Please take time to review the following pages for question(s) pertaining to the Speech-Language Pathology program offered in the department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at East Tennessee State University. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to assist you through your application process and to facilitate your exploration of our Speech-Language Pathology program. If the answers you are seeking are not on the following pages or elsewhere on the ASLP or ETSU websites, contact: slpprogram@etsu.edu
ASLP website: http://www.etsu.edu/crhs/aslp/
ASLP clinic website: https://www.etsu.edu/chs/aslp/speechpathology/prospective/clinical.php
https://www.etsu.edu/crhs/aslp/audiology/clinicalservices.php
Frequently Asked Questions:
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How can I receive information about applying to the program?
You can access application information at Admissions Info for Master of Science in Communicative Disorders.
If you have questions on the application process, please contact Melanie Falkenberg (falkenberg@etsu.edu), Graduate Admissions Coordinator.
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When is the application deadline?
All application components must be received by February 1st for Fall admissions.
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Do you admit applicants to the Fall and Spring semesters?
We only admit students for the Fall semester.
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What are ETSU's ASLP undergraduate prerequisite course requirements in Speech and Hearing?
Coursework needed for conditional and unconditional admission consideration to the Speech-Language Pathology Program includes:
1. A minimum of three (3) credit-hours in the biological sciences.
2. A minimum of three (3) credit-hours in the physical sciences (chemistry or physics).
3. A minimum of three (3) credit-hours in statistics.
4. A minimum of six (6) credit-hours in the behavioral and/or social sciences that include study that pertains to understanding normal/abnormal human behavior, development across the lifespan, social interaction, and issues of culturally diverse populations.
5. A least fifteen (15) credit-hours in basic human communication processes, non-disorders courses with at least two (2) credits in each of the following areas of speech, language, and hearing: the anatomic and physiologic bases; the physical and psychophysical bases; and the linguistic and psycholinguistic aspects. Use the ETSU CDIS undergraduate minor (see next questions) as a guideline for these courses.
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What are my options if I don't have an undergraduate degree with a major or minor in Communication Sciences & Disorders?
ETSU offers two semesters of pre-requisite coursework in speech-language pathology solely online. You would register as a non-degree seeking special student, using the undergrad course. Then you would apply for the 2-year graduate program.
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Does ETSU offer an undergraduate major or a minor in Communicative Disorders?
ETSU offers undergraduate minor in Speech- Language Pathology. It offers the following courses only online in the area of Speech and Hearing:
• CDIS 4000, Communication Sciences and Disorders; 3 credit hours; Fall semester only
• CDIS 4017, Speech and Hearing Science I; 4 credit hours; Fall semester only
• CDIS 4037, Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech & Hearing Systems; 3 credit hours; Fall semester only
• CDIS 402, Speech and Hearing Science II; 4 credit hours; Spring semester only
• CDIS 4060, Language Development; 3 credit hours; Spring semester only
• CDIS 4200, The Clinical Process; 3 credit hours; Spring semester only
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Is ETSU's program ASHA accredited?
Yes! The master's (MS) education program in speech-language pathology at East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
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How do you prepare students to become Certified ASHA clinicians?
The course work and clinical clock hour requirements are designed for the student to obtain the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence and licensure. In addition to building a strong academic foundation, students also gain a diversity of clinical experiences in medical and educational settings for both adult and pediatric populations.
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Do you offer an M.S., M.A., or M.Ed. in CDIS-SLP?
We offer a Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from our Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology department.
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Do you have a doctoral program available in Speech-Language Pathology?
We currently only have a Master’s program of study in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
We do offer a doctoral program in Audiology
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Is a thesis or dissertation required for the Masters SLP program?
A dissertation is not required. You will need to complete a thesis OR a comprehensive exam with written and oral components is necessary to complete the program.
1. Thesis Option for the Master’s Degree. The thesis option is offered in speech-language pathology to provide students with the opportunity to develop and execute a research project with mentoring by their faculty committee. Guidance is given by the faculty advisor through all phases of a research project. The thesis requires a considerable commitment to writing and independence in meeting deadlines and should be undertaken with advice from the faculty.
