Program Overview
Communication Disorders M.S.
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders is a 60-credit program that fosters ethical, competent, autonomous practice. It is designed to prepare students for a career in speech-language pathology, with a focus on evidence-based practice and interprofessional education.
Program Overview
The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. It is designed for full-time and part-time students and can be completed in two years and two summers for full-time students.
Career Opportunities
Speech-language pathologists work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practice. They evaluate and diagnose speech, language, and swallowing disorders, and provide treatment and education to individuals with these disorders.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree and meet the following requirements:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion of prerequisite courses, including:
- Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing Mechanism
- Phonetics
- Speech & Hearing Science
- Introduction to Communication Disorders or Speech Pathology I
- Introduction to Audiology
- Normal Speech & Language Development
- Submission of a résumé and a writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation
Curriculum
The program consists of 46 credits of required coursework, 6 credits of elective coursework, and 8 credits of clinical education. The curriculum includes courses in:
- Foundations of speech-language pathology
- Assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders
- Swallowing and feeding disorders
- Audiology and hearing science
- Research methods and statistics
Clinical Component
The clinical component of the program includes both in-house and externship practicum experiences in over 250 metropolitan area facilities. Students evaluate and treat individuals with a variety of communication disorders, under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists.
Program Accreditation
The Master of Science in Communication Disorders program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Program Mission
The mission of the program is to prepare professionals to provide quality speech and language services to clients of all ages, cultures, and disabilities in a variety of settings. The program strives to promote a culture of scholarship, critical thinking, and respect, and provide a foundation of knowledge and skills that foster competent, ethical clinical practice for the professional lifetime.
Program Goals
The program goals are to:
- Provide coursework and clinical practicum experiences that prepare students for entry-level practice in speech-language pathology
- Deliver a program of study that is a pathway to TSSLD certification and which is supportive of applicants seeking New York City Department of Education scholarships for new clinicians
- Engage students in capstone research projects to develop their understanding of research in the discipline
- Offer participatory opportunities in interprofessional education and practice activities that highlight collaborative care
- Provide campus and community-based clinical learning experiences that stress evidence-informed decision making in practice
- Expect professionalism, ethical conduct, and respect for individual and cultural differences in the provision of care
Faculty
The program faculty includes:
- Oren Abramowitz, Assistant Professor
- Shari Berkowitz, Professor
- Denise A Dicristofaro, Assistant Professor
- Ashley Marie O'Rourke, Assistant Professor and Program Director
- Susan Smith, Associate Professor
Student Outcome Data
The program tracks student outcome data, including:
- Completion rate: 95% of students completed the program in 2022
- Praxis examination pass rate: 88% of students passed the Praxis examination in 2022
Strategic Plan
The program has a strategic plan that includes goals and objectives for:
- Student success
- Scholarship
- Expanded clinical opportunities
Transfer Credits
Graduate courses taken at other institutions prior to admission to the program may be credited to the graduate degree, if pertinent to the plan of study.
Complaints
The program has a procedure for addressing complaints that fall outside the realm of due process. Complaints should be addressed to the Program Director through the online form. If the program director is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be addressed to the Dean, School of Health and Natural Science.