Learning how to treat patients and how to work in a clinic are critical components of our master's program in speech-language pathology. You will receive a strong clinical orientation and are required to complete extensive practicum work under close supervision at our clinics as well as at other clinics. You will interact with patients of varying ages and situations.

Length of program

Speech-hearing background
If you have a background in speech and hearing (usually a bachelor's degree), you must earn a minimum of 62 credit hours, including courses in which clinical practicum experience is acquired. Typically this takes six consecutive semesters to complete—four semesters at Ball State taking classes and doing clinical practicum and the last two semesters completing two twelve-week, full-time internships, one in a school setting and one in a nonschool setting (hospital, clinic, private practice, etc.).

Other backgrounds
If you do not have a background in speech and hearing but DO have a bachelor's degree, then you will have to take undergraduate classes to fulfill the deficiencies and obtain the knowledge needed to begin the regular graduate program. Depending on your bachelor's degree area of study, you will probably complete your master's in speech-language pathology in about nine consecutive semesters.

Either way you will complete enough clinical practicum hours to meet the ASHA clinical practicum requirements. A comprehensive examination is also required.