Communication Disorders, M.S. - Speech Language Pathology (2025)

The Master of Science degree with a major in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students to practice in public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice as speech-language pathologists. The educational program includes instruction in a broad array of diagnostic and treatment paradigms as well as supervised hands-on experience in the department's unique Center for Communication Disorders and at selected off-campus sites including schools and hospitals.

Program Requirements ››

Program Sequence

Individuals who enter the graduate program with all prerequisite coursework can complete the graduate program in five semesters, full-time (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring). Individual programs for all students are designed to meet the requirements for certification in speech-language pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Connecticut licensure, and special endorsement in speech-language pathology for Connecticut public schools. The Graduate Program Coordinator will review students’ prior coursework to confirm that all prerequisite courses have been completed and meet with students to plan their program.

Students must maintain an overall and departmental GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program.A “B-” or higher must be achieved in all academic courses and clinical practica.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you must completebothASHA prerequisite coursework and pre-professional coursework. Specific requirements for these prerequisites are outlined below.

ASHA Prerequisite Coursework

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you must complete courses in the following content areas:

  • Biological (human or animal) (1 course)
  • Physical Science (physics or chemistry) (1 course)
  • Statistics (1 course)
  • Social/Behavioral Science (psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health) (2 courses)

Pre-Professional Prerequisite Coursework

Prior to the start of the graduate program in communication disorders, you musteither:

  • earn a bachelor's degree in communication disorders and sciences (speech-language-hearing sciences),OR
  • have completed course content in the following areas:
    • Phonetics and Phonological Systems
    • Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
    • Language Development
    • Introduction to Audiology and Hearing Science
    • Neurological Bases of Communication
    • Speech Science
    • Clinical Practice of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
  1. Completion of all required and elective courses in a planned program with a GPA of at least 3.0 within the six-year limit.
  2. Complete all clinical hours and practica requirements to meet ASHA and department standards.
  3. Complete capstone - Either pass CMD 605 - Special Projects or successfully complete thesis (approved by School of Graduate Studies).

Post-Master’s Degree Steps

  1. Pass Praxis II test for speech-language pathology. Be sure to use the following codes when taking the test to ensure that your score is sent to these agencies. If you are planning to apply for a license in a state other than Connecticut, you will need to be sure to look up the code for that state to have the scores sent directly to them as well.
    1. CT State Department of Public Health: Code R7051
    2. ASHA: Code R5031
    3. SCSU Records: Code RA3662
  1. Apply for credentials to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist. The following are links to the agencies for licensure and teacher certification in Connecticut and for ASHA certification. It is important to review the requirements and contact the relevant agency for support.
    CT State Licensure
    Teacher Certification
    ASHA certification

School Certification Coursework Information

Speech-language pathologists who work in Connecticut public schools must have school certification (Special Endorsement in Speech-Language Pathology). Although not required for admission to the graduate program, prospective students are strongly encouraged to complete the following coursework requirements prior to the beginning of their graduate studies. Once enrolled, the College of Education Certification Officer will review transcripts and communicate which course requirement(s) needs to be completed. The Graduate Program Coordinator can assist in locating courses as indicated by the Certification Office.

Application Process

As part of theGraduate Schoolat Southern Connecticut State University, the Department of Communication Disorders offers a program leading to the Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet theadmissions requirements of the Graduate Schooland the Department of Communication Disorders.A cumulative undergraduate degree GPAof 3.0 or higher is required for admission to the Graduate School.In order to be considered for admission, you must have either a Bachelor's Degree in CMD or have completed both ASHA Pre-Requisite Coursework and Pre-Professional Coursework for the SCSU CMD Graduate Program.

For questions about required coursework, please reach out to our undergraduate program coordinator, Dr. Kelly Mabry, before submitting your application.

Application Deadline

Fall semester:January 15
Spring semester: Not offered

Application Procedures

In order to apply to our program, you must complete applications inboththeCommunication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application (CSDCAS)andSouthern Connecticut State University's Graduate Application Portal.It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure ALL required documents have been received in both CSDCAS and the Graduate Application Portalby the January 15thdeadline.Applications not completed by the deadline will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

GRE scores are NOT a requirement of the admissions process.However, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, or PraxisCore) must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal in order to meet the CT State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements.

It is important that you review BOTH of the application procedures below and visit the Graduate Admission's website for detailed document submission information.

CSDCAS Application Process

Create an account, complete application materials inCSDCAS. Please read the directions outlined in CSDCAS carefully in order to complete your application.

