Speech Language Pathology, MS

Chair:

Karen A. Doherty, Ph.D.
621 Skytop Road, Suite 1200

Contact:

Phone: 315-443-9637
Email: csd@syr.edu

Faculty

Karen Doherty, Kimberly Lamparelli, Soren Lowell, Linda Milosky, Joseph Pellegrino, Jonathan Preston, Ellyn Riley, Victoria Tumanova and Kathy Vander Werff, plus adjunct instructors for specialty areas including: Bonnie Hulslander, Eileen Marrinan, Carolyn Tamayo, and Lauren Westby.
Emeritus Professors, Mary Louise Edwards, Janet Ford and Raymond Colton

Clinical Faculty:

Megan Leece, Anita Lightburn, Meghan Lister, Sue Ellen Maxfield, Ramani Voleti, Nicole Huggler, Tara Jones

Program Description:

The clinical graduate programs in speech-language pathology and audiology at Syracuse University are nationally ranked, accredited programs with a long history of excellence. While pursuing a speech-language pathology or audiology degree, students have the opportunity to work with researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories and to learn from master clinicians in the areas of speech, language, and hearing. In addition, the location of the University provides students opportunities to gain clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment with a wide variety of clinical populations.

Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology

The M.S. program in speech-language pathology provides both substantive knowledge and practical experience through a carefully selected sequence of academic study, clinical practice, and research training. Students are prepared for a professional career in diagnosis and management of individuals with speech and language disorders. The typical master’s degree program for a student with a background in communication disorders ranges from 46 to 53 credits and requires a minimum of four semesters and one summer. Students with undergraduate majors other than communication disorders need additional coursework. During the final semester, all students must pass a comprehensive examination or complete a master’s thesis.

Completion of the master’s program provides students with the academic and practicum qualifications for the certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and for New York State licensure in speech-language pathology. Graduates may also fulfill the requirements for New York State teacher certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities.

Clinical Practice:

Students in speech-language pathology participate in a wide range of diagnostic and therapy experiences under the direct supervision of faculty and clinical staff. After obtaining at least 50 hours of on-campus clinical practicum in the department’s Gebbie Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, students also complete two off-site clinical experiences. These externship placements provide students with experience working in the field under the supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist. Placements include public schools, preschool programs, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, private clinics, and special education programs.

Accreditation:

The master of science program in speech language pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Admission:

Admission occurs once per year for fall entry. Applicants must complete a common application and a supplemental application by January 1 for fall admission consideration. See our website for links to the two online applications: http://csd.syr.edu/admissions_info/How-To-Apply.html

We also require GRE exams, undergraduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation as part of the application. The minimum undergraduate GPA is 3.0, however, to be competitive it should be 3.5 or higher. The minimum GRE scores for consideration are: Verbal=145, Quantitative=146, and Writing=3.5. Additionally, international students must score a minimum of 105 on the TOEFL exam.

Financial Support:

All applicants are considered for departmental graduate scholarships and assistantships during the admissions process.

Facilities:

The CSD academic department and Gebbie Speech Language Hearing Clinic are located at 621 Skytop Road on South Campus.

Degree requirements:

The master’s degree requires 46-53 graduate credits for students with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (depending on background coursework) or 72-75 credits for students with no CSD background coursework.

Transfer Credit:

Students may petition to transfer up to 12 graduate credits from another university into the Master of Science program.

Part-time Study:

Part time study is not available in the Master of Science program.

Satisfactory Progress:

A student must graduate with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students with an academic GPA of less than 2.6 at the end of the first semester in the degree program, or an academic or clinic GPA of less than 3.0 at the end of the first academic year, may be asked to leave the program.