2. Non-Thesis Option for the Master’s Degree. The non-thesis option for the Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders includes (1) a written exam and (2) an oral exam.
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Do you have an campus clinic?
Yes, our clinic is the Center for Audiology & Speech Language Pathology at the Nave Center. It is located at:
1000 Jason Witten Way
Elizabethton, TN 37643 -
What clinical and practicum student placements does ETSU offer?
Some of our current clinical placements are…
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What research opportunities are available in the department?
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What financial opportunities are available to Speech-Language Pathology Masters students?
Half-time graduate assistantships are available for several graduate students through the Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, which require departmental assignments ranging from 8 to 10 hours a week. Numerous campuswide graduate assistantships are also available to students. Traditionally about 50% of the incoming SLP cohort has been able to secure a graduate assistantship position, if desired.
*Indicate on the application whether you want to be considered for Graduate Assistantship: Assistantship and Scholarship FAQ:
https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/funding/scholarships.php -
What is the cost to attend ETSU?
For a full-time graduate student (9 credit hours; but typically 15 hours in our program) the tuition fees can be estimated using this calculator: ETSU New Student Tuition & Fees Estimator
For instate tuition, residents include those living in the state of TN or in the following counties:
• North Carolina: Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey
• Virginia: Grayson, Lee, Scott, Madison
*North Carolina and Virginia residents from these counties must request in-state tuition.For more details see: ETSU Admissions Border-County
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What is the average incoming class size?
The average incoming class size is now typically about 35 students.
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How large is ETSU's ASLP faculty and what are their specialties?
The faculty of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology covers a diverse field of specialties within speech-language pathology and audiology. The faculty is here to share with you current knowledge of human communication sciences and disorders.
Speech-Language Pathology:
https://www.etsu.edu/crhs/aslp/speechpathology/faculty/Audiology:
https://www.etsu.edu/crhs/aslp/audiology/faculty_staff/ -
What college is your program located in within ETSU?
The College of Health Sciences
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Where is the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology department located on ETSU's campus?
The Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology department is located on the 3rd floor of the John P. Lamb, Jr. Hall (#19 on ETSU main campus map) on the East Tennessee State University main campus.
A visitor parking pass for the day may be obtained from the Parking Services Office on 908 West Maple St. (#153 on ETSU main campus map).
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Does ETSU assist students in finding CFY (Clinical Fellowship Year) placements?
While we do not place our graduate students in their CFY, we are able to provide guidance as student’s search for their CFY.
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Does ETSU offer an on-campus daycare program?
Yes, ETSU has an on-campus daycare facility, Little Buccaneers. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 – 5:30 and serves children 3 months to 5 years of age.
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What recreational activities are available in Johnson City, TN.?
Johnson City is located in the mountain and lake country of southern Appalachia close to the state lines of North Carolina and Virginia. Area recreational activities include boating, snow-skiing, white water rafting, fishing, and hiking. Many outdoor recreational adventure programs are available through ETSUs Center for Physical Activity.
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Who can I contact for more information and where can I direct my Speech-Language Pathology questions?
You can e-mail program questions to: slpprogram@etsu.edu
If you have questions on the application process or the status of your application, please contact Melanie Falkenberg (falkenberg@etsu.edu), Graduate Admissions Counselor.
* International students, please direct questions pertaining to the process of applying to ETSU in general (i.e. visas, converting grades/GPA, etc.) to the office of International Programs and Services http://www.etsu.edu/international/student-scholar-services/.
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Who can I contact to receive a tour of the clinic facility (Nave Center)?
The ETSU SLP and AuD programs have a number of Open Houses during the Fall semester to introduce the programs to potential students. Please look out for these announcements in the SLP Admissions page or AUD Admissions page.
If you are interested in scheduling a tour, please contact at: Melanie Falkenberg (falkenberg@etsu.edu), and let her know when you will be in the Johnson City, TN area.