Graduate Catalog: Speech-Language Pathology Program

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

Chair and Graduate Program Director:
Andrea M. Novak, M.A. CCC-SLP

The program is designed to provide students with a variety of academic coursework 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 as speech-language pathologists,  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

The professional (graduate) phase of Marywood University's five-year program leading to a Master of Science degree 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 (years 1-3) and the Professional Phase (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 coursework 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 bachelor's degree from an accredited university may earn their master's in SLP in approximately two years; those with an out-of-field bachelor's degree 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 1050 is required for admission to the program (Pre-Professional Phase); SATs below 1050 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 3.25 in the CSD major is expected and a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.50 is required to remain in the program. For each subsequent semester, a CSD QPA and an overall QPA of 3.25 is expected in order to advance in the Pre-Professional Phase. 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 chair, graduate program director, and the clinic director may also be required. After one semester if the primary and/or CSD 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 pirector, 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 requirements for the liberal arts core and CSD Pre-Professional Phase coursework may apply for admission to the Professional (graduate) 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.
6. Students whose CSD QPA is between 2.33 and 3.24 and who meet the University's minimum overall QPA requirements to earn a degree may be granted an undergraduate degree in CSD, but will not be eligible to transition to the Professional (graduate) Phase of the 5-year program.
7. Students who earn below a C+ in any CSD graduate course/practicum (Professional Phase) will be expected to develop an academic support 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.

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 and official undergraduate transcripts.
• 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 essay. See specific essay questions and requirements 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. Part-time students are also admitted on a case-by-case basis and are expected to carry nine credits per semester.

Transfer Students

Students who have started their graduate work in speech-language pathology at another ASHA CAA accredited program may be eligible to transfer up to 6 credits of academic coursework into the Professional Phase of the 5 year program provided they can demonstrate competency of knowledge and skills that are comparable to student learning outcomes expected of Marywood's CSD graduate students based on formative assessment and the availability of space in the program. An interview with the CSD chair and/or graduate program director is required.

Admission to Degree Candidacy

Students are required to file an application for admission to candidacy with the CSD graduate program director in the spring semester of the 4th year curriculum (Professional Phase). In order to be eligible for candidacy, students must have completed 12 graduate credits with a "B" average. Students who have not matriculated through the five-year program must also verify they have taken the GRE.

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 out-of-field undergraduate degrees 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 graduate 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 coursework 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 graduate 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 graduate 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 primary 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
Language Sample Analysis 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
Auditory Amplification and Aural Rehabilitation
 

Minimum Requirements for Basic Science and  Human Communication Science Coursework
(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; Audiology and Amplification/Aural Rehab

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

 

The Pre-Professional (Undergraduate) Phase

First Year Curriculum: (34 UG credits)

Fall 1

CSD 163	Introduction to Communication Disorders	2
CSD 164	Phonetics	3
BIOL 130	Principles of Anatomy and Physiology	3
PHIL 113	Introduction to Philosophy	3
ENGL 160	Writing Skills	3
PSY 211	General Psychology	3
UNIV 100	Living Responsibly in an Interdependent World	1
Total: (5 UG CSD & 13 LA)		18

Spring 1

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

Second Year Curriculum: (40 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
Total: (8 UG CSD & 9 LA)		17

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 (Educ PSYC required for Teacher Certification)	3
PHIL 315	Ethics	3
OR
PHIL 404	Biomedical Ethics	3
**FL	Foreign Language	3
Total: (8 or 11 UG CSD & 6 or 9 LA)		17

**3 credits of FL may be replaced with a LA General Elective if student meets core curriculum requirements for years taken.

