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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU MS-SLP Frequently Asked Questions

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is designed to answer commonly asked questions about the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU).  After reviewing this document, if you have additional questions, please connect with one of our Admissions Counselors by calling 405-525-4621 or emailing slp@okbu.edu.

What options are available for lodging during the required on-campus residencies?

Students attending required on-campus residencies may choose on-campus or off-campus lodging.

Limited on-campus housing for hybrid graduate students may be available, depending on availability. Rates, locations, and availability are determined at the end of each academic year and may vary by term and year. Complete the OBU Housing Application or contact housing@okbu.edu for details.

Students may also stay off campus. The Fairfield Inn by Marriott offers an OBU student discount rate of $89.00 per night (plus taxes), subject to availability. The City of Shawnee also has multiple hotel options and there are several VRBO and AIRBNB options in the area. Students may choose any off-campus lodging option that best meets their needs.

What are the options for financial aid?

Students who are admitted to the program can apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. If you have specific questions about financial aid, please contact a Student Financial Services Counselor.

Is there a payment plan available for tuition and fees?

Students who are admitted to the program can establish a payment plan for tuition and fees once they have paid the enrollment deposit. Once a payment plan is established, the tuition balance will be split equally into three payments per semester.

Fall: payments due September 1, October 1, November 1

Spring: payments due January 1, February 1, March 1

Summer: payments due May 1, June 1, July 1

What out-of-pocket costs in addition to tuition and fees should I expect? 

In addition to the cost of tuition and fees, students can expect to cover the following costs: 

  • Textbooks 

  • Uniforms for on-campus residencies and clinical externships (branded scrubs and polos purchased through the OBU bookstore) 

  • Transportation to and from on-campus residencies and clinical externships 

  • Meals and lodging during on-campus residencies  

  • Background checks, drug screenings, and immunizations as required for clinical externships 

Will I be eligible for state licensure and/or ASHA certification if I enroll in a program that has CAA candidacy accreditation status?

According to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) Accreditation Handbook (pgs. 46-47), “new programs that have been awarded candidacy status are noted as Accreditation Candidate”. Programs in candidacy are monitored by CAA and are considered accredited programs. Candidacy is a step on the accreditation continuum. Programs in candidacy are considered accredited by the CAA during the process of accreditation. Students enrolled in programs that are in the candidacy process are eligible to take the Praxis, apply for state licensure, and apply for the ASHA CCC. The OBU MS-SLP program applied for candidacy status January 1, 2025, and will be notified of approval as an Accreditation Candidate in late February or early March 2026.

If I complete the OBU MS-SLP program, will I be eligible for state licensure, educator credentials, and ASHA certification.

To practice as an SLP in a specific state, a state license must be obtained. To work as an SLP in a school, some states require educator credentials.  Please refer to the OBU Professional License Disclosures to determine whether the OBU MS-SLP program meets requirements for state licensure and/or educator credentials in your state. If you have additional questions about state licensure or educator credentials, you can reach out to the SLP Director of Clinical Education, Dr. Becky Jones at becky.jones@okbu.edu.

Upon program completion, all graduates are eligible to pursue a national credential through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  Graduates who complete a clinical fellowship (CF) and earn  a passing score on the Praxis exam are eligible for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). More information about certification can be found on the ASHA website.

What is the difference between Speech and Hearing Science and Language Science?

There is a fundamental difference between speech and language.  In very simple terms, speech is the mechanical/anatomical production of speech sounds and language is the system of words and rules used to communicate meaning. Speech and Hearing Science teaches fundamentals of speech sound production and audiotory perception while Language Science teaches the fundamentals of the components of language, which includes phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Will an undergraduate Speech and Hearing Science course meet the Language Science prerequisite requirement.

There is no overlap in content between a Speech and Hearing Science course and a Language Science course. So, a Speech and Hearing Science course cannot be used to meet the Language Science prerequisite requirement.

Can I complete all the required prerequisites in one semester?

We recommend students enroll in 12-15 credit hours per semester (4-5 courses). This is a manageable but challenging load for most students. Please remember, students completing SLP Core Prerequisites must earn a B- or better in these courses to be eligible. However, your course schedule is unique and individualized to your needs so our advisors will work to create a plan that is right for you.

If I am completing or have completed my undergraduate degree in a major other than CSD/SLP, what prerequisites are required for the program?

There are several SLP-specific prerequisite requirements and general education prerequisite areas that are required for enrollment. You can find current information about prerequisite requirements on the program website.

Can I complete all the required prerequisites at OBU?

Current OBU undergraduate students can complete program prerequisites while completing their undergraduate degree by declaring the SLP minor and working with their advisor to fit the required courses into their degree plan.

Students who have already completed a degree or are enrolled at another institution, can enroll as non-degree students by completing this application. Once you are enrolled as a non-degree student, you will be assigned to an advisor who will assist you with registration. Your advisor will help you make a plan to complete the prerequisites based on when courses are offered.

I need to complete the required guided observation hours. What options are available?

OBU offers SLP 4031 Guided Clinical Observations. In this 1 credit course, students will complete the required 25 hours of guided clinical observation using an online platform called Simucase.   

Can I complete guided clinical observation hours with an SLP in my community without taking the course? 

Guided clinical observation hours must be completed through an academic program. A standalone course is not required, but the student must provide appropriate documentation of observations from an academic program as described in the OBU MS-SLP Academic and Clinical Handbook. Students can complete guided clinical observation hours with an SLP in their local community, but these will NOT be accepted for the guided clinical observation hours required for program admission. 

I need to continue working. Are synchronous course meetings and/or clinical externship days flexible?

The OBU MS-SLP program is a hybrid accelerated program, which allows students to complete their degree in fewer semesters than the typical graduate program.  Due to the accelerated design of the program, we cannot accommodate work or family schedules. This is a full-time program and students must be available Monday through Friday during normal working hours (7am-6pm) for synchronous class meetings, program meetings, and clinical experiences. Students are required to schedule work and other responsibilities around their class and clinic schedule.

What is the process for securing the placements for clinical externships? 

Clinical externship placements are coordinated and assigned by the Director of Clinical Education. Students are not permitted to contact clinical sites to arrange or secure their own clinical externship placements. Clinical externships require availability during regular business days and hours (i.e. Monday through Friday, 7am-6pm), typically 30-40 working hours per week.  Clinical externship schedules will not be arranged to accommodate work or family responsibilities.