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Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Program Description

La Salle University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Speech-language pathologists care for clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds with communication and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists assess, treat, and help prevent speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, fluency, and related disorders.

This graduate program is a full-time program. Academic classes are scheduled in the late afternoon and early evening. Clinical practicum experiences in our on-campus clinic and affiliate sites are predominantly scheduled during business hours. Students have the opportunity to participate in diverse clinical practicum experiences in various professional settings. 

Mission

La Salle University’s Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Program provides a research-oriented, clinically-based curriculum grounded in theoretical, ethical, and clinical knowledge in communication sciences and disorders. Students learn to think critically and communicate effectively to meet professional credentialing requirements, including American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification as speech-language pathologists. Students gain knowledge and skills to evaluate, treat, and advocate for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in a pluralistic society. Students learn to analyze and integrate research into clinical practice, recognize diverse client/caregiver perspectives and values, and pursue life-long learning.

Program Goals

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program at La Salle University is designed to provide an accredited program in which students are prepared to function as qualified speech-language pathologists. The program offers theoretical and clinical experiences that prepare students for leadership roles to meet the health, educational, and social needs of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in the contexts of families, communities, and society. The program is designed to prepare students to meet requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, licensure by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and foundations for doctoral study. Graduates of this program will earn a Master of Science degree.

Program Specific Information

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at La Salle 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Certification and Licensure

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, credentialing, and scientific organization for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech-language-hearing scientists. To practice in most work settings, speech-language pathologists must hold a master’s degree and become certified by ASHA. This certification is called the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and requires completing specific program coursework, including practicum, a supervised Clinical Fellowship (CF), and passing a national examination. 

For more information about ASHA certification, please visit https://www.asha.org/certification/.

All 50 states require speech-language pathologists to be licensed to practice. For state-specific licensure information (including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware), please visit State-by-State (asha.org).

La Salle University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has received approval for teacher certification for the Educational Specialist I School Speech & Language Pathologist PK-12 or the Teacher Instructional Certificate I for Speech and Language Impaired PK-12 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Earning one of these certificates is required to work in the various school systems in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Board regulations require candidates applying for either certificate to pass the appropriate Praxis test administered by the Educational Testing Service. Information about the Praxis Series Tests is available at http://www.ets.org/praxis/pa. Other states may also require prospective teachers to take this or other examinations. In addition to all of the requirements for completing the Master’s degree, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders faculty must recommend candidates for Instructional I certificates. Recommendations are predicated upon completing all course requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in CSD courses. 

Clinical Experiences

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology offers clinical education at various practicum sites. The CSD Department has established strong ties with more than 250 schools, hospitals, private practices, and rehabilitation facilities for supervised clinical practicum affiliations in the greater Philadelphia area. Currently, these include acute-care hospitals (pediatric and adult); rehabilitation hospitals (pediatric and adult); specialized schools; elementary, middle, and high schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware; intermediate units in Pennsylvania and educational services units in New Jersey; and private practices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is a pre-professional membership association for students interested in communication sciences and disorders. La Salle University formed an ASHA-recognized NSSLHA chapter in 2002. Membership in the La Salle NSSLHA chapter is available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in our program.

Student NSSLHA members can increase their involvement in the field by visiting professional work sites, engaging in group outreach programs, attending panel discussions, fundraising, and more. NSSLHA membership allows students to engage in leadership activities locally and nationally by promoting dialogue between students, professionals, and community members.

Visit the NSSLHA Web site: www.nsslha.org.

CSD Student Handbook

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Student Handbook contains program-specific rules, guidelines, and procedures for progression and will be available to all students.