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Graduate Catalog

Speech-Language Pathology

Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

Chair and Graduate Program Director: Andrea M. Novak, M.A. CCC-SLP

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 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 of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

The five-year program leading to a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and the two-year Master’s Program prepare students to:

  1. 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.
  2. Evaluate the etiologies, pathologies, social-emotional, cognitive, and educational factors associated with disorders of language, articulation-phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, and hearing.
  3. Exemplify knowledge of ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional clinical practice.
  4. Critically evaluate and be sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural and linguistic diversity.
  5. Become eligible to earn certification from ASHA and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania.
  6. Pursue teacher certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education (optional).
  7. 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.