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Communication Sciences and Disorders

Academic Programs About the Department Accreditation Next Steps

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree (CSD) Program offers a five-year major which leads to a Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology. Our program consists of a three-year pre-professional (undergraduate) track, and a two-year professional (graduate) track.

Explore the programs in the CSD Department

Explore Our CSD Programs

Ready to start your journey toward a communication sciences and disorders degree? Discover the path that’s right for you.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders Pre-Professional (BS)

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

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About the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

Mission Statement

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.

Program Objectives

Communication Sciences and Disorders is the academic discipline that prepares students to enter the profession of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. Individuals pursuing such careers have an interest in working with people who have communication deficits in the area(s) of speech and/or language and/or hearing and also swallowing disorders. The five-year program leading to a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students to:

  • 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.

  • Evaluate the etiologies, pathologies, social-emotional, cognitive, and educational factors associated with disorders of language, articulation-phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, and hearing.

  • Exemplify knowledge of ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional clinical practice.

  • Critically evaluate and be sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural and linguistic diversity.

  • Become eligible to earn certification from ASHA and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania.

  • Pursue teacher certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education (optional).

  • Work in a variety of settings such as schools, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, and private practice.

Strategic Plan

CSD faculty review outcome measure data pertaining to the five-year program from a number of sources.  Modifications to our curriculum result from discussions about such data. In addition, the faculty also evaluate the need for further development of the program, and any associated areas for continued growth. These program changes are instrumental in the design of our strategic plan, and are regularly evaluated and congruent with the mission of Marywood University.

View Strategic Plan [PDF]

Professional Organizations that support speech-language pathologists

Accreditations

Council on Academic Accreditation Audiology Speech Language Pathology

2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700

The Master of Science (M.S.) residential education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Marywood University 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The program was originally accredited in 2001, and was re-approved for a period of accreditation from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2030.


Facilities & Technology

Centralized Learning Space for CSD Students

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program is organized around a contiguous space in the McGowan Center in the northern section of campus, just steps away from the University student center and main dining facility.

Computer Labs

Students have access to two computer labs in the McGowan Center and additional labs across campus for general academic purposes. A secure computer area is located in the student preparation room for clinical use. In this secure CSD area there is a printer available and this space also houses AAC devices and IPads.

Offices

All CSD faculty members' offices, as well as the department support staff, are centrally located adjacent to the program's classroom and clinical spaces in the McGowan Center.

Speech Science Lab

This lab contains the Kay Elemetrics Speech Lab including VisiPitch and Nasometer programs.

Speech/Language & Audiology Clinics

The Speech/Language & Audiology Clinics offer therapeutic and diagnostic speech, language, and hearing services for children and adults within the community.

Student Personal Space

Communication Sciences and Disorders students have their own clinical preparation room. The graduate students have space for private storage within the clinic area for personal and clinic belongings.

Technology-Ready Classrooms

These traditional learning spaces are equipped with state of the art audio/video systems and flexible learning environments.

Speech/Language and Audiology Clinics

The Marywood Speech/Language and Audiology Clinics are housed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which is centrally located in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies.

The clinics currently feature:

  • Six (6) therapy rooms
  • Two (2) diagnostic rooms
  • A play group/child language group room
  • Two-way windows and video monitoring capabilities
  • Speech Science Lab
  • Clinical Preparation Room
  • Hearing Aid Evaluation and Aural Rehabilitation Room
  • Audiology Suite

Communication Sciences & Disorders Department | McGowan Center
570-348-6299 x2608 | F: 570-961-4708 | jourdanais@marywood.edu

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McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies

The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. The Marywood Market is also located here.

The McGowan Center is home to the School of Education and the School of Business and Global Innovation. The Counseling/Student Development Center is also located here.

The building has modern classrooms, computer labs, and controlled lab settings for the Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. Students from the School of Education may utilize the Curriculum Lab, which houses hundreds of school textbooks, teacher manuals, and other teaching materials.

Market Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

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Market at Marywood

Market at Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

Check out menus and hours* at the Dine on Campus website.

*Hours of operation during regular semesters differ from hours during breaks and in the summer. 

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McGowan Center Computer Labs

Forgot your laptop and have a paper to finish? Don't fret. All you have to do is walk to one of the computer labs in the McGowan Center. You can also find Assistive Technology such as Inspiration, Kurzweil, and WriteOutLoud. McGowan Center Computer Labs are located in Rooms 1052, 1056, and 1057. Color printers are available. 

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McGowan Center Classrooms

The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program has many facilities and features a Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, where students have the opportunity to work with individuals with speech, language, and hearing difficulties. The clinic is equipped with video monitors and a complete audiological evaluation facility.

The Psychology and Counseling program features distinctive teaching and research facilities to support counseling and psychology students.

The School of Business and Global Innovation operates facilities such as The Wall Street West Financial Lab and a Flight Simulator for students in Aviation Management.

The School of Education maintains a curriculum lab of texts, manipulative materials, and software designed for K-12 programs. For those interested in working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, there are ample opportunities to observe and teach right on campus.

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Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty

Adjunct Faculty/Supervisors

  • Amanda Connell, M.S., CCC/SLP

  • Sarabeth George, M.S.

  • Benjamin Ivey, Ph.D., CCC/SLP

  • Erin Knoepfel, M.S., CCC/SLP

  • Tara Pagotto, Au.D., CCC/A

  • Kelly Somers, M.S.

