Commonwealth University-°×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý's Speech-Language Pathology master's program prepares students for clinical practice with a variety of communication disorders and in a variety of clinical settings.

Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Get prepared for a rewarding career through a wide-ranging academic experience in all areas of speech-language pathology that includes on-site and external clinical practice with a variety of communication disorders.

Degrees & Offerings
  • M.S.
Department
College
Program Contact
Director of Clinical Education, Coordinator for the MS SLP Program, Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
illustration of Carver Hall

Program Overview

  • *** Application Deadline Update: We've decided to extend the application deadline until Saturday, June 1! ***
  • Coursework - 58 credit hours over 5 semesters.
  • Program Delivery - Taught 100% in-person at °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý.
  • Curriculum Topics - Our program has separate courses in augmentative communication, aphasia, cognitive-based language disorders, both preschool and school-age language course, and swallowing disorders. The study of speech disorders is covered via coursework in articulation, craniofacial disorders, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders. The study of swallowing disorders is focused on the anatomy and physiology of normal and disordered swallowing and a wide array of evaluation and management methods.
  • Graduate Assistantships - Available to qualified applicants.
  • Program Completion Rate - 100% program completion rate.
  • Certification Eligibility - Graduates are eligible for certification in Teaching Speech to Language-Impaired Students granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology issued by the Council for Clinical Certification of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure in speech pathology issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Speech, Language and Hearing.

Courses and Curriculum

*Please see the CU degree requirements effective Fall 2023. All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in .

CMSD 502 Introduction to Clinic 
CMSD 510 Multicultural Issues in CSD
CMSD 550 Aphasia
CMSD 552 Language Disorders in Preschool Children
CMSD 554 Stuttering Treatment and Counseling
CMSD 556 Speech Sound Development and Disorders 
CMSD 558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I 
CMSD 562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children
CMSD 565 Motor Speech Disorders
CMSD 566 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II
CMSD 568 Voice and Resonance Disorders 
CMSD 570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders
CMSD 572 Augmentative Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders
CMSD 576 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology III 
CMSD 580 Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing
CMSD 581 Disorders of Feeding and Swallowing
CMSD 582 Research in Communication Disorders
CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology 
CMSD 586 Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology
CMSD 599 Thesis

Applications to Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program are managed by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS).  The applicant portal opens in early August and can be accessed using this link: .

  • Materials to be submitted through CSDCAS include:
    • a one-page, typed letter detailing your professional background, experience, and rationale for seeking admission to the MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program
    • three letters of recommendation from references who have knowledge of your academic and/or clinical background.
    • current resume.
  • The deadline for receipt and verification of all application materials is June 1, 2024 the year that you plan to begin the graduate program.
  • Applications are only accepted for fall semester enrollment.

Conditional Acceptance

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Admissions Committee accepts graduate students based on the evaluation of an applicant’s ability and readiness for graduate work. The committee may conditionally accept a limited number of undergraduate students enrolled in Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý Communication Sciences and Disorders program who meet the strict criteria established by the Department.

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies, applicants for the MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program must meet the following requirements.

  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in communication disorders and a minimum QPA of 3.0.
  • Applicants whose major is in an area other than communication disorders will be required to satisfactorily complete certain academic and practicum deficiencies. These will be prescribed by faculty following analysis of the applicant’s transcript.
>> 
  • Organization: American Association on Health and Disability

  • Description: Graduate or undergraduate students with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act can apply for this scholarship. They must also be pursuing a degree in public health, disability studies, audiology, special education, rehabilitation engineering, or other fields that have an impact on individuals with disabilities.

  • Amount: Up to $1,000.00

  • Deadline: March 2024

>> 
  • Organization: California Department of Health Care Access and Information

