This master’s degree prepares you for eligibility for professional licensure as a speech-language pathologist. You'll learn methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, as well as how to integrate research principles into evidence-based clinical practice. An optional thesis is available for students interested in pursuing advanced research.In order to acquire the knowledge and skills requisite to the practice of speech-language pathology, to function in a broad variety of clinical situations, and, to render a wide spectrum of patient care, individuals must have skills and attributes in five areas: communication, motor, intellectual-cognitive, sensory-observational, and behavioral-social.The nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, including etiologies, characteristics, anatomical physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.Principles and methods of prevention, assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomicalphysiological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates of the disorders.