Healthcare
Pre-Master of Speech-Language Pathology
Our online pre-MSLP program helps you complete all prerequisite coursework in preparation for pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology.
16 Weeks
Complete all prerequisite coursework in one trimester lasting 16 weeks
25 Observation Hours
Get the opportunity to complete 25 supervised observation hours in the field
5 Courses
Take five courses to fulfill the prerequisites for the MLSP program
Pre-MSLP Program Highlights
Curriculum designed for students looking to complete MSLP prerequisite coursework
Opportunity to gain the necessary observation hours to apply for the MSLP program
Clinical-based lab components to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application
One-on-one support every step of the way, from dedicated admissions advisors to accessible faculty
Why Complete the Pre-MSLP Program?
Speech-language pathologists can work directly with a wide range of patients — from kids with cleft palates to adults recovering from strokes or illnesses.1 It’s a rewarding career with real-world impact.
If this sounds like the right path for you, but you don’t meet the requirements to pursue a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology, our pre-MSLP program can help. Complete prerequisite coursework while gaining observation hours and experience.
While graduates of the pre-MSLP program do not obtain a degree, the leveling courses help students prepare to enroll in their desired graduate program.
Explore the Pre-MSLP program at WCU!
Overview: Pre-Master of Speech-Language Pathology
Program Details
Program Pace
Distance Education/Online
14 Credits
4 Months
1 Trimesters
Curriculum
| MSLP Pre-requisite Leveling Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| SLP 500 | Phonological Sciences with Lab | 3 |
| SLP 502 | Language Development with Lab | 3 |
| SLP 504 | Guided Observation and Clinical Procedures with Lab | 2 |
| SLP 506 | Clinical Audiology with Lab | 3 |
| SLP 508 | Anatomy & Physiology of the Communication & Swallowing Mechanisms with Lab | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 | |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the Pre-MSLP Program Cost?
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of Pre-MSLP tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the Pre-MSLP program costs at West Coast University.
We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.
For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Online – Undergraduate
Cost Per Credit Hour |
|||
| Non-Military Rate | Veteran Rate1 | Active Duty Rate2 | |
| Speech Language Pathology | $305 | $260 | $250 |
Fees
| Non-Military Rate | Veteran Rate1 | Active Duty Rate2 | ||
| Administrative Fee (per semester/trimester) (1-3 units) | $250 | $250 | $0 | |
| Administrative Fee (per semester/trimester) (4+ units) | $500 | $500 | $0 | |
| Speech Language Pathology Supplies Fee5 | $100 | $100 | $100 | |
| Speech Language Pathology Supplies Fee5 (Fall 1 Start) | $145 | $145 | $0 | |
Note: Some courses require On-site Intensive (OSI) weekends and precepted hours. Students enrolled through the Orange County campus must complete their OSI’s in California and students enrolled through the Texas campus must complete their OSI’s in Texas. Travel costs are not included in the individual course cost, and students are responsible for arranging transportation. Please check with your academic program director for more information.
1 Rate provided to Veterans, Veteran Spouse, dependents utilizing parent’s veteran’s education benefits, and Veterans Affairs employees.
2 Rate provided to Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, and Department of Defense employees.
3 Rate provided to Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, Veterans, Veteran Spouse, Department of Defense employees, dependents utilizing parent’s veteran’s education benefits, and Veterans Affairs employees.
4 The ATI Material Fee is only charged once to a student’s account when the student attempts their first nursing-core course.
5 Speech Language Pathology Supplies Fee includes books for SLP504. Fall 1 2022 Cohort will also include charges for Video Observation System and Simulation Modules. This fee is only charged once to a student’s account upon beginning the non-degree seeking coursework.
Admission Requirements
A prospective student will qualify for admissions if the following requirements are met:
- Proof of high school graduation or equivalent
- A transcript of a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Meet all programmatic admissions criteria
- Participate in an interview with a university admissions advisor
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Complete and execute an enrollment agreement. If the applicant is under the age of 18, enrollment documents must be signed by a parent or guardian.
For a complete list of university admission requirements, please visit our catalog.
Career Services
Your Resource for Professional and Career Development
At West Coast University, we have a dedicated Career Services team that can begin assisting you with career planning and professional development from your very first term.2 They are a great tool available to you throughout the pre-MSLP program, MSLP program, and even after graduation.
The resources available through the Career Services department include one-on-one career guidance, help locating open jobs, resume-writing aid, interview coaching, and professional development workshops.
Featured Faculty
Regina Bush, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dean, Speech-Language Pathology
Regina Lemmon Bush, MSP, PhD, CCC-SLP is the Dean of the Speech-Language Pathology program at West Coast University. Clinically, she has worked as an SLP in a variety of clinical settings, including schools, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, travel therapy, and hospital settings.
Since 2002, Dr. Bush has held the titles of Adjunct Professor, Clinical Supervisor, Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, External Placement Director, and Program Director in two CAA-accredited speech-language pathology programs and one undergraduate speech-language pathology program. She has also served as an adjunct instructor in an occupational therapy master’s program to provide students with an interprofessional education. These experiences led to her teaching innovations, which infuse clinical education into academic course instruction.
During her tenure at Columbia College, Dr. Bush revamped the program curriculum to include experiential learning, scenario-based learning, mock therapy sessions, student-mentored research, service-learning projects with a variety of newly established community partners, and a summer camp for toddlers with language and hearing impairments. She has mentored new faculty members to provide these instructional techniques within their courses.
Dr. Bush is a proponent of student-mentored research. Her areas of interest in student-mentored research are health literacy, non-mainstream dialects, language/literacy, and scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). Her students (graduate and undergraduate) have presented numerous student-mentored research at state and national conferences (ASHA and NBASLH) for over a decade.
Dr. Bush honed her leadership skills in Council on Academic Programs in Communication Sciences & Disorders (CAPCSD) Leadership Academy Cohort II and community service work in various organizations. She has served as the President of the South Carolina Speech-Language Hearing Association (SCSHA), an ASHA Advisory Council Member, and the Vice Chairperson of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Advisory Council.
As an accomplished and highly respected professional in her field, Dr. Bush has received the University of South Carolina’s Communication Sciences & Disorders Department’s Inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award, Columbia College’s Career Achievement Award, as well as South Carolina Independent College & University’s Professor of the Year Award for innovative program development and instruction. She is also a contributing author for the textbook Leadership in Speech-Language Pathology. Dr. Bush enjoys painting, traveling, and spending time with her family.
FAQs
How fast can I complete the MSLP prerequisites through the pre-MSLP program?
Our pre-MSLP program allows you to complete prerequisite coursework and observation hours in one trimester (16 weeks).
Who is the ideal candidate for the pre-MSLP program?
The program is designed for students who did not complete their bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders. If you completed an undergraduate degree in a different field and are now interested in pursuing an education in speech-language pathology, the pre-MSLP helps you catch up with requirements.
What is a leveling course?
A leveling course is a class or program designed to prepare you to pursue a graduate degree. Our pre-MSLP leveling courses help bridge the gap between your existing knowledge and the pre-requisites of an MSLP education, ensuring you have the groundwork necessary to begin the Master of Speech-Language Pathology program.
Will I be logging in for live classes with my classmates?
The program combines both synchronous and asynchronous classes. This means there will be times when you can log on concurrently with your professor and classmates (synchronous), as well as times when you’ll access the virtual classroom to watch lectures and complete assignments on your own time (asynchronous). This provides flexibility while also giving you the opportunity to connect with faculty and peers.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Speech-Language Pathologists,” Updated Sept. 28, 2022
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
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