ABOUT THE PROGRAM IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY...

 Ours is a clinically oriented training program, starting with our preprofessional undergraduate degree (a Bachelor of Science in Education), and culminating with our Master of Science degree. We provide basic clinical training for all settings in which Speech-Laugnage Pathologists practice, which range from preschools and elementary through secondary schools to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing facilities.  We prepare you to work with communication and swallowing disorders from the cradle through the golden years!

 As we are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, our master's graduates meet the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by that association.  They also meet licensure requirements in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as other states.  Most of our graduates also choose to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification to provide speech-language pathology services in the schools. 

 Our undergraduate program does have two tracks.  The education track includes all of the coursework and tests necessary for the school certification mentioned above.  The  non-education track is good for those few students who are absolutely sure as they enter the program that they desire a career working with adults in health care or outpatient settings, and for whom having the "job insurance" of school certification is not a concern.

 At the graduate level, we admit a cohort of mostly full time students each Fall semester.  Occasionally, a spot is available for January admission, as well.  While you may submit a graduate application at any time, it is best to be certain that we have received all of your application

materials by the beginning of March.  That is when our Admissions Committee starts to make decisions for the following year.  Our master's curriculum is comprised of 48-51 credits.  Our students spend their first full year (Fall through Summer) taking classes and beginning their clinical experiences in the on campus Speech and Hearing Clinic.  The second year (Fall and Spring semesters) is spent mostly at off campus practicum sites, returning to campus once per week to complete one class (such as a seminar).  A master's thesis is optional, depending on your career goals.

 We have a large network of school, hospital, rehabilitation, and community agency placements, allowing our students to tailor their clinical experiences to their anticipated career path, to an extent.  This network typically spreads from Pittsburgh to Dubois to Altoona, PA, and sometimes beyond!

Over the past ten years, the employment rate for our master's graduates has been 100%!  If you'd like to join a dynamic helping profession, join us!