Additional Information for Distance Learning (Worldwide) Students
We offer a Distance Learning format. Applicants should read the program information thoroughly, and review the course sequence for the most recent web cohort.
HISTORY
In 1999, Western Kentucky University along with four other accredited programs, under the auspices of the Kentucky Virtual University, began to offer a collaborative distance master’s degree in Communication Disorders for residents of Kentucky. Given the success of this program and the frequent requests for individuals from out of state, Western Kentucky University launched its own distance learning format of the current on-campus Master’s degree program to be open to students globally.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students are encouraged to apply! If you are an international student interested in this program, one barrier may be that you must have access to ASHA certified SLPs with whom you can complete your externships and should explore the availability of such prior to applying. For questions about visas, please see the WKU International Student & Scholar Services page.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION RESTRICTIONS
Externships CANNOT be completed in California nor will contracts be sought for placements there. Furthermore, applicants to the graduate program must understand that externship opportunities may not be available in the geographic region of choice. In the event they are not, students must be willing to relocate to obtain externship placement.
Placements within 65 miles of Bowling Green KY have been reserved for students in the residential/campus based cohort. Placements for distance learning students will not be permitted at a site within 65 miles of Bowling Green unless the student is employed in a role as an SLP-A or an equivalent support personnel title in speech-language pathology as determined by your state.
ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENT
All coursework is completed online with the exception of SLP 590 – Clinic Internship and SLP 591 - Clinic Externship. For the Clinic Internship (we refer to it as Summer Bootcamp) portion we require that you come to our campus for approximately 6 weeks (typically the end of June and entire month of July) the summer following the fall you begin the program. There is no other option for this. It is a requirement of the program that you come to our campus for this internship.
If you begin the program in the fall, you would come to campus for the Bootcamp internship the following summer. Participation in Summer Clinical Internship (often referred to as Bootcamp) allows WKU faculty to evaluate clinical skills and preparedness for externships. For that reason, successful completion is mandatory in order to continue on to the externship experience; attendance is not optional. For detailed information regarding clinical requirements, please explore the Clinical Experience tab at the top of this page.
PROGRAM LENGTH
Students in the distance program can complete the program within 7 - 8 semesters (including winter and summer terms) following the recommended course sequence.
University policy requires that students complete their graduate program within 6 years.This time period begins with the first graduate course applicable, therefore, transferring graduate credit would need to be limited to 3 years prior to beginning this program.
Students are expected to adhere to the course sequence given and complete courses with their cohort.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The distance courses follow the regular WKU academic calendar, with established start and completion dates. Click here to access the WKU academic calendar.
ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING
WKU Online offers excellent resources to assist online learners. Their website has a number of helpful topics including an orientation to online learning and helpful information to aid you in determining if online learning is right for you. Please click here to visit their website.
How is the coursework presented?
Our faculty use Blackboard Collaborate and Zoom as platforms for presenting learning materials, resource links, and instructional guidance. It also enables you, your professor, and classmates to communicate with each other. Using those platforms your professor can present materials using several multimedia resources (including audio, video, animation, charts, etc) so that your classes are presented in the most appropriate way. You will have designated weekly or biweekly synchronous class meeting times for each course for which you will be expected to be logged into the course for instruction just as you would attend classes face to face. Class meeting times are scheduled in the evening and at night to allow time during the day to work and/or complete clinical requirements.
TUITION AND FEES
There is a uniform Distance Learning tuition rate for all distance students, whether in or out of state. For current tuition rates please click here.
For admission and application requirements for the graduate program click here
For more information and questions please contact:
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.