Graduate Catalog: Speech-Language Pathology Program

Department Objectives || ASHA Accreditation || Program Overview || Admission Requirements || 5-Year Program || Degree Requirements

Chairperson: Janet D. Bisset, Ph.D., CCC/SLP
Graduate Program Director: Mona R. Griffer, Ed.D., CCC/SLP, BRCLS

The program is designed to provide students with a variety of academic course work and clinical practicum experiences, according to the standards set forth by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), to prepare them, from a family-centered perspective, for professional careers serving children and adults who have communication disorders. The faculty of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is dedicated to providing students with a quality education and opportunities to integrate theory and research into clinical practice.

Objectives of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

The five-year program leading to a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students to:

1. Acquire academic knowledge and develop clinical skills pertaining to the scientific study of human communication processes that are necessary to perform competent practice of speech-language pathology, according to the current ASHA certification standards.
2. Evaluate the etiologies, pathologies, social-emotional, cognitive, and educational factors associated with disorders of language, articulation-phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, and hearing.
3. Exemplify knowledge of ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional clinical practice.
4. Critically evaluate and be sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural and linguistic diversity.
5. Become eligible to earn certification from ASHA and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania.
6. Pursue teacher certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education (optional).
7. Work in a variety of settings such as schools, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, and private practice.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Accreditation Status

Marywood University’s five-year program leading to a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA.

Program Overview

This five-year program consists of two distinct phases: the Pre-Professional Phase (undergraduate–years 1-3) and the Professional Phase (graduate–years 4-5)

The Pre-Professional Phase

During this phase of the program, students take classes to meet the liberal arts core requirements as well as complete courses in basic human communication processes and some speech-language disorders to prepare them for application and admittance to the Professional Phase of the program.

The Professional Phase

This phase of the program concentrates on course work in various communication disorders across the life span and provides clinical practicum experiences where students learn to apply knowledge and skills to children and adults who have various speech-language-swallowing disorders. An option to pursue teacher certification is also offered.

Program Flexibility – Multiple Points of Entry

• Enter as a Freshman – Five-year program
• Enter as a Transfer – Two-to-five year program based on approved credits for advanced standing
• Enter as a Graduate Student – Those students with an in-field bachelors degree from an accredited university may earn their master’s in SLP in approximately two years; those with an out-of-field bachelors degrees from an accredited university may earn their master’s degree in SLP in approximately three years

 

Program Admission and Matriculation Requirements

1. A minimum SAT score of 970 is required for admission to the program (Pre- Professional Phase); SATs below 970 are reviewed on a case by case basis by the CSD department chair.
2. Enrollment is limited to 25 students in any given academic year due to ASHA FTE guidelines.
3. Upon completion of the first year curriculum (freshman year), a minimum QPA of 3.00 in the CSD major is expected and a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.50 is required to remain in the program. These QPAs are also required for each subsequent semester to advance in the Pre-Professional Phase and the Professional Phase of the program.
   Students who do not maintain these QPAs will be placed on academic probation with a possible revised plan of study. An interview at the discretion of the CSD Chairperson, the Graduate Program Director, and the Clinic Director may also be required. After one semester if the primary QPA does not improve, students may be dismissed from the program. Advisement as to other career opportunities will be provided.
4. Students may earn one “C” letter final grade in a CSD pre-professional course. If a student earns a second “C” grade, a meeting with the CSD Chairperson, Graduate Program Director, academic advisor, and course instructor(s) will be held to determine which of those courses the student will be required to repeat. The student will be informed of the decision by their academic advisor and placed on academic probation until the course is repeated with a minimum grade of B-. Students who re-take a course are only permitted to re-take the course one time and a revised plan of study will be determined. If a student fails to earn the minimum expected grade of B- once the course is repeated, he/she will be dismissed from the program. Advisement as to other career opportunities will be provided. Students who earn below a C grade in any CSD course will be required to repeat the course with a minimum grade of B-.
5. Students who have successfully met all required liberal arts core and CSD Pre- Professional Phase course work may apply for admission to the Professional Phase of the CSD five-year program during the spring semester of year 3. See Graduate Admissions for a CSD Transition Application to the Professional Phase and the due date for completion.
   For students entering the five-year program at the Professional Phase, who have earned their undergraduate degree from another accredited institution, the following is also required:

• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on the applicant’s academic and clinical skills and potential for successful graduate study (e.g., former professors, clinical supervisors).
• Submission of a typewritten 250 word essay describing career goals, professional interests and aspirations. See specific essay questions included in the Graduate Admissions Application Packet or on-line application.
• A personal or phone interview at the discretion of the CSD Department Chair and/or Graduate Program Director.


