The undergraduate program includes basic information related to linguistics, speech science, speech and language development, hearing, and speech and language disorders. Students will learn to evaluate and manage communicative disorders during supervised clinical sessions.
Completion of the undergraduate degree will provide students with pre-requisites to enter a graduate program in speech language pathology. The undergraduate degree will also enable a student to meet the Missouri requirements for a certificate as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. A master’s degree is required to be certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as a Speech-Language Pathologist and to be licensed by the state of Missouri.
The department offers the bachelor of science degree in the undergraduate program. Students are required to take a minimum of two semesters of pre-clinical or clinical practicum. Students are also required to complete a capstone experience, that integrates general education with clinical knowledge. Dual enrollment in the graduate program for up to 6 credit hours is possible during the senior year for students meeting the following requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 and
- Department permission.
Completion of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Fontbonne enables the student to meet academic and clinical requirements for certification by ASHA and licensure by the state of Missouri. This allows students to be eligible for Missouri state certification as a speech-language specialist. This certificate is necessary to work in Missouri public schools.
Essential Functions
Listed below are functions that someone who enters the profession of speech-language pathology must perform and therefore are required of majors in the department.
Physical Abilities
- Participate in classroom or clinical activities for two-four hour blocks of time with one or two breaks;
- Ambulate to, from, and within academic/clinical facilities;
- Provide for or direct one’s own personal hygiene;
- Manipulate screening/diagnostic/therapeutic/educational materials;
- Respond to emergency situations including fire, choking, and in the application of universal precautions;
- Visually monitor client responses and use of materials;
- Auditorily monitor and orally model correct speech and language production.
Affective Abilities
- Work effectively with people;
- Make appropriate decisions, including the ability to evaluate and generalize appropriately without immediate supervision;
- Maintain proper work place behavior, including punctuality, and regular attendance;
- Maintain composure and emotional stability in demanding situations;
- Maintain emotional and mental health required for use of intellectual abilities, prompt completion of responsibilities, and appropriate relationships with clients/students and colleagues.
Cognitive Abilities
- Read and comprehend professional literature/ reports;
- Write university level papers and clinical/educational reports in standard American English;
- Intelligibly speak standard American English;
- Independently analyze, synthesize, and interpret ideas and concepts in academic and clinical settings;
- Maintain attention and concentration for sufficient time to complete academic/clinical activities: typically two to four hours with one or two breaks;
- Comply with administrative, legal and regulatory policies.
Background Checks
In order to participate in clinical practicum, students are required to complete and pass the following: Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Background check, authorization to participate in Rapback through the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Family Care Safety Registry, CPR and First Aid, and annual TB testing. All students are required to annually obtain and verify proof of flu vaccination. Some facilities may have additional requirements such as drug testing.
Exemptions from immunization based on religious beliefs or matters of conscience may extend the length of the program to allow completion of required clinical hours. The results from a background check may impact your ability to progress through the program and your ability to obtain your license to practice.
Baccalaureate Degree and Residency Requirements
All requirements for an undergraduate degree are listed in the Academic Policies and Regulations in the introductory section for undergraduate programs in this catalog. These requirements include a graduation requirement of at least one course in religion or theology. A student must complete a minimum of 50 percent of the Communication Disorders (CDS) credit hours required for the major at Fontbonne University.
Program Approval
Program approval is required for CDS 300 and 400 level classes and clinical practicum. Program approval in speech-language pathology requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the sophomore year or after 12 credit hours at Fontbonne for students transferring in at least 54 credits. A minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA is required to continue in the major. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the student may not enroll in any 300-400 level CDS classes and will have one semester probationary period to bring the GPA back to 3.0 or above. Student who do not bring the GPA up to at least 3.0 after one semester, will not be allowed to continue in the major. A student may participate in pre-clinic with a GPA of 2.75 or better during the probationary period. A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained to participate in clinical practicum.
Direct Admission - MS in Speech-Language Pathology
Fontbonne undergraduate students in speech-language pathology (SLP) who meet the following criteria may apply for direct admission into the graduate program in SLP after they have received Program Approval
- Cumulative Fontbonne GPA of 3.75 or higher
- Grade no lower than a “B” in any course required for the SLP undergraduate degree including required courses outside the discipline whether taken at Fontbonne or transferred into the program.
Applications will be reviewed by CDDE faculty who will take into consideration the student’s GPA and sustainability to the degree as outlined in the Essential Functions for an SLP.
Once admitted, the student must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher and receive no grade lower than “B” in any course required for the degree. A student will be notified in writing that they are at risk for losing the direct admittance into the graduate SLP program if their GPA falls below 3.75. The student will be given one semester to return the GPA back to the minimum 3.75 or higher. Students who do not meet this requirement, will be notified in writing that they no longer qualify for the direct admission program, but that they still have Program Approval to continue in the SLP program to complete the B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. Students who do not retain their direct admission to the graduate program are eligible to apply for admission to the graduate program through the regular application process.
Leaving Fontbonne University before completion of the bachelor’s degree in SLP negates this direct admission agreement. A student who is accepted into the Direct Admission program is not obligated to attend the graduate program in SLP at Fontbonne University.
General Education Requirements
The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the General Education section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline.
