Students without a BA/BS in COMD

LSU Leveling Program

The LSU Leveling program in Communication Disorders is designed for students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders but who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in speech-language pathology. The courses are prerequisite to more advanced coursework and required to be successful in a master’s program.

Completion of the Leveling coursework does not result in a degree, does not include clinical practicum, does not guarantee acceptance to the LSU graduate program, and will not qualify those who complete this program to apply for an SLP-Assistant License in Louisiana. The background courses taken during the Leveling Year do not count towards the hours needed for the master’s degree

The Leveling program consists of 10 COMD courses, all but one that can be completed prior to entering the master’s program. These are COMD 3150 (Phonetics) 4153 (Acoustics), 4190 (Introduction to Audiology), 4250 (Anatomy), 4380 (Language Development), 4381 (Speech Sound Disorders), 4382 (Language Disorders) 4383 (Fluency), 4590 (Aural Rehabilitation – often taken in the MA program), and 4681 (Observation).

In addition, the following courses are undergraduate prerequisites required by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association for Certification as a Speech-Language pathologist. If these courses were not taken in the student’s UG program, they must be taken before completing the MA. Early completion is highly recommended.

  • Biological Science (an animal-based basic science course – no lab required (i.e., Biology, Zoology, Genetics, Neurophysiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology)
  • Physical Science (Physics, Chemistry)
  • Social Science (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology)
  • Statistics (not part of research design or other course; not Business Statistics)

Individuals interested in the COMD Leveling program should apply to the Undergraduate Transfer program. Choose the “Visiting Student” option once the drop-down menu in the Common Application Transfer program appears.

Upon successful completion of the required background work, individuals may apply to admission to the regular graduate program to start during a fall semester. Successful completion of the Leveling program does not guarantee to the regular graduate program. A minimum GPA of 3.5 in the COMD courses is required for consideration.

See the Undergraduate Admissions page for in-depth admission instructions.

See the ASHA certification standards for the  Program of Studies requirements.

 

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