Note: Preference will be given to applicants who can attend the program full-time and take the full complement of courses offered within the context of a cohort model. Typically, students are admitted to the Professional Phase in the fall semester. Spring semester admissions are made on a case-by-case basis. Part-time students are also admitted on a case-by-case basis and are expected to carry nine credits per semester.

6. Students who earn below a C+ in any CSD graduate course/practicum (Professional Phase) will be expected to develop a remediation plan with the course instructor/clinical supervisor in order to improve in those knowledge/skill areas in which the student is deemed deficient. An acceptable mastery level, based on formative assessment, must be demonstrated in all knowledge and skills areas, according to the current ASHA certification standards.

 

Degree Conferral and Certification

Those students entering the program as undergraduates will be awarded a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders upon completion of the fourth year. At the end of the fifth year, these students and those entering with an in-field bachelors degree who have successfully completed the Professional Phase (years 4 and 5) of the five-year program will be awarded a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and are eligible to pursue ASHA certification and state licensure. Prerequisite Course Sequence for Students with Out-of-Field

Undergraduate Degree

Students with an out-of-field undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for the Professional Phase of the program and will be admitted provisionally. Enrollment in graduate level courses, however, requires the following:

1. Permission of the CSD Chairperson and/or Program Director.
2. Completion of 29 credits of an approved CSD undergraduate prerequisite course sequence at Marywood University with a minimum final grade of B.
3. Meeting the requirements in basic science, mathematics, and social science course work according to current ASHA standards. These courses may be taken at any accredited institution. Any courses taken at institutions other than Marywood must be approved by the CSD Department Chair and/or Program Director.
4. Completion of 25 observation hours directed by an ASHA-certified SLP with appropriate documentation.

 

A plan of study will be developed by the CSD Department Chair and/or Program Director, who will serve as the student’s academic advisor. Students will be required to sign a statement regarding their plan of study, which reads: “The student named on this form understands that to be eligible to matriculate in the Professional Phase of the program, he/she must complete this plan of study with an overall minimum quality point average (QPA) of “B.” The student must earn a minimum QPA of “B” in the fall semester before being permitted to enroll for courses offered during the spring semester.”

CSD PREREQUISITE COURSE SEQUENCE

CSD 164	Phonetics	3
CSD 166	Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing	4
CSD 261	Speech Science	3
CSD 265	Speech and Language Development	3
CSD 265L	Language Sample Analysis Lab	2
CSD 266	Introduction to Language Disorders in Children	3
CSD 270	Hearing Science	2
CSD 271	Introduction to Articulation and Phonological Disorders	3
CSD 363	Audiology	3
CSD 363L	Audiology Lab	0
CSD 364	Auditory Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation	3
25 hours of clinical observation directed by an ASHA-certified SLP
Total		29 credits

The typical sequence of CSD undergraduate prerequisite courses follows:

Fall Semester
Phonetics
Speech and Language Development
LSA Lab
Audiology and Lab

Spring Semester
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing
Speech Science
Hearing Science
Introduction to Language Disorders in Children
Introduction to Articulation and Phonological Disorders
Aural Rehabilitation

Minimum Requirements for Basic Science and
Human Communication Science Course Work
(if not taken as an undergraduate)

Biology	3 credits
Physical Science	3 credits (e.g., Chemistry, Physics)
Mathematics	3 credits (a course in Statistics is required)
Behavioral/Social Science	3 credits (e.g., Psychology, Sociology)
Human Communication Processes	Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing; Phonetics; Speech and Hearing Science; Normal Speech-Language Development, including language sample analysis; Audiology; and Aural Rehab

Typical Course Sequence for the Five-Year Program Leading to a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

 

The Pre-Professional Phase

 

First Year Curriculum: (33 UG credits)

Fall 1

CSD 163	Introduction to Communication Disorders	2
CSD 164	Phonetics	3
BIOL 130	Principles of Anatomy and Physiology	3
BIOL 130L	Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Lab	1
ENGL 160	Writing Skills	3
PSY 211	General Psychology	3
UNIV 100	Living Responsibly in an Interdependent World	2
Total: (5 UG CSD & 12 LA)		17

