Speech-Language Pathology Master’s (SLP) Degree Program Statewide Distance Venue

To address the shortage of master’s level speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Texas schools, a partnership was formed with Texas education service centers, Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Texas Education Agency (TEA), and local educational entities to provide a master’s degree program for both in-field and out-of-field students.  The program utilizes videoconferencing, web-based instruction, and clinical experiences on school campuses, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.  Successful program completion prepares graduates to apply for Texas licensure in speech pathology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification. The master of science education program in speech-language pathology at Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  The Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) provides statewide coordination of the program and, along with other participating ESCs, assists students by providing classroom sites and classroom coordinators.

While applicants accepted into this program will be fully prepared to serve in any professional setting, this program is intended to help ameliorate the shortage of licensed, certified SLPs in Texas public schools and is open only to those committed to employment with a public school district or charter school.

The SLP Distance Learning Venue is designed to allow students to work in the schools as licensed speech-language pathology assistants while completing the requirements for the master’s degree. Each student must secure sponsorship from an educational entity (e.g., school district or charter school) and maintain it throughout the master’s program.  Students must attend classes in a participating ESC.

The program also provides the opportunity to complete a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology.  Students interested in pursuing this certificate will take additional coursework and complete bilingual practicum hours while in the program.

If you are an "out of field" interested candidate (your bachelor's degree is in a field other than speech-language pathology) please read about leveling courses here:

Cycle 12 Information Meetings...

The application process for Cycle 12 of the TWU Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Master’s Degree Distance Program is closed.  Cycle 12 will begin May 2023 and end August 2025. Information concerning the next cycle will be posted when available. 

Licensure and Certification for Speech Language Pathologists 

Speech-language pathologists in the public schools serve students with speech and/or language impairments. A speech or language impairment is defined as “a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance” (C.F.R. §300.8.).

ASHA Certification and Texas State Licensure 

Speech-language pathologists who work in the public schools must have a master’s degree, have passed a national certification examination, and have completed a year of clinical fellowship. Further, they must be licensed by the state of Texas. For more information, see the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Administrative Rules.

TDLR Speech-language Pathologists and Audiologists

TDLR Speech-Language Pathology Laws and Rules

Speech-language pathology assistants who work in the public schools must have a bachelor’s degree, have completed 25 hours of observation, and must be licensed by the state of Texas. Their practice must be supervised by a licensed, certified Speech-language pathologist. For more information, see the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Administrative Rules.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Laws and Rules

ASHA Resources

• ASHA Website
• ASHA School Setting Resource Page
• ASHA Roles and Responsibilities of SLPs in the Schools Professional Issues Statement
• ASHA Caseload/Workload Resources

Resources for School-Based SLP(s)

• Bilinguistics
• LD OnLine Speech & Language Milestone Chart
• Speech Therapy Activities 1
• Speech Therapy Activities 2
• Stuttering Foundation of America
• Caroline Bowen PhD: Speech-Language Pathology Home Page
• Apraxia Kids - Resources for apraxia
• Boomcards - Online therapy materials
• Tar Heel Reader - Adapted books
• Tar Heel Shared Reader - Adapted for shared reading
• Storyline Online - Books read aloud
• Scholastic Learn at Home - Cross-curricular activities
• Vooks - Streaming animated books
• AAC Language Lab - Language development for AAC
• AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom - AAC communication across the day
  
   

Legal and Ethics Resources for SLP(s)

• Legal Framework-Region 18 ESC
• Ethics Q&A for School-Based SLPs
• ASHA Code of Ethics
• TSHA Code of Ethics
• ASHA Tele-practice
• TDLR Telehealth
• TSHA Tele-practice