Degree Programs

Undergraduate Students 

  • Undergraduate students who are interested in Speech-Language Pathology can take our prerequisite courses. Please email Dr. Tina Smith  for information. 
  • How do I major in Speech-Language Pathology at T.S.U.?
  • TSU does not offer a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology. However, interested students are welcome to major in Public Health at TSU and take our 5 prerequisite courses as electives. These courses are required to apply for a Master's Degree in Speech Pathology. A catalog description of our undergraduate courses can be found here.
  • For more information about the Public Health major, please visit: https://www.tnstate.edu/phas/Public_Health_BS.aspx

Prerequisites

Fifteen (15) hours of prerequisite courses in speech-language pathology:

  • SPTH 2500: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
  • SPTH 2600: Phonetics
  • SPTH 2800: Introduction to Speech, Hearing and Language Disorders
  • SPTH 3300: Clinical Methods in Articulation Disorders
  • SPTH 3500: Language and Speech Development in Children
  • *SPTH2600 is a prerequisite course for SPTH 3300

    ASHA requirements:

    Effective for applicants applying for the 2027 cohort and beyond,  completion of the  ASHA-required basic science courses  will be required  in addition to  the Speech Pathology prerequisite courses listed above.

    Applicants for certification must have demonstrated knowledge of statistics as well as the biological, physical, and social/behavioral sciences.

    1. BIOLOGY: Acceptable courses in biological sciences should emphasize a content area related to human or animal sciences (e.g., biology, human anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, human genetics, veterinary science).
    2. PHYSICS OR CHEMISTRY: Courses that meet the physical science requirement must be in physics or chemistry.
    3. SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: Acceptable courses in social/behavioral sciences should include psychology, sociology, anthropology, or public health.
    4. STATISTICS: A stand-alone course in statistics is required. Coursework in research methodology in the absence of basic statistics cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

All of the ASHA-required courses are offered ONLINE at TSU. For more information, visit the following link: https://www.tnstate.edu/online/courses.aspx 

To find when a course is offered, click here.

Course Finder

Graduate Program (Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science)

  • Accreditation Statement
  • The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech and Hearing Science {residential; distance education} at Tennessee State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
  • The Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Science (with a concentration in Speech-language Pathology) is offered in two modes: 
  • Distance Program
  • Traditional Program
  • Applicants for the Tennessee State University (TSU)  Master of Science program in Speech and Hearing Science must  submit application materials through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).
  • A completed CSDCAS application is required for admission review.  Admission applications are due on February 1 of each year for students applying to the traditional mode.  Admission applications for students applying to distance education are due June 1 of each EVEN year (2026, 2028, 2030, 2032, etc.).    
  • Apply Now
  • Instructions for the application submission process are provided on the department’s website, CSDCAS website. For additional information about the CSDCAS process, please visit the CSDCAS HELP CENTER.

Non-Degree Seeking Students-Prerequisite Courses

  • It is not necessary to have a bachelor’s degree in the area of speech-language pathology to apply to the Master of Science Program in Speech and Hearing Science in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. Applicants who do not have a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology or Communication Disorders are required to complete 15 hours of prerequisite courses. Students must apply to the Graduate School as a non-degree-seeking student. 
  • GradCas Application Instructions: Go to GradCas: https://gradcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/
  • Select the term that you would like to apply for.
  • When you log in to GradCas, search for Tennessee State University. A list of programs at TSU will appear. Scroll down until you see Non-Degree. You can select any Non-Degree option that appears.
  • As you go through the application process, you will see a section called Academic History. Under Academic History, Select College Attended. Order your transcripts through one of the online options. Be sure to select GradCas as the recipient and use TSU's ID number, which you will find listed on the website.
  • Non-degree-seeking applicants for speech pathology and audiology should contact the graduate school for additional directions. Telephone inquiries may be made at 615-963-7371 or email inquiries at gradschool@tnstate.edu.

GradCas