Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree

Program Admission and Matriculation Requirements

A minimum SAT score of 1120 (M & V) is required for admission to the program – (Pre-Professional Phase). An ACT score of a minimum of 23 will also be acceptable in lieu of the SAT. If ACT or SAT scores are not available, please contact the Admissions Department regarding alternate admission options.
Upon completion of the first-year curriculum (freshman year), a minimum QPA of 3.25 in the CSD major is expected and a minimum cumulative QPA of 2.5 is required to remain in the program. For each subsequent semester, a CSD QPA and an overall QPA of 3.25 is expected in order to advance in the Pre-Professional Phase. Students must achieve a minimum cumulative and CSD QPA of 3.25 by the end of the third-year curriculum to transition from the Pre-Professional to the Professional Phase of the program.
Students who do not maintain these QPAs will be placed on academic probation with a possible revised plan of study. An interview at the discretion of the CSD Chairperson and the student’s advisor may also be required. After one semester if the overall and/or CSD QPA does not improve, students may be dismissed from the program. Advisement as to other career opportunities will be provided.
Students may earn one “C” letter final grade in a CSD pre-professional course. If a student earns a second “C” grade, a meeting with the CSD Chairperson and Academic Advisor will be held to determine which of those courses the student will be required to repeat. The student will be informed of the decision by his/her Academic Advisor and placed on academic probation until the course is repeated with a minimum grade of B-. Students who re-take a course are only permitted to re-take the course one time and a revised plan of study will be determined. If a student fails to earn the minimum expected grade of B- once the course is repeated, he/she will be dismissed from the program. Advisement as to other career opportunities will be provided. Students who earn below a C grade in any CSD course will be required to repeat the course with a minimum grade of B-.
Students who have successfully met all required liberal arts core and CSD Pre-Professional Phase coursework may apply for admission to the Professional (Graduate) Phase of the CSD five-year program during the spring semester of year three. See Graduate Admissions for a CSD Transition Application to the Professional Phases and the due date for completion.
Students whose CSD QPA is between 2.33 and 3.24 and who meet the University’s minimum overall QPA requirements to earn a degree may be granted an undergraduate degree in CSD but will not be eligible to transition to the Professional (Graduate) Phase of the five-year program.
Students who earn below a B– in any CSD graduate course or CSD practicum experience (Professional Phase) will be expected to develop an academic/clinical support plan with the course instructor/clinical supervisor in order to improve in those knowledge/skill areas in which the student is deemed deficient. An acceptable mastery level, based on formative assessment, must be demonstrated in all knowledge and skills areas, according to the current ASHA certification standards. In addition, a grade of B– or better or an “S” for any practicum experience is required to advance to the next experience in the sequence. Modifications to any of these requirements can only be granted on a case by case basis upon review by the internship coordinator and graduate program director.
Students who have an undergraduate degree from another institution, who enter the CSD five-year program at the Professional (Graduate) Phase are required to submit:
- Graduate Record Examination test scores and official undergraduate transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on the applicant’s academic and clinical skills and potential for successful graduate study (e.g., former professors, clinical supervisors).
- Submission of a typewritten essay. See specific essay questions and requirements included in the Graduate Admissions Application Packet or on-line application.
- A personal or phone interview at the discretion of the CSD department chair and/or program director.

Note: Preference will be given to applicants who can attend the program full time and take the full complement of courses offered within the context of a cohort model. Typically, students are admitted to the Professional Phase in the fall semester. Part-time students are admitted on a case-by-case basis and are expected to carry nine credits per semester.

Undergraduate Only Program

Students who possess an SAT (M & V) range of <1120/<23 ACT score will be accepted into the undergraduate-only CSD program. These students can apply to transition into the 5-year program following the fall semester of their second year pending a GPA of 3.25 overall as well as in the CSD major and seat availability. If ACT or SAT scores are not available, please contact the Admissions Department regarding alternate admission options.

Students will follow the same course sequence as five-year students with modification made as necessary. Students in the undergraduate-only program are welcome to apply to the graduate program, based on available seats. The admission requirements are the same as students applying from other institutions.

Transfer Students

Students transferring into the CSD five-year program from another program within Marywood or from other institutions must meet established transfer guidelines as posted on the CSD website. An interview with the CSD Chairperson may also be required. Students will be expected to provide evidence of good oral and written communication skills and A level grades in math, science and English writing courses. Students who meet this criterion will be reviewed for admission into the major provided that there are openings in the program.

Degree Conferral and Certification

Those students entering the program as undergraduates will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders upon completion of all requirements at the end of the third or fourth year (based on credits earned). At the end of the fifth year, these students and those entering with an in-field bachelor’s degree who have successfully completed the Professional Phase (years four and five) of the five-year program will be awarded a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and will be eligible to pursue ASHA certification and state licensure.

Prerequisite Course Sequence

Students with Out-of-Field Undergraduate Degrees

Students with out-of-field undergraduate degrees are eligible to apply for the Professional (Graduate) Phase of the program and will be admitted provisionally. Enrollment in graduate level courses, however, requires the following:

Permission of the CSD department chair and/or program director.
Completion of 32 credits of an approved CSD undergraduate prerequisite course sequence at Marywood University with a minimum final grade of B.
Meeting the requirements in basic science, mathematics, and social science coursework according to current ASHA standards. These courses may be taken at any accredited institution. Any courses taken at institutions other than Marywood must be approved by the CSD department chair and/or graduate program director.
Completion of 25 observation hours directed by an ASHA-certified SLP with appropriate documentation.

A plan of study will be developed by the CSD department chair and/or graduate program director, who will serve as the student’s academic advisor. Students will be required to sign a statement regarding their plan of study, which reads:

“The student named on this form understands that to be eligible to matriculate in the Professional Phase of the program, he/she must complete this plan of study with an overall minimum quality point average (QPA) of “B.” The student must earn a minimum QPA of “B” in the fall semester before being permitted to enroll for courses offered during the spring semester.”