Spring 1

CSD 166	Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing	4
CSD 261	Speech Science	3
R ST 112	Modern Belief	3
ENGL 180	Introduction to World Literature	3
PSY 251	Development Psychology	3
Total: (7 UG CSD & 9 LA)		16

Second Year Curriculum: (41 UG credits)

Fall 2

CSD 265	Speech and Language Development	3
* CSD 265L	Language Sample Analysis Lab	2
CSD 241	American Sign Language I	3
ENGL 400	Linguistics	3
FL	Foreign Language	3
PHYS or CHEM or ENVS Physical Science (Required for ASHA)		3
P ED	Physical Education (Wellness)	1
Total: (8 UG CSD & 10 LA)		18

*CSD 265L–Required of any graduate student who completed UG training in CSD/SLP at another institution, unless he/she can demonstrate the expected level of competence in language sample analysis for graduate study. Also required for any student with an out-of-field undergraduate degree.

Spring 2

CSD 270	Hearing Science	2
CSD 271	Introduction to Articulation and Phonological Disorders	3
CSD 266	Introduction to Language Disorders in Children	3
CSD 242	American Sign Language II (elective)	3
OR
L A	General Elective	3
COMM 101	Dynamics of Speech Communication	2
FL	Foreign Language	3
P ED	Physical Education (skills)	1
Total: (8 or 11 UG CSD & 6 or 9 LA)		17

Summer 1 (Session I)

MATH	Mathematics	3
HIST	History	3
Total: (6 LA)		6

Third Year Curriculum: (46 credits; 4 are CSD grad credits) or (49 credits if pursuing Teacher Certification; 3 are EDUC grad credits)

Fall 3

CSD 363	Audiology	3
CSD 363L	Audiology Lab	0
CSD 366	Communication Disorders in Adults	3
MATH 216	Statistics for the Behavioral and Social Sciences	3
SOC	Social Science	3
F A	Fine Arts	3
PHIL 113	Introduction to Philosophy	3
Total: (6 UG CSD & 12 LA)		18

Spring 3

CSD 364	Auditory Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation	3
CSD 361	Clinical Methods and Processes	3
CSD 469	Special Topics	1
HIST 105	Ethnicity and Diversity in the Modern World	3
R ST	Religion (above 100 level)	3
PHIL	404 Biomedical Ethics	3
Total: (7 UG CSD & 9 LA)		16

Summer 2 (Session I)

CSD 508	Fluency Disorders	2
L A	General Elective	3
L A	General Elective	3
Total: (2 GRAD CSD & 6 LA)		8

Summer 2 (Session II)

CSD 468	Introduction Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer 1-10 weeks)	2
CSD 505	Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems	2
EDUC 502	Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education	3
OR
EDUC 523	Seminar: Psychology of Education (Required for Teacher Certification)	3
Total: (2 UG CSD; 2 GRAD CSD; 3 Grad EDUC – elective)		4 or 7
Total number of UG CSD Required Credits		43

NOTE: The Liberal Arts core requirements can be taken in a somewhat variable sequence. However, what is depicted is the optimal pedagogical sequence due to the interrelationship between Liberal Arts and CSD course content. Each student's specific plan of study regarding the Liberal Arts course sequence will be determined through the advising process.

NOTE: At the completion of the third year curriculum (which includes Summers I and II) a total of 120 credits have been earned, four of which are CSD graduate credits that are applied towards the undergraduate degree. The undergraduate degree can be granted with 126 credits, provided that a student completes an additional semester of six credits during the Fall IV semester (Fourth Year Curriculum).

This can be accomplished in one of two ways:

1. If the student is not eligible to continue in the five-year program to earn the master's degree, he/she will complete six undergraduate credits during the Fall IV semester. These credits reflect a combination of Liberal Arts, CSD Deaf Studies, and other undergraduate elective course work. The student and his/her academic advisor will determine an individual plan of study.
2. If the student is continuing for the master's degree in SLP, six additional CSD graduate credits that are earned during the Fall IV semester will be applied toward the completion of the undergraduate degree. A total of ten CSD graduate credits will be applied toward the B.S. degree, which can be awarded at the end of the Fall IV semester (Fourth Year Curriculum).