  • Adrienne Talerico, M.S., CCC/SLP

  • Kearston Thomas, M.S., CCC/SLP

  • Erin Walsh, M.S., CCC/SLP

  • Stephanie Watson, M.S., CCC/SLP

Andrea M Novak

Professor of Practice | Department Chair

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Heather M Ceccarelli

Assistant Professor of Practice

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Matthew A Devivo

Instructor of Practice

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Renee S Jourdanais

Associate Professor of Practice

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Dr. Vijayachandra Angalli Ramachandra

Professor

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Dr. Kaitlyn A Clarke

Assistant Professor

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Kaitlyn Jolene Froese

Instructor of Practice

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Sarabeth J George

Lecturer

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Nikol Lynn Hall-Grzybowski

Lecturer

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Dr. Jenny A Havlovick

Assistant Professor

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Meghan E Kugler

Lecturer | Lecturer

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Sherri Rae Maher

Lecturer | Lecturer

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Mary Margaret Mazzaccaro

Lecturer

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Brianna K Roche

CSD Program Assistant/Coordinator

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Dr. Sheri A Skrutski

Lecturer

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Adrienne K Talerico

Lecturer

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Erin H Walsh

Lecturer | Lecturer

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Dr. Bruce Alan Wisenburn

Associate Professor

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Clubs

National Student Speech Language & Hearing Association

Student Resources

From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way. For currently enrolled students visit the Speech Language Pathology Student Resources Website for academic tips, forms, and more to guide you on your academic journey.

CSD Handbooks

The program provides academic coursework and clinical experiences that prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in the field of speech-language pathology.

Degree Tracks

The program provides academic coursework and clinical experiences that prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in the field of speech-language pathology.

Five Year Program

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. 

This program allows students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree by designing an academic and clinical curriculum sequence that extends across five years.

The undergraduate (pre-professional phase) portion of the program includes Marywood University’s core curriculum and all of the pre-professional courses that emphasize knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes.  

The graduate (professional phase) portion of the program, which begins with the summer semester of the third undergraduate year, emphasizes academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences designed to foster knowledge and skills about the nature of speech, language, hearing and communication disorders and differences as well as swallowing disorders.

This 5-year program provides a rigorous, intensive curriculum sequence tailored to students who are focused on their educational achievements and who are goal oriented. Students who do not meet the academic requirements to transition to the professional (graduate) phase of the program will complete only the pre-professional (undergraduate) phase and earn a bachelor of science degree at the end of their fourth year.

Two-Year (Five Semesters) Master's Program

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Speech-Language Pathology  

This two-year graduate-level program is offered to qualified individuals with a bachelor's degree. There is limited availability for admission to this program. Students with an out-of-field undergraduate degree can be provisionally admitted to the master’s program, however, they must successfully complete a year of CSD pre-requisite (undergraduate level ) coursework prior to starting the two-year graduate levelprogram.

The graduate program provides a structured sequence of rigorous academic courses and clinical practicum experiences that prepare students for entry-level practice in the field of speech-language pathology. Individuals with such a background and earned graduate degree often pursue careers in various work settings such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and private practice.


Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities Available for ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists

Individuals who are ASHA-certified are qualified to work with individuals across the lifespan who have communication and swallowing disorders in a variety of work settings such as schools, hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and private practice.

It is important to note that in addition to ASHA certification, most states within the United States require that individuals hold a state license in speech-language pathology and/or audiology in order to legally engage in clinical practice.

Become Certified as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

An individual must earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a graduate program that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA, pass the national examination in speech-language pathology, and complete a nine-month Clinical Fellowship.  The academic institution offering the degree must also hold a regional accreditation.

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This fall, the Honorable Judge Karoline Mehalchick, along with other distinguished legal professionals from our region, will be leading a workshop series on campus titled The Courts and Our Community: Civics Engagement. These sessions are designed to introduce students to key legal concepts and to foster civic awareness through direct engagement with judges, attorneys, and legal scholars.

All workshops will take place from 4:00–5:30 p.m. on the dates listed below. We invite you to consider incorporating this opportunity into your course. If you choose to participate, students would attend all six workshops as part of your class requirements, with attendance and engagement contributing approximately 15% of the course grade. For students unable to attend, this portion of the grade may be reallocated to other course components (e.g., exams, assignments).

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This fall, the Honorable Judge Karoline Mehalchick, along with other distinguished legal professionals from our region, will be leading a workshop series on campus titled The Courts and Our Community: Civics Engagement. These sessions are designed to introduce students to key legal concepts and to foster civic awareness through direct engagement with judges, attorneys, and legal scholars.

All workshops will take place from 4:00–5:30 p.m. on the dates listed below. We invite you to consider incorporating this opportunity into your course. If you choose to participate, students would attend all six workshops as part of your class requirements, with attendance and engagement contributing approximately 15% of the course grade. For students unable to attend, this portion of the grade may be reallocated to other course components (e.g., exams, assignments).

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Location: Swartz Conference Room A

This fall, the Honorable Judge Karoline Mehalchick, along with other distinguished legal professionals from our region, will be leading a workshop series on campus titled The Courts and Our Community: Civics Engagement. These sessions are designed to introduce students to key legal concepts and to foster civic awareness through direct engagement with judges, attorneys, and legal scholars.

All workshops will take place from 4:00–5:30 p.m. on the dates listed below. We invite you to consider incorporating this opportunity into your course. If you choose to participate, students would attend all six workshops as part of your class requirements, with attendance and engagement contributing approximately 15% of the course grade. For students unable to attend, this portion of the grade may be reallocated to other course components (e.g., exams, assignments).

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