MA-SLP Prerequisite Information

Clinical Observation

Many programs require clinical observation before entry into their programs; however, the OSU program does not and instead provides this experience in the first term of the MA-SLP program.

Prerequisite Courses

Although prerequisite courses do not need to be completed before applying to the program, admission will be contingent upon successful completion of all prerequisites before the start of classes. Please be aware that having a large number of outstanding prerequisite courses to take at the time of application may cause evaluators to lower their estimation of the competitiveness of the application. As many prerequisites as possible should be completed by the time you apply. At least one course in each of the following areas is required: 

  • Phonetics and phonetic transcription (SPHHRNG 3320 at OSU) 
  • Normal language development (SPHHRNG 3330 at OSU)
  • Anatomy, physiology and science of speech (SPHHRNG 4420 at OSU)
  • An introductory course in audiology focusing on evaluation (SPHHRNG 4540 at OSU)
  • Aural rehabilitation (SPHHRNG 5732 at OSU)
  • Research Methods (SPHHRNG 5785 at OSU)
    • Note: Any course with “research methods” in the title will suffice
      • PSYCH 2300 at OSU is another example for this prerequisite 

Note: At many schools, including OSU, the audiology course and aural rehabilitation course each have their own prerequisites and this creates a sequence of four courses. Students without a strong background in science and math are encouraged to take the full sequence: SHS 3340 Basic Acoustics; SHS 4440 Anatomy, Physiology, and Science of Hearing; SHS 4540 Introduction to Audiology; and SHS 5732 Aural Rehabilitation.

Students who plan to take SHS 4540 or 5732 at OSU and who feel comfortable taking those courses without their prerequisites should contact the course instructor(s) to ask whether the instructor would allow them to take the course without its prerequisites.

  • a course in college-level statistics
  • a course in college-level physics or chemistry
  • a course in behavioral/social sciences
  • a course in biological sciences, which emphasizes content related to human or animal sciences such as biology; human anatomy and physiology; neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; human genetics; veterinary science

The most up-to-date OSU course descriptions can be found in the course catalog

Options for Completing the Prerequisite Courses

Are You:

  1. A current OSU student not majoring in Speech and Hearing Science?

    Schedule an appointment with Undergraduate Advisor, Maria Roth roth.595@osu.edu to discuss options for the best way for you to complete the prerequisite courses. 

  2. An undergraduate student at another college or university?

    Students who are working on an undergraduate degree at a university that has some, or all, of the prerequisite courses available can take the courses at that university as electives—a degree in Speech and Hearing Science is not necessary for admission. If not all of the courses are offered, the remainder can be taken on-line.

    Some students take the prerequisite courses as online distance education through OSU or other universities that offer equivalent courses. The Department of Speech and Hearing Science at OSU has a Summer Prerequisite Bridge Program, which offers many of the pre-requisite courses online. Students can complete up to four online courses during the OSU Summer Semester.

  3. A student who has already earned a bachelor's degree in a field outside Speech and Hearing Science (Post-Baccalaureate)?

Students who have earned a bachelor's degree in a field outside Speech and Hearing Science and are interested in learning more about the prerequisites to apply to the MA-SLP program should review the following information:

Please direct questions regarding prerequisites to Graduate Program Coordinator, Sarah Wendel at wendel.13@osu.edu.