FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Communication Disorders (MCD) education program in speech-language pathology at Louisiana State University-Health Sciences Center, Shreveport 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. 

A strong liberal arts focus is recommended at the undergraduate level. A master’s degree is required for clinical certification and licensure.

No. The program welcomes applications from students across all undergraduate majors.

Yes. Applicants must submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score from within the last five years to GRE DI code 2231 to be considered for admission. There is no minimum score; however, the GRE score is heavily weighted in the evaluation and ranking of applications.The GRE scores have to be from within the past five years. For applicants who have taken the exam multiple times, the program only counts the most recent scores for all sections (no super-scoring).

Possibly. Our policy is to use the most recent GRE scores. Applicants who feel they can improve their scores significantly are encouraged to consider retaking the GRE.

Information about the GRE process is available on-line and at libraries. Familiarity with the GRE format is important. Knowledge of word formation (prefixes, suffixes, Latin and Greek root forms, etc.) helps one to deduce meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary. Review of mathematic fundamentals is important. One should avoid trial and error approaches to problem solving due to time constraints.

Visit ets.org for more information. 

The program can accommodate up to 20 new students each year.

Undergraduate transcripts should document successful completion of one or more courses in each of the following four areas:

#1) biological science,

#2) chemistry or physics,

#3) statistics, and

#4) social/behavioral sciences. 

Visit Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards for more information. Any questions related to undergraduate prerequisites courses should be directed to the Admissions Committee. 

Courses that emphasize spoken and written communication, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning help to prepare students for the graduate program. Courses in statistics, foreign language, grammar, linguistics, public speaking, behavior modification, psychology, and anatomy are recommended.

Preference is given to residents of Louisiana; however, out-of-state applicants will be considered for admission. Residents of Arkansas and Texas are eligible for non-resident fee waivers so that they may be considered in-state residents for the purposes of tuition.

No. Full-time enrollment is necessary to meet the academic and clinical requirements of the program.

Academic and clinical assignments are scheduled during weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. While most students find it difficult to work during graduate school, some have been successful while working a part-time job on weekends.

Yes. The research interests of the faculty are varied, and students are encouraged to gain experience by working with faculty on projects. Research opportunities are available in many areas, including ethics, phonological disorders, craniofacial anomalies, voice disorders, autistic spectrum, animal-assisted therapy, early literacy, swallowing disorders, neurogenic cognitive-communicative disorders, technological applications, and linguistic.

The program provides students with a broad range of educational experiences to meet certification and licensure requirements. As part of a major health sciences center, the program enables students to participate in professional services / observations such as the high-risk follow-up clinic, the Children’s Center, the cleft palate clinic, toddler and preschool language groups, an adult neurogenic group, Scottish Rite clinic, and many other clinical settings.

The website of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has much information about the profession.

Yes. The demand for speech-language pathologists remains very high.

The program’s pass rate on the PRAXIS has been 94.59% over the past three years (2017, 2018, & 2019).

For additional information regarding the program, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Heather Anderson at heather.anderson@lsuhs.edu Please consider a campus visit to meet the faculty and students, and to learn more about our graduate program in speech-language pathology.