Program Policies

Student Employment Policy

The OBU MS-SLP program curriculum is rigorous and designed for full-time students. Synchronous course sessions and clinical externships require availability during regular weekday working hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00am–6:00pm), and students must be available during these times to meet program requirements. Meetings after normal working hours may also be required. 

Due to the demanding and accelerated nature of the curriculum, students are strongly advised to limit outside employment to ensure academic success and clinical competency development. Outside employment may negatively impact academic performance, clinical skill acquisition, program progression, program completion, and overall well-being. 

Students are advised to carefully consider their ability to balance employment with the program's intensive academic and clinical demands. Program faculty encourage students to prioritize their commitment to this full-time course of study. 

Student Handbooks

Students enrolled in the MS-SLP program are required to adhere to all university and program policies and procedures as outlined in the most current version of the OBU MS-SLP Academic and Clinical Handbook and the OBU Graduate and Online Student Handbook.

Essential Skills and Technical Standards

The OBU MS-SLP program prepares students for entry-level clinical practice as speech-language pathologists (SLPs) across a variety of clinical settings. Admission to the program requires students to acknowledge understanding of essential skills and technical standards for the profession (OBU MS-SLP Essential Skills and Technical Standards). These skills and standards are necessary for a student to successfully complete academic coursework and clinical requirements and to develop the competencies for effective clinical practice. All students must demonstrate essential skills and meet technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.