  • Description: Applicants must be taking at least six credits, have a GPA of at least a 2.0, and commit to working in an underserved area of California for at least one year. Students must be enrolled in a qualified healthcare program which includes speech pathology.
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: October 31, 2023
  • Organization: National AMBUCS, Inc.
  • Description: This scholarship is open to graduate students earning a degree in speech-language pathology, hearing audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
  • Amount: $600 to $6,000.00
  • Deadline: May 1, 2024
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
  • Description:
    • General Graduate Student Scholarships - Applicants must be accepted for, or enrolled full-time in, graduate study in a CAA accredited CSD program in the US for general graduate student scholarships
    • Endowed Scholarships –
      • International Student Scholarship- for international students studying in the US. Only non-US citizens are eligible.
      • Minority Student Scholarship- for students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group and are US citizens.
      • NSSLHA Scholarship – for undergraduate senior students with active National NSSLHA membership who will begin grad study in the fall
  • Amount:
    • Up to 15 general graduate student scholarships of $5,000.00 each
    • Up to nine Endowed scholarships of $5,000.00 each.
  • Deadline: May, annually
  • Organization: Autism Science Foundation
  • Description: This award goes to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who want to conduct research into almost any research area, including speech and communication disorders, as long as they relate to autism.
  • Amount: $35,000.00 (for predoctoral students) or $50,000.00 (for postdoctoral students)
  • Deadline: December 8, 2023
>> 
  • Organization: CAPCSD (Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders)
  • Description: This award is intended for graduate students in a professional program (Master’s SLP, Master's AuD, or SLPD) who have shown exemplary service. Examples of service may include, but are not limited to, community service, service to the department or university, or service to the greater discipline. Students must be enrolled in a professional graduate program at a CAPCSD member institution.
  • Amount: $5,000.00
  • Deadline: December 1, 2023
  • Organization: DotCom Therapy
  • Description: DotCom Therapy funds three scholarships for student members of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a program that will lead to a career as a speech-language pathologist, show an interest in practicing as a teletherapist, and discuss why diversity is important in telehealth.
  • Amount: $1,000.00
  • Deadline: January 10, 2024
 
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

  • Description: Any student who’s enrolled in a graduate-level communication science and disorders program may apply. A select number of scholarships will be reserved for certain types of applicants, such as international, disabled, and minority students.

  • Amount: $5,000.00

  • Deadline: May 19th

  • Organization: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
  • Description: The scholarship helps graduate and undergraduate speech-language pathology and audiology students fund their research projects that involve patients with cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial conditions.
  • Amount: $1,000.00
  • Deadline: November 10, 2023
  • Organization: LSVT Global

  • Description: This grant is for graduate students planning on or completing behavioral treatment studies related to speech, language, or swallowing disorders resulting from any neurological disease or injury. Domestic and international applications are accepted.

  • Amount: $1,500.00

  • Deadline: May 5th

  • Organization: AMN Healthcare – Med Travelers
  • Description: An applicant must be a current student in a physical therapy, occupational therapy, school psychology, or speech-language pathology graduate program.
  • Amount: $5,000.00
  • Deadline: November 30, 2023
 
  • Organization: National Association of Junior Auxiliaries

  • Description: Students interested in this scholarship should have completed at least one year of graduate studies in a field that relates to special needs children, including speech pathology, special education, and counseling. Applicants must also have plans to work directly with children after graduation.

  • Amount: Varies

  • Deadline: February 1, 2024

  • Organization: National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing
  • Description: Applicants must be enrolled in an ASHA accredited Master’s program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This is given to a graduate student whose primary career goal provides services to children in school or early intervention settings following graduation and who identifies the importance of strong mentoring relationships to prepare for the role and responsibilities necessary.
  • Amount: $1,000.00
  • Deadline: To be announced
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Description: The primary goal of this scholarship is to help students who want to engage in a research-oriented career in a field relating to communication sciences and disorders. This scholarship is only open to graduate students and upper-class undergraduates.
  • Amount: $1,000.00
  • Deadline: April 30th
  • Organization: Sertoma, Inc.

  • Description: Funded by the Sertoma Annual Fund, this scholarship is intended for graduate students enrolled in an accredited audiology or speech-language pathology program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have at least a 3.5 GPA.