 

Summer 1 (Session I)

L A	General Elective	3
L A	General Elective	3
Total: (6 LA)		6

Third Year Curriculum: (47 credits; 42 UG credits - 5 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
F A	Fine Arts	3
HIST	History	3
L A	General Elective (Social Fnd required for Teacher Certification)	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
L A	General Elective (Method/Assess ESL required for Teacher Certification)	3
Total: (7 UG CSD & 9 LA)		16

Summer 2 (Session I)

CSD 508	Fluency Disorders	2
CSD 511	Pediatric Neuromotor Speech Disorders	2
L A	General Elective	3
Total: (4 GRAD CSD & 3 LA)		7

Summer 2 (Session II)

CSD 468	Introduction Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer 1-10 weeks)	2
L A	General Elective	3
Total: (2 UG CSD; 3 LA)		5

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 121 credits have been earned. 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 (FourthYear 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 at least five additional undergraduate credits during the Fall IV semester. These credits reflect a combination of Liberal Arts and other undergraduate elective coursework. 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 If the student is continuing for the master’s degree in SLP, five CSD graduate credits that are earned during the Fall IV semester will be applied toward the completion of the undergraduate degree. Up to twelve CSD graduate credits can be applied toward the B.S. degree, which can be awarded at the end of the Fall IV semester (Fourth Year Curriculum).

 

Professional (Graduate) Phase

Fourth Year Curriculum: (39 or 41 CSD graduate credits for 5-year students; 45-47 CSD graduate credits for 2-year students) and (3-9 additional EDUC graduate credits if pursuing Teacher Certification and not previously taken)

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	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 two-year graduate students	17

Spring IV Graduate

CSD 500	Research Methods in Speech-Language Pathology	3
CSD 507	Voice Disorders	2
CSD 503	Seminar in Phonological and Articulation Disorders	3
CSD 506L	Language Sample Analysis Computer Lab	1
CSD 511	Pediatric Neuromotor Speech Disorders	2
CSD 514	Adult Neurogenic Motor Speech Disorders	2
CSD 516B	Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology	1
CSD 521	Diagnostic Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (1⁄2 cohort)	2
Total: CSD graduate credits		14 or 16

Summer III Graduate (Session I)

**CSD 505	Augmentative/Alternative Communication	3
*CSD 525	Autism	2
** CSD 508	Fluency Disorders	2
EDUC 502	Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education (Required for Teacher Certification)	3
AND/OR
EDUC 523	Seminar: Psychology of Education  (Required for Teacher Certification)	3
Total: CSD graduate credits for students completing five-year program		2
CSD graduate credits for two-year graduate students		7
EDUC credits if pursuing Teacher Certification and not already completed		3-6

Summer III Graduate (Session II)

CSD 501	Family Systems and Counseling: Multicultural Perspectives	2
*CSD 512	Cleft Palate (schedule varies)	2
*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 – schedule varies)	1
***CSD 521	Diagnostic Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology (begins Summer I – 10 weeks)	2
****CSD 522	Audiology/Aural Rehabilitation Practicum (begins Summer I – schedule varies)	1
EDUC 561	Method/Assessment in Teaching English as a Second Language	3
Total: CSD Graduate Credits depending on elective option(s)* and semester where CSD 521 and 522 are taken		5-9
Total: EDUC credits if pursuing Teacher Certification and not already completed		3

*Students must take either CSD 512 or 525; students can elect to take both.
**5-year students take these during Summer II of third year.
***CSD 521 is taken in Spring IV Graduate or Summer III Graduate.
****CSD 522 is offered at various points in the graduate curriculum based on availability of placements and supervisors.

Fifth Year Curriculum: (8 CSD Graduate Credits) or (19 Graduate Credits; 7 CSD Graduates Credits & 12 EDUC Credits if Pursuing Teacher Certification)

Fall V Graduate

CSD 510	Communication Disorders in High-Risk Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers	3
CSD 513	Communication Disorders Related to Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, & Right Hemispheric Dysfunction	3
CSD 519I	Clinical Internship in Speech-Language Pathology	1
Total: CSD graduate credits		7

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

NOTE: ****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 520E, 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 director and clinic director to ensure that all paperwork regarding academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences (e.g., Knowledge and Skills Acquisition form-KASA) required byASHA are accurate and complete.

 

Speech-Language Pathology Program Courses