September 5, 2024
East Texas Baptist University is proud to announce significant milestones in its Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program, including Candidacy for Accreditation, the opening of the application portal, and the launch of a new Leveling Track.
The MS-SLP program at ETBU was granted Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on May 29, 2024. This “pre-accreditation” status was given based on a thorough review of all candidacy materials for the program, including the application, site visit report, and the program’s correspondence throughout the review period. This exciting acknowledgment recognizes the MS-SLP program as a developing or emerging initiative, positioning it for future success in the field of speech-language pathology.
In line with its mission to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a Christ-centered impact in the field of speech-language pathology, ETBU is launching a new Leveling Track. This track is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and are seeking to transition into the MS-SLP program.
The Leveling Track, offered online beginning in Spring 2025, comprises 24 credits of essential coursework. Students who complete the required leveling courses will be eligible to apply for the Fall 2025 graduate cohort by February 1, 2025. It is important to note that all leveling coursework, whether completed at ETBU or another institution, must be finished before beginning graduate-level classes.
Applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and an overall GPA of 3.0 within leveling courses to be considered for admission to the graduate program. Completion of the leveling courses does not guarantee acceptance into the MS-SLP program.
The MS-SLP program also emphasizes the importance of a broad general education, requiring students to complete specific non-CSD courses in biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics as part of the ASHA certification requirements.
Prospective students interested in the ETBU Leveling Track can submit their undergraduate application through ETBU Adult Education at www.etbu.edu/apply. Students enrolled in the ETBU Leveling Track program are eligible to receive a Life-long Learning Grant, covering one-third of the tuition for leveling courses.
Upon admission, students will be assigned an ETBU academic advisor for personalized course advising and enrollment support.
The application portal for ETBU’s MS-SLP program is now open and accessible through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). This centralized application service streamlines the process for prospective students, allowing them to apply to multiple programs with a single application. The deadline for submitting applications to the MS-SLP program is February 1, 2025. Interested applicants can visit https://www.csdcas.org/ to apply.
East Texas Baptist University is committed to fostering a Christ-centered learning environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and character needed to make a meaningful impact in their chosen fields. The MS-SLP program within ETBU’s School of Communication and Performing Arts embodies this mission of the University by equipping students called to the field of speech-language pathology with the competence and confidence to help families and individuals across the lifespan, and from diverse backgrounds, facing the impact of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders as well as communication differences.
For more information about the ETBU Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and the Leveling Track program, visit https://www.etbu.edu/msslp.