. Obtained a baccalaureate degree that is not in Communication Sciences and Disorder, Speech Language Pathology, with completion of the following courses with a "C" or better from an accredited post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education approved by the Program Dean.

   1. Phonological Science (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   2. Language Development (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   3. Guided observations and Clinical Procedures (2.0 semester or 1.5 quarter credits)

   4. Clinical Audiology (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   5. Anatomy and Physiology of the Communication & Swallowing Mechanism (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   6. Applicants with an undergraduate degree not in Communication Sciences and Disorder, Speech Language Pathology, must achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0.

3. Completed the following prerequisite courses with a “C” or better.  Specific information about courses that will satisfy these prerequisite requirements can be found on the American Speech-Language Hearing Association website.  Students can still be admitted without the ASHA prerequisite courses; however, the courses must be completed with the submission of official transcripts no later than the completion of the individual’s third trimester in the program. The ASHA pre-requisites courses include the following:  

   1. Statistics (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   2. Social and Behavioral Science (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   3. Physics or Chemistry (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

   4. Biological Science (3.0 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)

4. A minimum of 25 direct and guided observation hours with an American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certified Speech Language Pathologist.

5. Three letters (3) of reference:

   1. One (1) from a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist

   2. Two (2) from a faculty member, academic advisor, or a supervisor.

6. Participate in a qualitative admissions interview.

7. Submitted a completed application with official transcripts through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science and Disorders system (CSDCAS).

8.  West Coast University requires proof of English Proficiency. Applicants for whom English is not their primary language should refer to the University Admissions Requirements section of the catalog.

Applications can be submitted during enrollment in an undergraduate degree program or while completing required coursework. However, pending degrees, coursework or other requirements must be completed and verified through CSDCAS by the deadline to apply.  

1. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.3-2.99 may be considered for conditional admission after meeting the following admissions requirements:

• The applicant must provide a letter of intent.

• The applicant must be approved for admission following an interview with the Program Director/Dean.

• The applicant must satisfy program prerequisites.

1. A student admitted under the conditional admissions pathway must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all coursework attempted over the first trimester (two terms). Students who meet this standard will be converted to a full admit status and will be subject to the standard Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement for the duration of their program.  Students failing to meet this requirement by the end of the first trimester (two terms) will be withdrawn from the university.    

2. Students accepted under the probationary admissions pathway will be considered regular students and eligible for Title IV, if the student otherwise qualifies for funding, for the first trimester of their program of study while completing the requirements for full admission to their program. 

Applicants are conditionally accepted to the Master of Speech Language Pathology program until a non-refundable $250.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit has been submitted. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier's check made payable to West Coast University. A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund.

A Speech-Language Pathology student will be dismissed from the program if:

1. A grade of "C" or lower is received in any course.

2. The minimum cumulative GPA as specified for each trimester is not met:

   a. At the completion of the 1st trimester, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5

   b. At the completion of the 2nd trimester, have a cumulative GPA of 2.7

   c. At the completion of the 3rd trimester, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0

   Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the remaining trimester of the program.

3. An incomplete grade is unresolved or results in a grade of “C” or lower.

4. Withdraws from one or more classes.

5. Refuses a clinical placement (course requirement).

6. The maximum timeframe of trimesters to complete the program is exceeded.

The MSLP Program has two mandatory on-site intensives that provide in-person experience to help students prepare for their clinical experience hours. Students enrolled through the Orange County Campus will complete their OSIs at the Center for Graduate Studies campus, located at 590 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA, and the La Palma Learning Site, located at 2411 W, La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA. Students enrolled through the Texas Campus, will complete their OSIs at the Texas Campus located at 2323 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080.