Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

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.

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.

 

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

View the Strategic Plan Executive Summary

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

1. The program will recruit, retain and graduate academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students.
2. The program will provide a high quality academic and clinical experience to program students.
3. The program will work to insure that program graduates are well-prepared for entry level into the profession.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The faculty will provide opportunities for faculty-student research projects and presentations at local, state and national conferences.
7. 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.
8. 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.

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.

Apply

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.

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.

Proliability
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