Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Science program in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at UNM prepares students to become professional speech-language pathologists. Our learning objectives are designed to give students balanced preparation across the scope of practice in our field, so our graduates are well-prepared for the many employment opportunities that are available in this state and nationwide. 

On average, full-time students who already have a bachelor's degree in speech and hearing sciences complete the program in six semesters over a two year period.  Students who need to do leveling courses (prerequisite undergraduate courses in SHS) complete the program between six to ten semesters.  On average, part-time students with an SHS bachelor's degree who take six credits per semester complete the program between 10 to 12 semesters.

The Masters of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at University of New Mexico 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. The program is designed so that students can complete all academic and clinical credentialing requirements of ASHA and of the New Mexico Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices board.

The UNM Speech-Language-Hearing Center adheres to the UNM policy regarding equal opportunity, which forbids unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sex, sexual preference, ancestry, veteran status, gentic information or medical condition.

The UNM program has a number of distinctive features:

• special focus on multilingual and multicultural issues in service delivery and research
• access to a diversity of clinical sites and populations
• opportunities for students to be involved in faculty research

Broad Program Learning Goals for this Degree/Certificate Program

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s, Council on Academic Accreditation in speech-language pathology and audiology, accredits the University of New Mexico’s graduate program in speech-language pathology (SLP). 

By the completion of the graduate SLP program, graduate students are expected to:  

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively diagnose an individual with a communication and/or swallowing disorder.
• Exhibit knowledge and skills to effectively formulate an intervention plan for an individual with a communication and/or swallowing disorder.
• Develop knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) in clinical service delivery. 

For more information on the graduate SLP program, please download the following documents (in pdf format):

• Letter from the Department Chair
• SHS Graduate Student Handbook 2024-2025
• SHS Graduate Student Handbook 2023-2024
• SHS Graduate Student Handbook 2022-2023
• SHS Graduate Student Handbook 2021-2022
• Master's Thesis Guidelines
• Graduate Assistantship requirements document

The following data may be of interest to our current and prospective graduate students:  

Student Outcome Data

Praxis Examination Pass Rates (data collected from ETS)

For information about speech-language pathology and audiology programs throughout the U.S., including further information about UNM’s SLP graduate program, go to:  http://www.asha.org/edfind/