The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a graduate degree in Speech Language Pathology at PennWest Clarion’s campus. We also now offer a quicker path to graduating with a master's degree with our five-year B.S. to M.S. program. These acclaimed and accredited programs continue to be popular as graduates find rewarding careers in varied fields of speech language pathology or audiology.
B.S. Speech Pathology and Audiology
The B.S degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, this pre-professional program is
designed to prepare the student for graduate study and the completion of professional
requirements at that level. Full professional status, including certification by the
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and appropriate state licensure, requires
completion of the master's degree. In addition to the undergraduate program, the department
offers a graduate degree in speech pathology and makes provisions for teacher certification
following the completion of the Master of Science degree. The graduate program is
accredited in speech language pathology by the Council on Academic Accreditation of
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
B.S. to M.S. in Speech language Pathology
The Five-Year Bachelor's to Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology is a program that will be offered to highly motivated, academically talented incoming freshman who are interested in completing their bachelor's and master's degrees in Speech Language Pathology at an accelerated pace. Each year a limited number of freshmen are selected for this program. Students who qualify for this special track and remain in good academic standing are guaranteed an uninterrupted continuation into their graduate studies by securing a seat in the Master's program. The GRE requirement which is necessary for application into the traditional graduate program will also be waived for students admitted into this program.
Please note: This is an invitational alternative to the traditional course of study (pre-professional to graduate program over six years) that continues to be offered in the program.
Academic Requirements
- A composite math and verbal SAT score of at least 1050 or 20 ACT.
- A minimum high school QPA of 3.5 out of 4.0.
- Evidence of extracurricular activities in high school.
Academic Maintenance
- Maintain a 3.3 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA and 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA in core courses (see last page).
- Meet with assigned academic advisor once every semester.
- Participate in a speech, language and hearing screening by their fourth semester.
- Successfully complete a progress interview upon completion of their fourth semester.
Failure to Maintain Requirements
- Student falls below a 3.3 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA and/or a 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA in core courses.
- Student failed to participate in the speech, language, and hearing screening by their fourth semester.
- Student did not pass the speech, language, and hearing screening and did not follow screening recommendations by their fourth semester.
- Student did not successfully complete the progress interview upon completion of the fourth semester.
If a student falls below a 3.3 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA and/or a 3.5 out of 4.0 GPA in core courses he/she will be placed on a one semester probation for a chance to improve their GPA up to required standards. Failure to maintain one or more of these requirements will result in placement on the traditional track as long as the minimum requirements for the customary program are met. The student will also forfeit their guaranteed seat in the graduate program and will complete the customary application process that accompanies the traditional program.
Cohort
- Students in the Five Year B.S. to M.S. Program track will follow a designated cohort designed by members of the Five-Year B.S. to M.S. Program Committee and will be assigned an advisor whom is a member of the committee.
- The designated cohort will result in completion of undergraduate studies in three years (which may include summer and/or winter intersessions) and completion of graduate studies in two years (ASHA satisfied). Students wishing to opt out of the Five Year B.S. to M.S. program must contact their advisor and will continue in the traditional program track.
- Students in this program must complete all of their undergraduate credits prior to taking graduate courses. The 120 credits must be completed within three years (transfer credits may count toward this requirement). Students should understand that in order to complete their undergraduate requirements in three years, they may need to enroll in summer and/or winter intersessions at CUP or another institution which may be subject to scholarship guidelines and may not be covered by financial aid. Program may vary depending upon dual enrollment and/or college credits completed in high school.
- We currently are not accepting transfer students into this program.

M.S. Speech Language Pathology
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department offers a graduate program for
a Master of Science degree in speech language pathology. The degree also makes provisions
for a teacher certification following the completion of the master's degree.
Upon completion of the master's degree, students are eligible for:
- Certification by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Pennsylvania license to practice speech language pathology
- Pennsylvania teaching certificate in speech-language impaired or
- Pennsylvania Speech and Language Educational Specialist
Accreditation: The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Clarion University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Student Outcome Data
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Dr. Kristina Dworek
111 Keeling
(814) 393-2581
Office Hours:
By appointment
DEPARTMENT SECRETARY
Alison Downs
1 814 393 2581
2019-2024 Strategic Plan
CSD DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department is to provide a
high quality, academic and clinical education which enables program graduates to become
competent, fully credentialed speech-language pathologists serving the needs of the
region and Commonwealth.
CSD DEPARTMENT VISION STATEMENT
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department is dedicated to: 1) preparing
students, using evidence-based best practices, with the knowledge and skills needed
to effectively work with communicatively impaired individuals in a variety of clinical
environments, 2) academic and clinical teaching excellence within the program, offering
students quality, inter-disciplinary educational opportunities and experiences, 3)
providing a variety of effective clinical services to the community at-large, and
4) developing educated consumers of research who are committed to lifelong learning
and professional development.