Submit to CSDCAS:

  • Official undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts fromallcolleges or universities attended.
  • A resume, no more than 2 pages. See details in the CSDCAS portal.
  • A 250-300 word well-written essay. See prompt in the CSDCAS portal.
  • A brief, 2 minute video essay. See prompt in the CSDCAS portal.
  • Three letters of recommendation (LORs). Chosen recommenders should be able to speak to the applicant's potential for success as a graduate student, as a professional in the field of speech-language pathology, or both. Faculty and/or direct supervisors of work in a related field with whom you have an established relationship are good choices for appropriate recommenders.Please be advised that if you choose to submit more than three letters of recommendation, the Admission’s Committee will only review the first three LORs listed in your application.
  • Foreign transcripts from WES. (International students only).
  • GRE scores are not required. However, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, or PraxisCore) must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal to meet the CT State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirements.

Office of Graduate Admissions Application Process

Submit the SCSU Graduate School application and fee via online submission. Once the Graduate Application is submitted, applicants will be given access to the Graduate Application Portal and will be responsible for submitting required materials to the Graduate School. ApplicantsMUSTcheck the Graduate Application Portal to make sure all materials have been processed by the Graduate School. If you have any questions, please call theOffice of Graduate Admissions.

Submit to the Graduate Application Portal:

  • Official undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts fromallcolleges or universities attended.Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Transcripts can be submitted electronically to: graddocs@southernct.eduor mailed to the Graduate School at: 501 Crescent Street, Buley Library, Rm 444, New Haven, CT 06515
  • Standardized test scores, either ACT, SAT, GRE, or PraxisCore, must be submitted to the SCSU Graduate Application Portal tomeet the Connecticut State Department of Education Teacher Certification requirement.Please use SCSU's code 3662 when submitting scores. Note: Scores currently do not have an expiration date for this requirement.
  • Proof of English proficiency (see Graduate Catalog) and WES transcript evaluation (course-by-course) (INTERNATIONALstudents only).
  • Please note, when confirming that your application is complete, if you are enrolled in a Bachelor’s Program at the time of applying, your file will indicate an outstanding requirement for proof of Bachelor’s Degree. This is expected if you have not completed your degree. Your file will be reviewed as complete if this is your only outstanding requirement. If you are accepted into the program, you will need to submit an official transcript showing proof of degree no later than two weeks prior to the start of the fall term.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR DOCUMENT SUBMISSION OUTLINED ONCSDCASAND THEGRADUATE ADMISSION WEBSITE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH APPLICANT TO REVIEW CSDCAS AND THE GRADUATE APPLICATION PORTAL TO VERIFY THAT ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED BY JANUARY15.

Admissions Decisions

Admissions decisions are made on a competitive basis. By April 1, letters are mailed to applicants indicating that they have been accepted, wait-listed or denied acceptance to the program. Accepted students have two weeks to reply before their admission status will be revoked. Letters of acceptance or rejection will then be mailed to wait-listed applicants.

Finalizing the Admissions Process

All students accepted to the Communication Disorders Program must subsequently be formally admitted by the Office of Graduate Admissions and the School of Education upon final review of transcripts and application materials in order to finalize the admissions process. Admitted students will meet with the Graduate Program Director at the time of program planning during the spring or summer following acceptance into the program. Accepted students begin their studies in the fall semester.

Frequetly Asked Questions

Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders in order to apply to the Master's Program?
You must either have an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders or have completed both ASHA Pre-Requisite Coursework and Pre-Professional Coursework listed on for the SCSU CMD graduate program outlinedhere. For any questions about required coursework, please reach out to our Undergraduate Coordinator, Dr. Kelly Mabry (mabryk1@southernct.edu), to create a personalized plan PRIOR to applying to our graduate program. Please note: Federal financial aid may not be awarded for undergraduate courses taken while enrolled as a graduate student.

Do I need to submit GRE scores as part of the application process?
No, GRE scores are not required, however, submission of standardized test scores is necessary for the Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for school certification. In order to meet this requirement for admission, standardized scores from the GRE, PRAXIS Core, ACT, or SAT must be submitted as part of the application process to the Graduate School Application. Scores do not have an expiration date for this requirement.

Do I need to submit the PRAXIS® Core, formerly PRAXIS® I, SAT or ACT scores?
No, however, submission of standardized test scores is necessary for the Connecticut State Department of Education requirements for Special Services Endorsement. All students complete clinical placements in a public school system, so all students must meet the University's requirements for school certification. Standardized scores from the GRE, PRAXIS Core, ACT, or SAT are acceptable. Scores do not have an expiration date for this requirement.

Is there a minimum undergraduate GPA required in order to be considered in the admissions process?
The minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA to be considered is 3.0, however, the average cumulative GPA of the incoming class is often higher than 3.5.

Is the Master’s Program in Speech Pathology a full-time program?
The Graduate Program in the SCSU Department of Communication Disorders is a full-time program and requires students to take a minimum of 9 – 12 credits per semester to successfully complete all 63 – 66 required credits within 5 semesters. Students enrolling in our program will want to be aware of the time and effort required to successfully engage in the academic and clinical experiences. If you have any questions about this expectation, please reach out to our Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Barbara Cook, atcookb5@southernct.edu.

