ONLINE Master of Sciencein
Speech-LanguagePathology
Pepperdine University is launching the new online Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) in fall 2025. This program is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of speech-language pathology within the framework of a strong clinical emphasis and guided by Pepperdine?s Christian mission. Courses within the program present various aspects of the art and science of speech-language pathology as they are applied to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communicative disorders.
Accreditation Status
CAA-ASHA
TheMaster of Science(MS) educationprogramin Speech-LanguagePathology(distanceeducation) at PepperdineUniversityisanapplicant forcandidacybythe Council onAcademicAccreditationinAudiologyand Speech-LanguagePathologyof theAmerican Speech-Language-HearingAssociation,2200Research Boulevard,#310,Rockville,MD20850,800 498 2071or 301 296 5700
WSCUC
TheMaster of Science(MS) educationprogramin Speech-LanguagePathologyat PepperdineUniversityis pendingapproval bytheWesternAssociationof Schoolsand Colleges(WASC) Senior College&UniversityCommission (WSCUC),1080MarinaVillageParkway,#500,Alameda,CA 94501,510.748.9001.
Trimesters Full-Time Trimesters Part-Time
MISSION, VISION, GOALS, OUTCOMES
Mission Statement
PepperdineUniversity?sSpeech-LanguagePathologyprogramcommitsitself todeliveringexcellenceinitsacademicandclinical preparationprograms,bothgroundedinChristianvalues,todevelopskilledandcaringspeech-languagepathologists(SLPs) who possessadevotiontotheir patients,aheart for service,andadesiretoleadwithintheprofession
ProgramVisionStatement
PepperdineUniversityfacultyandstudentswill beleadersin theprofessionof speech-languagepathologyby
- Preparingexcellent speech-languagepathologists,
- Developingdistinguishedfacultymembers,
- Generatingresearchthat advancesthefield,and
- Servingthelocal andglobal communities.
ProgramGoals
- Providestudentswithexcellent academicinstructionand clinical educationgroundedinChristianvaluesand professionalism
- Advancetheprofessionof speech-languagepathology throughresearchandprofessional development.
- Servethecommunityinmeaningful waystoimprovethe livesof others
Admission and Tuition
ApplicationRequirements
ProgramLearningOutcomes
- Integrateknowledgeandskillsof theprevention, identification,evaluation,andtreatment of patientswith speech,language,andswallowingdisordersacrossthe lifespantobecomecompetent practitioners
- Applyknowledgeandskillstobecomeresponsible producersandconsumersof researchtoadvancethefield of SLPandimprovepatient outcomesthrough evidence-basedpractice
- Practicewiththehighest level of professionalism, includingprofessional duty,accountability,ethics,service, andChristianvalues.
- Communicateusinginterpersonal skillsthat honor the preferredmodeof communication,cultural/linguistic backgrounds,andvaluesof patients,families,and relevant others
All studentswhoaregrantedfull admissiontotheSLPprogramareexpectedtodemonstrateacapacityforprofessional success, clinical excellence,andalifeof purpose,service,andleadership Theminimumrequirementsforadmissioninclude:
- Nonrefundableapplicationfeeof $65
- Completedundergraduatedegree(BA/BS),withanoverall GPAof 3 000or higher
- Completionof requiredfoundational coursesincommunicativedisorders
- Applicantswhohavenot completedtherequiredfoundational coursesmaybeadmittedtocompletethosecoursesinadvance of full admissiontotheprogram
- Submissionof thespeech-languagepathologygraduateapplication
- Threelettersof recommendation,twofrompreviousfacultymembers
- Astatement of interest andcapacityforsuccessinthefieldof speech-languagepathology
Admission Deadlines
Studentsmayapplyfor admissiontobegintheprogramwiththefall (August),spring(January),or summer (May) cohort. Applicationsareacceptedthroughout theyearandreviewedbytheadmissionscommitteeonarollingbasis
Leah I. Fullman, CCC-SLP Dean
School of Speech-LanguagePathology
PepperdineUniversity
leah.fullman@pepperdine.edu
LeahFullmanisaclinician,researcher,and academician Shehasworkedfor medical centers, privateclinics,andschool districts,servingavery diversecaseloadof childrenfromNICUthrough age21 Shehasspecializedtrainingandresearch experienceinthespeech/languageand feeding/swallowingneedsof medicallycomplex children,includingprematureinfants,craniofacial anomalies,andthoserequiringtrach/vent,feeding tubes,andNMEStreatment
Sheservedasfoundingdeanof theCollegeof HealthSciencesat FaulknerUniversity,guidingthe development of graduateprofessional programsin speech-languagepathology,physical therapy, occupational therapy,andphysicianassistant studies,aswell asanundergraduateprogramin andaPhDprograminhealthsciences Duringthe development process,sheoversawthe constructionof anew85,000square-foot health sciencecenter,includinga15,000-squarefoot interprofessional probonoclinical center,andwas amember of theadvancement teamacquiring grantstofundthenewCollegeof HealthSciences andthehealthsciencecenter DrFullmanserves asatrusteefortheRockyMountainUniversity boardof trustees. Shealsoworksasan accreditationconsultant for universitiesdeveloping programsinthehealthsciencesandasalegal consultant for caseswithinher scopeof practice.
