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WANT TO BECOME A SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST?

New Distance learning program to open January 2026

Have you thought about entering the field of speech-language pathology?  If you are interested in this career path, but have been unable to devote yourself to an in-person graduate program, then this may be the program for you. You can:

• Attend classes online in the evenings
• Take two (2) classes at a time, for 8-week sessions
• Collaborate with students from Illinois, New Mexico, and throughout the United States
• Learn from Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty who are experts in specific areas of SLP practice and have years of clinical expertise
• Complete your master’s degree in three (3) years
• Become credentialed to practice as an SLP!

The application cycle for our first cohort opens in July 2024 and will remain open through June 2025.  More information to be posted soon about applying.

About Speech-Language Pathology

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are certified to work with people of all ages to improve their communication skills, ensuring that they interact effectively with people at home, at school, at work and in the community.  SLPs assess and treat disorders involving speech articulation, receptive and expressive language, social interaction, cognitive skills, verbal fluency and voice production.  They help their clients to find and use the communication modality that is best for them, including verbal communication or an alternative communication system, such as sign language or augmentative communication device.  SLPs also evaluate and remediate feeding and swallowing disorders in infants, children and adults. 

Given their broad scope of practice, SLPs work in a variety of settings.  Schools, healthcare facilities, and private clinics are the most popular work venues for SLPs.  Speech-language pathology is a versatile discipline that allows its practitioners the chance to work with people of all ages in a variety of settings. They may specialize in the treatment of specific disorder areas, if desired.

A master’s degree is required to practice speech-language pathology in New Mexico and across the nation.  Â鶹ÊÓƵ University plans to launch the new distance education Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) degree program in January 2026. Classes will be comprised of 30-40 students. The program is completed over eight (8) semesters (three years), with initial courses beginning in January of each year. Students completing the program are prepared to enter the field of speech-language pathology, and are fully qualified to work in educational, healthcare, or clinical settings. 

BECOMING A LEWIS SLP

The Master of Science in Speech-language Pathology (MSSLP) distance learning program at Â鶹ÊÓƵ will prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a speech-language pathologist who is:

• Licensed to practice speech-language pathology
• Credentialed to work in public schools
• Prepared to work in healthcare settings
• Credentialed to work in the public school setting
• Certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA CCC-SLP)

But this is the minimum that you should expect from your Â鶹ÊÓƵ experience. What sets the Â鶹ÊÓƵ SLP program apart is your educational experience. Our faculty will partner with you during academic classes and clinical experiences, serving as supportive mentors as you work toward your goal of becoming an SLP. That partnership is critical not only when you are learning the knowledge and skills needed for clinical practice.  It will also help you develop your own style as a therapist and help you discern the specific pathway that you want to take as you enter our discipline.

The SLP faculty at Â鶹ÊÓƵ are committed to your success. We prepare you to work with clients with communication and swallowing disorders of all ages.  We will engage you in interactive learning experiences that will show you how to meet the needs of these clients in schools, healthcare settings, clinics, and in underserved venues.  As a graduate of our program, we know that you will impact our discipline in new and exciting ways.  We can’t wait to see how!

WHY LEWIS FOR YOUR ONLINE M.S. IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY DEGREE?

• Â鶹ÊÓƵ is consistently distinguished as a college of choice.
• Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #15 among Midwest Regional Universities (2024)
• Recognized as a Military Support College of Distinction (2023-24)
• Named one of the best colleges in the Midwest (Princeton Review, 2023), and as an Illinois College of Distinction (2024), and as a Catholic College of Distinction (2024)
• Choose the degree plan that works for you!
• 2-year residential graduate program, or
• 3-year online graduate program
• The online M.S. in SLP Program offers:
• Curriculum that allows for focused learning in each domain of communication and swallowing disorders
• Experienced faculty with clinical expertise in a variety of communication and swallowing disorders
• Online classes in synchronous or asynchronous formats to enhance learning and flexibility
• Evening classes
• Practicum placements that work for your lifestyle
• Affordable tuition compared to other top tier schools
• Prepares graduates to work in any setting as an entry-level speech-language pathologist

For more information, contact grad@lewisu.edu or call (815) 836-5610.

PROGRAM COST OF ATTENDANCE

We are committed to making your graduate experience a good investment. We have developed a detailed estimate of the costs of your program. This information can be reviewed here. We will work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.

EXPECTED START DATES FOR THIS PROGRAM

Pending approval by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, cohorts will begin in January. The inaugural cohort will begin in January 2026, and graduate in December 2028. A new cohort will begin in January 2027, and so on.

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