The speech-language pathologists have the responsibility of evaluating, diagnosing, and treating persons with communication, feeding and swallowing problems. Communication problems could include speech disorders, such as speech sounds, fluency and voice. It also includes difficulties with language, literacy, social and cognitive communication. They evaluate the speech and language patterns of children and adults, determine whether communication problems exist, and offer appropriate intervention. Professionals enrolled in the Speech-Language Pathology Program study typical and atypical communication and swallowing processes, different intervention approaches and preventive practices.Orientation PresentationFrequently Asked Questions
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Job Opportunities
Program graduates are generally hired in Puerto Rico by private corporations or are independent service providers. There are additional employment opportunities in government agencies, federal programs, non-profit institutions and university institutions. Graduates are eligible for certification pending completion of a clinical fellowship year and approval of national exam (PRAXIS).
Program of Study
The program consists of two full-time academic years, including two summers. Part-time enrollment is possible, although less financial assistance is available to part-time students and the program will also take longer to complete. Students must be admitted into the Program before selecting any changes to the program of study. An individual part-time program of study could be arranged with the assistance of the student’s academic advisor upon admission into the Program. Maximum completion time is five years.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants are expected to fulfill the following requirements for admission to the Program:
- To hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a General Point Average of at least 3.0 (based on a four-point scale from 0.0 to 4.0).
- To participate in a preliminary Program orientation interview in which a written exercise will be carried out in Spanish and English.
- To be fluent in written and oral Spanish. The student must also demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of English language.
- To have a minimum Specific Grade Point Average of 3.0 on the undergraduate courses listed below
- International students will also complete an oral interview with the Faculty in Spanish and English.
- To pass the following courses (24 credits).
| Courses* | 24 credits |
| 1. Linguistic or Hispanic Grammar | 3 |
| 2. Statistics | 3 |
| 3. Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| 4. General Concepts on Children and Adult Impairments | 3 |
| 5. Biological Sciences or Biology | 3 |
| 6. Physical Sciences, Physics or Chemistry | 3 |
| 7. Social or Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| 8. Mathematics | 3 |
*In case of being admitted, the student cannot owe any prerequisite courses; at the close of the admission application period, the student may have no more than two courses in progress.
Essential Functions and Attributes of Candidates for Admission and Graduation from the Speech-Language Pathology Program
Classes Commencement Date
The Speech Language Pathology Program has implemented curriculum changes. The program study starts each year in the month of July.
Application Deadlines
Deadline for admission application and payment: February 15ᵗʰ of the application year.
The applicant could also visit the following webpage for Prerequisite Course Content Areas Related to SLP Certification Standards: https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards.
For questions or information regarding admission requirements, please contact Dr. Gloria Velez at gloria.velez@upr.edu.
Please visit this page for information about the admission process and application: https://rcm1.rcm.upr.edu/decanatoestudiantes/oficina-de-admisiones.
Graduation Requirements
- Approval of a minimum of 62 credit hours.
- Completion of a minimum of 400 hours of clinical practicum.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- To pass either the Masters comprehensive examination or the Speech-Language Pathology PRAXIS Exam.
- Faculty recommendation.
Accreditation
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus 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.
Current accreditation cycle: 2023 – 2031
Student Outcome Data
These numbers are based on a total of 15 students admitted by cohort. Information is updated once a year in the summer.
PRAXIS Examination in Speech-Language Pathology Pass Rate (National Exam)
| Reporting Period | Number of Test -takers Taking the PRAXIS exam | Number of Test-takers Passed | Percentage Passed Exam Rate |
| 2023-2024 | 12 | 12 | 100% |
| 2022-2023 | 11 | 10 | 91% |
| 2021-2022 | 11 | 7 | 64% |
3-year average: 85%
Local Licensing Exam
| Year | Number of Test -takers | Number of Test-takers Passed (Percentage) |
| 2023-2024 | 11 | 9 (82%) |
| 2022-2023 | 11 | 8 (73%) |
| 2021-2022 | 9 | 7 (78%) |
3-year average: 78%
On-time On-Campus Program Completion Rate
| Reporting Period (cohort years) | Number Completing on Time | Number Completing Later Than on Time | Number Not Completing | Percent Completing on Time |
| 2022-2024 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2021-2023 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 73% |
| 2020-2022 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 67% |
3-Year Average: 80.00%
Curriculum
Informative Sheet
Course Description
Course Validation Table
Click here to download the Course Validation Table
If your university or course is not listed in the convalidation tables, you can submit an electronic copy of the course syllabus to the Program Director for consideration by the faculty.
Cost of Attendance, Tuition & Fees
The following table shows the estimate of total cost of attendance, tuition costs and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year. Health insurance may vary on an annual basis according to negotiation with the insurance companies and type of coverage.
Additional information is available here:
RCM Financial Aid Information
Faculty
Edna J. Carlo Mirabal, ClinScD, CCC-SLP
Gloria M. Vélez Barrios, PhD. CCC-SLP
Taína Jiménez López, SLPD, CCC-SLP
Nicolas Linares Orama, PhD, CCC-SLP
Myriam J. Ortiz Torres, PhD, CCC-SLP
Adjunct Faculty
Michele Aurignac Lepretre, PhD, CCC-SLP
Lourdes Garcia Tormos, EdD, CCC-SLP
Program’s Strategic Plan
Physical Address
School of Health Profession, at the, Medical Sciences Campus, Monacillo Area, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Postal Address
Programa de Patologia del Habla-Lenguaje
Oficina #600
Escuela de Profesiones de la Salud
PO Box 365067
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00936-5067
Program Director
Edna J. Carlo, ClinScD., CCC-SLP, BCS-F
787-758-2525, Ext. 3208, 4401
Fax: 787-756-3596
edna.carlo@upr.edu
Administrative Secretary
Ms. Vilma Fuentes Pérez
Main Office Phone Number
787-758-2525, Ext. 4401
Fax – 787-756-3596
Speech-Language Pathology Pathology Intramural Practice
Click here for information about our clinical services https://rcm2.rcm.upr.edu/clisecphl/
Professional Links & Other Student Resources
American Speech-Language and Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org/default.htm
Organización Puertorriqueña de Patología del Habla-Lenguaje y Audiología
National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association
International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics
Members of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences & Disorders
https://www.capcsd.org/
PRAXIS Exam
https://www.ets.org/praxis/asha/requirements/
Medical Sciences Campus Non-discriminatory Policy
The Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any University employer or candidate because of sex, color, place of birth, age, physical or mental handicap, origin or social condition, political or religious beliefs.