Communication Sciences and Disorders
Faculty
Andrea M. Novak, M.A., Graduate Program Director, Chairperson
Heather Ceccarelli, M.S., Internship Coordinator
Kaitlyn Clarke, Ph.D.
Matthew DeVivo, M.S., Internship Coordinator
Renee S. Jourdanais, M.S., Clinic Director
Marla Kovatch, M.A.
Vijayachandra Angalli Ramachandra, Ph.D.
Sheri Skrutski, Au.D.
Bruce A. Wisenburn, Ph.D.
Mission
The program is designed to provide students with a variety of academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences, according to the standards set forth by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), to prepare them, from a family-centered perspective, for professional careers as speech-language pathologists serving children and adults who have communication disorders. The department also provides pre-professional education for students interested in careers in audiology. The faculty of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is dedicated to providing students with a quality education and opportunities to integrate theory and research into clinical practice.
Objectives
The five-year program leading to a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students to:
- Acquire academic knowledge and develop clinical skills pertaining to the scientific study of human communication processes that are necessary to perform competent practice of speech-language pathology, according to the current ASHA certification standards.
- Evaluate the etiologies, pathologies, social-emotional, cognitive and educational factors associated with disorders of language, articulation-phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, and hearing.
- Exemplify knowledge of ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional clinical practice.
- Critically evaluate and be sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural and linguistic diversity.
- Become eligible to earn certification from ASHA and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania.
- Pursue teacher certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education (optional).
- Work in a variety of settings such as schools, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, and private practice.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Accreditation Status
The Master of Science (M.S.) residential education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Marywood 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, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Special Facilities
The program is housed in the William G. McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. This attractive facility contains specialized space for classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The Center also houses the Marywood Speech-Language and Audiology Clinics. The clinics allow students to work with individuals with speech, language, and hearing needs as part of their educational preparation. The clinics are equipped with video monitoring equipment and a complete audiological evaluation facility. Students have access to computers to develop competence for both academic and personal use.
Communication Sciences and Disorders Program Overview
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a five-year bachelor-to-master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology. This program has a specific course sequence which allows students to graduate with a pre-professional (undergraduate) degree in 3 1/2 years. Bringing in an additional number of transfer/AP credits may result in students earning their pre-professional (undergraduate) degree and officially transitioning to the professional (graduate) phase of the program after three years of undergraduate instruction. The overall program will still be five years regardless of when students transition to the professional (graduate) phase. Students who may be in a position to complete the pre-professional (undergraduate) program in an accelerated time frame should consult with the Financial Aid office, as this may influence aid, scholarships, or other funding sources.
The Pre-Professional Phase
During this phase of the program, students take classes to meet the liberal arts core requirements as well as complete courses in basic human communication processes and some speech-language disorders to prepare them for application and admittance to the Professional Phase of the program.
The Professional Phase
This phase of the program concentrates on coursework in various communication disorders across the life span and provides clinical practicum experiences where students learn to apply knowledge and skills to children and adults who have various speech-language-swallowing disorders. An option to pursue teacher certification is also offered.
Program Flexibility – Multiple Points of Entry
- Enter as a Freshman - Five-year program
- Enter as a Transfer - Two to five-year program based on approved credits for advanced standing
- Enter as a Graduate Student - Those students with an in-field bachelor’s degree from an accredited university may earn their master’s in SLP in approximately two years (5 semesters); those with an out-of-field bachelor’s degree from an accredited university may earn their master’s degree in SLP in approximately three years (7 semesters).