  • Amount: $1,000.00

  • Deadline: March 31, 2024

  • Organization: Voice Aerobics
  • Description: Anyone who’s enrolled in a graduate speech-language program that’s ASHA-accredited is eligible to apply.
  • Amount: $500.00
  • Deadline: April 30th
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation)
  • Description: This grant is awarded to master’s degree students studying speech-language pathology or speech-language science who have research plans to that focus on early childhood language development.
  • Amount: $2,000.00
  • Deadline: To be announced 2024
  • Organization: Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA)
  • Description: This scholarship is available to full-time students working towards a degree that will result in professional-level certification in speech-language pathology, audiology, or educating the hearing impaired within Pennsylvania. Applicants must be a member of the PSHA.
  • Amount: $1,000.00
  • Deadline: February 2024
  Fall Winter Spring Summer
First
Year
CMSD 552
Language Disorders in Preschool Children
CMSD 556
Speech Sound Development and Disorders 
CMSD 572
Augmentative Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders
CMSD 502 Introduction to Clinic

Total = 12 credits
CMSD 510 Multicultural Issues in CSD

Total = 3 credits
CMSD 558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I 
CMSD 580
Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing
CMSD 562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children
CMSD 582 Research in Communication Disorders

Total = 12 credits
CMSD 554
Stuttering Treatment and Counseling
CMSD 568
Voice and Resonance Disorders 
CMSD 566
Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II
CMSD 550
Aphasia

Total = 13 credits
Second Year
 
CMSD 565
Motor Speech Disorders
CMSD 570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders
CMSD 576 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology III 
CMSD 581
Disorders of Feeding and Swallowing

Total = 12 credits
  CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology 
CMSD 586
Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II

Total = 6 credits
 
  Fall Winter Spring Summer
First
Year
CMSD 552
Language Disorders in Preschool Children
CMSD 556
Speech Sound Development and Disorders 
CMSD 572
Augmentative Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders
CMSD 502 Introduction to Clinic

Total = 12 credits
CMSD 510 Multicultural Issues in CSD

Total = 3 credits
CMSD 558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I 
CMSD 580
Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing
CMSD 562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children
CMSD 582 Research in Communication Disorders

Total = 12 credits
CMSD 554
Stuttering Treatment and Counseling
CMSD 568
Voice and Resonance Disorders 
CMSD 566
Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II
CMSD 550
Aphasia
Thesis

Total = 15 credits
Second Year
 
CMSD 565
Motor Speech Disorders
CMSD 570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders
CMSD 576 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology III 
CMSD 581
Disorders of Feeding and Swallowing
Thesis

Total = 14 credits
  CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology 
CMSD 586
Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II
Thesis

Total = 8 credits
 

On-Time Program Completion Rates

Period # Completed within Expected Time Frame % Completed within Expected Timeline
Recent Year
2022-2023
22 100%
1 Year Period
2021-2022
27 100%
2 Year Period
2020-2021
28 100%

Praxis Pass Rates

Reporting Period # Taking the Exam # Passed Exam % Passed Exam Rate
Recent Year
2022-2023
21 19 90.48%
Recent Year
2021-2022
24 22 91.67%
Recent Year
2020-2021
29 29 100%

Employment Rate of Graduates 

Reporting Period Employment Rate in Profession
# of Graduates
from prior year
% of Graduates from prior year
Recent Year
2021-2022
19* 100%
1 Year Prior
2020-2021
28 100%
2 Year Prior
2019-2020
26 96.2%

* = 19 of 27 Responding

Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý is approved to offer programs that lead to certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to prepare you for the required for certification and leads to eligibility for .

Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý cannot confirm this program meets the requirements for licensure in other states. Other states’ requirements may be viewed at the . Because requirements differ by state, applicants should verify requirements for their state(s) of interest prior to applying to this program. Note that state requirements are subject to change at any time and without notice. Please visit bloomu.edu/state-authorization and for details.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Admissions Committee accepts graduate students based on the evaluation of an applicant’s ability and readiness for graduate work. The committee may conditionally accept a limited number of undergraduate students enrolled in Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program who meet the strict criteria established by the Department. The specific conditional acceptance policy is here.

  • Q: How is the Program Delivered?
    A: Taught 100% in-person at °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý.
  • Q: When can I start? 
    A: Applications are accepted for the Fall semester.
  • Q: Do I need to take the GRE in order to apply? 
    A. No - the GRE is not required for admission.
  • Q: Is there an application deadline?
    A: Yes. The deadline for receipt and verification of all application materials is February 1 of the year that you plan to begin the graduate program.

The Husky Difference

99%
Employment Rate among graduates for the past three years
93%
Three-year average pass rate on the PRAXIS

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Council of Academic Accreditation  = Audiology | Speech-Language Pathology

CAA Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential program at Commonwealth U - °×С½ãһФһÂëÈýÖÐÈý 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.

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