Core Speech-Language Pathology Program
Satisfactory Progress

The three primary criteria for maintaining satisfactory progress while enrolled in the Core Speech-Language Pathology degree program are summarized below. Students are reviewed quarterly by the speech-language pathology faculty and anyone not maintaining satisfactory progress will be contacted by the department’s Graduate Program Coordinator and representatives of the speech-language pathology faculty, the Student Progress Committee.

Students are required to review and understand the department’s “Graduate Student Guide”, section VI, entitled “Scholarship: Review of Student Progress” which comprehensively outlines the satisfactory performance requirements for this program. In addition, students are required to review and understand the Graduate School’s Memo #16 entitled “Unsatisfactory Performance and Progress”.

    1. Students must maintain satisfactory scholarship:
      • a cumulative AND quarterly GPA of 3.0 or greater
      • Any student falling below a GPA of 3.0 will be identified by the Graduate School as a student with “low scholarship” which could result in a change in status action by the Graduate School.
            
    2. Students must maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion.
      • In required didactic courses students must earn a grade of at least 2.7.
      • In required clinical practicum courses students must earn a grade of “credit”.
      • Students who earn a nonpassing grade in a didactic or clinical course will be placed on “probation” by the Graduate School and must retake any courses in which a nonpassing grade is earned. Students will have only one opportunity to retake a course to earn a passing grade and failure to pass on the retake could result in dismissal.
      • Students who receive a nonpassing grade in more than two courses will be automatically dismissed from the program. Thus, when a third nonpassing grade of any type is received (didactic, clinical or a combination) the student will be dropped from the program.
         
    3. Students must satisfactorily demonstrate the essential behaviors required for a speech and hearing science education.

      Students are required to abide by the Speech and Hearing Sciences specifications for essential behaviors and abilities outlined in the “Essential Requirements of Speech and Hearing Science Education” signed by each student upon entry into the program. Thus, students must demonstrate behaviors and abilities across the following areas:
      • Communication Skills
      • Motor Skills
      • Intellectual / Cognitive Skills
      • Sensory / Observational Skills
      • Behavioral / Social Skills

All students are required to familiarize themselves with the “ Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Guide to Graduation” which outlines all student requirements and procedures. In general, students must complete the following in order to be eligible for graduation:

  • Successfully complete all undergraduate coursework requirements as outlined by ASHA (captured in Form B).
  • Successfully complete all graduate level didactic and clinical coursework in order to fulfill the ASHA Knowledge and Skills Acquisition requirements (captured in Form A)
  • Complete a minimum of 400 clinical clock hours, 25 observation and 375 of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Students must have documentation for all hours.
  • As applicable, successfully complete the Master’s thesis (written document, public presentation and defense)
  • During the quarter you wish to graduate
    • Go to the Graduate School website (www.grad.washington.edu) and submit a Master’s Degree Request by the specified deadline*.
    • Meet with the speech-language pathology Academic Advisor to review your graduate program, ensure all requirements have been met and sign off on final academic paperwork.

*IMPORTANT: If you neglect to submit your Master’s Degree Request by the Graduate School deadline you will not be able to graduate. Any student who misses the deadline is not eligible for graduation until the end of the next academic quarter. Because the Graduate School requires all students to be registered in the quarter in which they wish to graduate, you will also need to pay additional fees if you miss the deadline. In this situation, the Graduate School provides the option of paying a “Graduate Registration Waiver Fee” in lieu of registering for classes. You must pay this fee within 2 weeks following the quarter in which all graduate program degree requirements are met, and if you do not, you will need to register at least part-time in order to apply for your Master’s Degree and graduate. Please review the Graduate School website carefully.