Application Checklist

MaterialsCSDCASSCSU Graduate Application Portal
Application/feeYesYes
Official TranscriptsYesYes
GRENoYes* (Code 3662, if no ACT, SAT, PraxisCore submitted)
SAT/ACT/PraxisNoYes* (if no GRE)
TOEFL (if applicable)NoYes
ResumeYesNo
EssayYesNo
Video EssayYesNo
Letters of RecommendationYesNo

Graduate Assistantships

The Department of Communication Disorders offers a limited number of graduate assistant positions on a competitive basis. Graduate assistants support the research and/or teaching needs of the Department.

Accreditation

The Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology at Southern Connecticut State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 220 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. The current accreditation cycle expires inNovember 2026.

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Communication Disorders

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Heather Warner, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Communication Disorders, M.S. - Speech Language Pathology (2025)

FAQs

Can SLPs diagnose communication disorders? ›

SLPs perform many tasks in their roles, and among the most crucial are the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. As an SLP, you will diagnose and treat a number of communication disorders in various patient populations.

What are speech and language disorders or communication disorders? ›

Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding.

Is Communication Sciences and disorders the same as speech pathology? ›

Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is a comprehensive program of study for preparing students who want to become speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or audiologists.

What is the difference between a speech-language pathologist and a Communicative Disorders assistant? ›

In simplest terms, an SLP is a licensed, registered professional who can assess your loved one's needs as well as develop, modify or change their treatment goals. A CDA/SLPA is an individual qualified to provide treatment sessions under the SLP's supervision.

What are the DSM-5 criteria for communication disorders? ›

Language disorder, as defined by the DSM-5, is marked by "persistent difficulties in the acquisition and use of language across modalities (i.e., spoken, written, sign language, or other) due to deficits in comprehension or production." Such deficits may include limited vocabulary, limited ability to form sentences, ...

How do SLPs treat language disorders? ›

Treatment for Childhood Language Disorders

The SLP will work with you to set goals for your child and may work on activities like these: Learning early reading and writing skills. Increasing your child's understanding of vocabulary words, directions, and complex sentences.

What are the three types of speech and language disorders? ›

Types of speech disorder include stuttering, apraxia, and dysarthria. There are many possible causes of speech disorders, including muscles weakness, brain injuries, degenerative diseases, autism, and hearing loss.

What is the most common speech and language disorder? ›

Stuttering is the most common type of disfluency. Symptoms of disfluency can include: Repetition of sounds, words, or parts of words or phrases after age 4 (I want... I want my doll.

Are speech and language impairments also known as communication disorders? ›

A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication disorder may range in severity from mild to profound.

Is speech pathology MA or MS? ›

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in Speech Language Pathology (residential) at the University of Southern California is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research ...

What degree is best for speech pathology? ›

An undergraduate degree in CSD is the most common pathway into audiology and speech-language pathology graduate programs. Although there are more than 270 CSD undergraduate programs in the United States, not all institutions have an undergraduate major in CSD, so be sure to check the institution's program offerings.

Is speech pathology a difficult degree? ›

Speech pathology programs typically include both science and liberal arts courses, requiring you to exercise all parts of your brain. Additionally, most master's in speech pathology programs require you to complete a clinical practicum. For these reasons, some students may find it challenging.

Is speech pathology a respected career? ›

Rankings. Speech-Language Pathologists rank #3 in Best Health Care Jobs.

Can a speech pathologist diagnose language disorder? ›

Developmental language disorder is usually diagnosed by a speech pathologist, most commonly when the child is about 5 years. If you have concerns about your child's language development, see your GP, child health service or a speech pathologist.

Is being a speech-language pathologist stressful? ›

But, as you know, the job can be just as challenging as it is rewarding. The daily demands of paperwork, meetings, high caseload, and emotional interactions can leave you feeling detached, drained, or even questioning your ability. It can even lead to SLP burnout!

Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and ...American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | ASHAhttps://www.asha.org ›

SLPs treat many types of communication and swallowing problems. These include problems with: Speech sounds—how we say sounds and put sounds together into words....
What are some of the most common related services used in schools? Page 5: Speech-Language Pathology Services. Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Speech and langua...
Better Hearing & Speech Month, a month dedicated to increasing the awareness about communication disorders and the role of speech-language pathologists in p...

Can SLPs diagnose social communication disorder? ›

Appropriate roles for SLPs include the following: Educating other professionals on the needs of individuals with SCD and the role of SLPs in screening, assessing, diagnosing, and managing SCD.

How do you diagnose communication issues? ›

How are communication disorders diagnosed? Most children with communication disorders are first referred for speech and language evaluations when their delays in communicating are noted. A child psychiatrist is usually consulted, especially when emotional or behavioral problems are also present.

What does an SLP diagnose? ›

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

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