 

The Professional Phase

Fourth Year Curriculum: (39 or 40 CSD graduate credits) or (42 or 43 credits if pursuing Teacher Certification; 3 are EDUC graduate credits)

Fall IV Graduate

CSD 502	Seminar in Aphasia	3
CSD 504	Language Learning Disorders in School-Age Children and Adolescents	4
CSD	506P Diagnostic Tests/Measurements and Scientific Clinical Writing	3
CSD	515 Dysphagia	3
CSD	516A Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Level I	1
* CSD	518P Independent Study in Clinical Methods and Processes	1
CSD	524 Neuroscience	2
Total:	CSD Graduate Credits for students completing five-year program	16
	CSD Graduate Credits for new incoming graduate students	17

*CSD 518P (Only for new incoming students accepted to the Professional Phase)

Spring IV Graduate

CSD 500	Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology	3
CSD 501	Family Systems and Counseling: Multicultural Perspectives in Speech-Language Pathology	2
CSD 503	Seminar in Phonological and Articulation Disorders	3
CSD 511	Pediatric Neuromotor Speech Disorders	2
CSD 514	Adult Neurogenic Motor Speech Disorders	2
CSD 516B	Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology: Level I	1
CSD 506L	Language Sample Analysis Computer Lab	1
CSD 521	Diagnostic Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology	2
Total: CSD Graduate Credits		14 or 16

Summer III Graduate (Session I)

CSD 507	Voice Disorders	2
CSD 525	Autism	2
OR
CSD 512	Cleft Palate and Other Craniofacial Anomalie	2
** CSD 508	Fluency Disorders	2
** CSD 505	Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems	2
EDUC 502	Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education	3
OR
EDUC 523	Seminar: Psychology of Education (Required for Teacher Certification)	3
Total: Graduate Credits (8 CSD or 8 CSD and 3 Graduate Education—elective)		8 or 11

**Professional Phase students take these during Summer III Graduate Session; not during Summer II of third year.

Summer III Graduate (Session II)

CSD 512	Cleft Palate (begins Summer I–10 weeks)	2
*** CSD 522	Audiology/Aural Rehabilitation Practicum (begins Summer I–10 weeks)	1
CSD 516C	Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer I–10 weeks)	1
CSD 517P	Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer I–10 weeks)	1
CSD 521	Diagnostic Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer I–10 weeks)	2
Total: CSD Graduate Credits		5 or 7

***CSD 522 may be offered at various points in the graduate curriculum based on availability of placements/supervisors

Fifth Year Curriculum: (9 CSD Graduate Credits)
Options for Teacher Certification: 8 CSD credits + 12 (EDUC 597) = 20 credits

Fall V Graduate

CSD 510	Communication Disorders in High-Risk Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers	4
CSD 513	Communication Disorders Related to Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, & Right Hemispheric Dysfunction	3
CSD 519I	Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology I	1
Total: CSD Graduate Credits		8

Spring V Graduate

CSD 520E	Clinical Externship in Speech-Language Pathology	1
OR
**** EDUC 597	CSD Student Teaching Clinical Internship (Required for Teacher Certification)	12
Total: CSD Graduate Credit		1
OR
EDUC Graduate Credits		12

****EDUC 597 may need to be offered in the Fall V Graduate semester depending on availability of placements and off-campus supervisors holding the appropriate credentials (i.e., a master’s degree in SLP, the ASHA CCC-SLP, and a PA state license in SLP).

NOTE: Students taking EDUC 597 do not take CSD 520, unless the required 400 ASHA clinical clock hours have not been accrued.

A minimum of 52 credits must be earned at the graduate level for the master’s degree in SLP. Students are encouraged to enroll in CSD 523: Independent Research Study.

Master’s Speech Language Pathology Degree Requirements

In addition to completing a minimum of 52 graduate credits with a minimum QPA of 3.00, according to the plan of study developed by the student and his/her academic advisor, students must:

1. Complete the current required number of clinical clock hours, according to standards set forth by ASHA, at least one week prior to commencement in the semester the student expects to graduate;
2. Pass a comprehensive examination given by the CSD faculty;
3. Take the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology prior to graduation and submit PRAXIS scores to the Graduate Program Director;
4. Demonstrate mastery on all knowledge and skills competencies delineated in the Formative Assessment Manual for the master’s program in SLP with appropriate evidence verified; and
5. Complete an exit interview with the Graduate Program and Clinic Directors to ensure that all paperwork regarding academic course work and clinical practicum experiences (e.g., Knowledge and Skills Acquisition form–KASA) required by ASHA are accurate and complete.

Speech-Language Pathology Program Courses