Tuition
Programtuitionhasnot beenfinalized Forplanningpurposes, studentsmayexpect atuitionrateof approximately$1,800per credit hour Total programtuitioniscurrentlyestimatedtobe$95,400
Financial Aid
Pepperdineiscommittedtoprovidingstudentswithfinancial aid resourcestomeet theeducational costsof attendinggraduatestudy. Staff membersassist studentswithall financial aidprocesses includingapplicationprocedures,resourcecomparison,andthe utilizationof funds.
ASHARequirements
TheMSSLPisintendedtopreparestudentsfor licensureand certificationeligibilityinCaliforniaandmanyotherstates Admission doesnot guaranteethat studentswill obtainalicenseor certificate. Informationconcerninglicensureandcredentialingrequirementsby stateisavailableontheASHAwebsite ASHAstandardsfor certificationinSpeech-LanguagePathologyrequiredemonstrated knowledgeof thefollowingareas:biological sciences,physicsor chemistry,statistics,andsocial/behavioral sciences(StandardIV-A)
Curriculum
TheMaster of ScienceinSpeech-LanguagePathologyat Pepperdine Universityisadistanceeducationprogramcarefullydesignedtohelp graduatesearneligibilityfortheCertificateof Clinical Competencein Speech-LanguagePathology(CCC-SLP).
COURSESEQUENCE
1 SLP610 IntrotoSLPPractice
SLP611 AdvancedAnatomyandPhysiologyfor SLP
SLP612 PediatricLanguageandCognitiveDisorders
SLP613 PediatricSpeechSoundDisorders
SLP614 ResearchMethods
SLP691 Clinical MethodsandPracticum1
2 SLP620 PediatricDysphagia
SLP621 Adult Dysphagia
SLP622 Adult LanguageandCognitiveDisorders
SLP623 Adult MotorSpeechDisorders
SLP692 Clinical MethodsandPracticum2
3 SLP630 FluencyDisorders
SLP631 Voice&ResonanceDisorders
SLP632 Aural HabilitationandRehabilitation
SLP633 Social CommunicationDisorders,Behavior,and Neurodiversity
SLP634 AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication
SLP693 Clinical MethodsandPracticum3
4 SLP640 ProfessionalismPortfolio
SLP694 Clinical MethodsandPracticum4
5 SLP650 EBPPortfolio
SLP695 Clinical MethodsandPracticum5
6
7
8
Full-andpart-timeprogramsrequirethree,one-weekonsite experiences(OE) at thePepperdineCalabasasCampus.
- OE1:Priortotrimester 1;OE1includesnewstudent orientation
- OE2:Aftertrimester 3forfull-timestudents,after trimester6for part-timestudents,
- OE2includesSLP635Professional Practice Competencies
- OE3:Afterthefinal trimesterOE3includesgraduation
SLP610 IntrotoSLPPractice
SLP611 AdvancedAnatomyandPhysiologyfor SLP
SLP614 ResearchMethods
SLP612 PediatricLanguageandCognitiveDisorders
SLP613 PediatricSpeechSoundDisorders
SLP691 Clinical MethodsandPracticum1
SLP620 PediatricDysphagia
SLP621 Adult Dysphagia
SLP622 Adult LanguageandCognitiveDisorders
SLP623 Adult MotorSpeechDisorders
SLP692 Clinical MethodsandPracticum2
SLP630 FluencyDisorders
SLP631 Voice&ResonanceDisorders
SLP632 Aural HabilitationandRehabilitation
SLP633 Social CommunicationDisorders,Behavior,and Neurodiversity
SLP634 AugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication
SLP693 Clinical MethodsandPracticum3
SLP640 ProfessionalismPortfolio
SLP694 Clinical MethodsandPracticum4
SLP650 EBPPortfolio
SLP695 Clinical MethodsandPracticum5
Foundational Prerequisites Offered
SLP500 Surveyof CommunicationDisordersAcrosstheLifespan
SLP501 AnatomyandPhysiologyfor Speech,Hearing,and Swallowing
SLP502 LanguageDevelopment
SLP503 PhoneticsandAcoustics
SLP504 Foundationsof Audiology
SLP509 Clinical ObservationsandFoundations
Establishing aCollegeof Health Scienceis among the most ambitious initiatives ever undertaken by theUniversity.
JimGash President and CEO PepperdineUniversity