CSD DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC GOALS
- The program will recruit, retain and graduate academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students.
- The program will provide a high quality academic and clinical experience to program students.
- The program will work to insure that program graduates are well-prepared for entry level into the profession.
- The program will provide an adequate number of opportunities for clinical experiences for students, including inter-professional practices by establishing and maintaining partnerships with programs in the community, with university centers and with university departments.
- The department will serve as a regional resource for continuing education by sponsoring at least two day-long continuing education activities annually for the faculty and area professionals.
- The faculty will provide opportunities for faculty-student research projects and presentations at local, state and national conferences.
- The program will work to ensure access to adequate resources including faculty and student computers, equipment for clinic and research to achieve the program's mission and provide a quality educational experience. Clinical diagnostic and therapeutic materials will be updated annually.
- The program will work to recruit and retain well-qualified tenure-track faculty who are committed to teaching, scholarship and service.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Executive Summary of the Strategic Plan 2019 - 2024
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department works to recruit, retain, and graduate academically qualified students and provides a high quality academic and clinical education which enables program graduates to become competent, fully credentialed speech-language pathologists. The department maintains a highly visible profile with the Admission's Office through a variety of Admission Open House events. The department's graduate curriculum ensures that all students have the requisite knowledge and skills for the Master of Science degree, the ASHA CCC, state licensure and teaching certification and maintains accreditation through the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Student/alumni feedback, graduate completion rate, Praxis pass rate and employment rates are utilized to continue program improvements to ensure that the quality of the program meets the highest standards. The program provides opportunities for quality clinical experiences, including inter-professional education, for students by establishing and maintaining partnerships with clinical sites in the community, with university centers and with university departments. The program works to recruit and retain well qualified tenure-track faculty who are committed to teaching, scholarship, and service. The department serves as a resource for continuing education, encourages student involvement in research and ensures faculty and student access to adequate resources to achieve the program's mission and provide a quality educational experience.
Program Highlights: Communication Sciences & Disorders
Accreditation
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at PennWest Clarion (residential) 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.
Pennsylvania Western University also offers the MS SLP program at the California and Edinboro campuses that each hold their own CAA accreditation. CAA accreditation for the integrated Penn West MS SLP program is in progress.
Cohort Model
Build relationships with fellow students and benefit from networking opportunities. You will progress through this program in a five-semester cohort. Cohorts complete an identical core of required courses that are critical to success as an SLP. Each cohort also completes a unique combination of additional courses geared toward the specialized speech-language pathology services needed by diverse patient populations.
Application
Students interested in applying for the Master's in Communication Sciences & Disorders should apply through CSDCAS, a state-of-the-art, online application designed to reduce paperwork, streamline processing, and facilitate ongoing communication between programs and applicants.
Degree Requirements
This 60-credit accredited master's degree program combines comprehensive academic courses and extensive clinical experiences to provide specialized training in all areas of communication disorders.
View the fact sheet for an overview of the program and current curriculum.
Externship Info
At the end of CSD coursework, the student will complete 22 weeks with 12 weeks in school placement and 10 weeks in a medical setting.
All students enrolled in CSD externships must complete all of the following activities and forms prior to beginning the externship:
- Checklist of Requirements
This document lists all requirements needed prior to the externship. (HTML) - Confidentiality Statement (PDF)
- Liability Insurance
This insurance is required prior to the beginning of the actual classroom field experience. This coverage can be obtained through personal insurance or by purchasing insurance through one of the following professional associations: Proliability or HPSO. The liability requirement coverage is $1,000,000.
Mercer Consumer
P.O. Box 14576
Des Moines, IA 50306
Call Center:
1 800 503 9230
(Call Center Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Time, M-F)
Fax: 1-212-948-1509
Email:
info@proliability.com
HPSO
Professional Liability Insurance Programs
PO Box 13630
Philadelphia, PA 191-9802
Call Center:
1 800 982 9491
Costs:
$29 for one year, $1,000,000
Student organizations
There are a variety of ways students become involved for their academic benefit outside of the classroom.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, commonly known a NSSLHA, is an organization for undergraduate and graduate students interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication.
Club Smile is an organization that works with Operation Smile to raise awareness and funds for the repair of cleft palates and cleft lips.
American Sign Language Club is an organization that raises awareness for individuals who are hearing impaired/deaf and for anyone interested in learning/practicing skills in American Sign Language.
TBI Tuesdays is a brain injury support group for the community and university that works to prevent brain injury through education and advocacy. This group also works to improve the quality of life for people who have experienced brain injury and their family members. CSD students provide support for Brain Safety Fairs held each spring in the region.
Student resources
B.S. to M.S. Conditional Status
Graduate Course Catalog (coming soon)
Undergraduate Course Catalog (coming soon)