Communication Sciences and Disorders

Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Degree (CSD) Program offers a five-year major which leads to a Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology. Our program consists of a three-year (7 semesters) pre-professional (undergraduate) track, and a two-year (5 semesters) professional (graduate) track. Students with an out-of-field bachelor’s degree from an accredited university may earn their master’s degree in SLP in approximately three years (7 semesters).

Students work with clients under close supervision in our fully equipped on-campus Speech-Language and Audiology Clinics, as well as in a variety of approved off-campus sites

Program flexibility with multiple points of entry

Enter as a freshman, transfer, or graduate student

Completion of the Undergraduate tracks guarantees you a seat in the Graduate program

About the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

Mission Statement

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.

Program Objectives

Communication Sciences and Disorders is the academic discipline that prepares students to enter the profession of speech-language pathology and/or audiology. Individuals pursuing such careers have an interest in working with people who have communication deficits in the area(s) of speech and/or language and/or hearing and also swallowing disorders. The five-year program leading to a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students to:

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.
Evaluate the etiologies, pathologies, social-emotional, cognitive, and educational factors associated with disorders of language, articulation-phonology, voice, fluency, swallowing, and hearing.
Exemplify knowledge of ethical, legal, regulatory, and financial aspects of professional clinical practice.
Critically evaluate and be sensitive to issues pertaining to cultural and linguistic diversity.
Become eligible to earn certification from ASHA and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist in Pennsylvania.
Pursue teacher certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education (optional).
Work in a variety of settings such as schools, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, community clinics, nursing homes, and private practice.

Strategic Plan

CSD faculty review outcome measure data pertaining to the five-year program from a number of sources. Modifications to our curriculum result from discussions about such data. In addition, the faculty also evaluate the need for further development of the program, and any associated areas for continued growth. These program changes are instrumental in the design of our strategic plan, and are regularly evaluated and congruent with the mission and strategic plan of Marywood University.

The CSD strategic plan is reviewed at the end of each academic year and updated as needed. As goals are met they are documented accordingly and additional goals would be added as appropriate based on department discussion and review of outcome measures and/or program feedback. If goals are not met, discussion would take place regarding alternative ways to achieve goals, additional parties that may need to be added into the discussion, and potential modification of goals.

View Strategic Plan [PDF]

Facilities & Technology

Centralized Learning Space for CSD Students

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program is organized around a contiguous space in the McGowan Center in the northern section of campus, just steps away from the University student center and main dining facility.

Computer Labs

Students have access to two computer labs in the McGowan Center and additional labs across campus for general academic purposes. A secure computer area is located in the student preparation room for clinical use. In this secure CSD area there is a printer available and this space also houses AAC devices and IPads.

Offices

All CSD faculty members' offices, as well as the department support staff, are centrally located adjacent to the program's classroom and clinical spaces in the McGowan Center.

Speech Science Lab

This lab contains the Kay Elemetrics Speech Lab including VisiPitch and Nasometer programs.

Speech/Language & Audiology Clinics

The Speech/Language & Audiology Clinics offer therapeutic and diagnostic speech, language, and hearing services for children and adults within the community.

Student Personal Space

Communication Sciences and Disorders students have their own clinical preparation room. The graduate students have space for private storage within the clinic area for personal and clinic belongings.

Technology-Ready Classrooms

These traditional learning spaces are equipped with state of the art audio/video systems and flexible learning environments.

Speech/Language and Audiology Clinics

The Marywood Speech/Language and Audiology Clinics are housed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, which is centrally located in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies.

The clinics currently feature:

Six (6) therapy rooms
Two (2) diagnostic rooms
A play group/child language group room
Two-way windows and video monitoring capabilities
Speech Science Lab
Clinical Preparation Room
Hearing Aid Evaluation and Aural Rehabilitation Room
Audiology Suite

Communication Sciences & Disorders Department | McGowan Center
570-348-6299 x2608 | F: 570-961-4708 | jourdanais@marywood.edu

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McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies

The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. The Marywood Market is also located here.

The McGowan Center is home to the School of Education and the School of Business and Global Innovation. The Counseling/Student Development Center is also located here.

The building has modern classrooms, computer labs, and controlled lab settings for the Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. Students from the School of Education may utilize the Curriculum Lab, which houses hundreds of school textbooks, teacher manuals, and other teaching materials.

Market Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

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Market at Marywood

Market at Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

Check out menus and hours* at the Dine on Campus website.

*Hours of operation during regular semesters differ from hours during breaks and in the summer.

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McGowan Center Computer Labs

Forgot your laptop and have a paper to finish? Don't fret. All you have to do is walk to one of the computer labs in the McGowan Center. You can also find Assistive Technology such as Inspiration, Kurzweil, and WriteOutLoud. McGowan Center Computer Labs are located in Rooms 1052, 1056, and 1057. Color printers are available.

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McGowan Center Classrooms

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program has many facilities and features a Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, where students have the opportunity to work with individuals with speech, language, and hearing difficulties. The clinic is equipped with video monitors and a complete audiological evaluation facility.

The Psychology and Counseling program features distinctive teaching and research facilities to support counseling and psychology students.

The School of Business and Global Innovation operates facilities such as The Wall Street West Financial Lab and a Flight Simulator for students in Aviation Management.

The School of Education maintains a curriculum lab of texts, manipulative materials, and software designed for K-12 programs. For those interested in working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, there are ample opportunities to observe and teach right on campus.

National Student Speech Language & Hearing Association (Marywood Chapter)

Organizations

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA)

National Student Speech-Lanuage-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

Student Resources

From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way. For currently enrolled students visit the Speech Language Pathology Student Resources Website for academic tips, forms, and more to guide you on your academic journey.

CSD Handbooks

The program provides academic coursework and clinical experiences that prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in the field of speech-language pathology.

Degree Tracks

The program provides academic coursework and clinical experiences that prepare students for entry-level clinical practice in the field of speech-language pathology.

Five Year Program

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

This program allows students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree by designing an academic and clinical curriculum sequence that extends across five years.

The undergraduate (pre-professional phase) portion of the program includes Marywood University’s core curriculum and all of the pre-professional courses that emphasize knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes.

The graduate (professional phase) portion of the program, which begins with the summer semester of the third undergraduate year, emphasizes academic coursework and clinical practicum experiences designed to foster knowledge and skills about the nature of speech, language, hearing and communication disorders and differences as well as swallowing disorders.

This 5-year program provides a rigorous, intensive curriculum sequence tailored to students who are focused on their educational achievements and who are goal oriented. Students who do not meet the academic requirements to transition to the professional (graduate) phase of the program will complete only the pre-professional (undergraduate) phase and earn a bachelor of science degree at the end of their fourth year.

Two-Year (Five Semesters) Master's Program

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

This two-year graduate-level program is offered to qualified individuals with a bachelor's degree. There is limited availability for admission to this program. Students with an out-of-field undergraduate degree can be provisionally admitted to the master’s program, however, they must successfully complete a year of CSD pre-requisite (undergraduate level ) coursework prior to starting the two-year graduate levelprogram.

The graduate program provides a structured sequence of rigorous academic courses and clinical practicum experiences that prepare students for entry-level practice in the field of speech-language pathology. Individuals with such a background and earned graduate degree often pursue careers in various work settings such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and private practice.

Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities Available for ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists

Individuals who are ASHA-certified are qualified to work with individuals across the lifespan who have communication and swallowing disorders in a variety of work settings such as schools, hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and private practice.

It is important to note that in addition to ASHA certification, most states within the United States require that individuals hold a state license in speech-language pathology and/or audiology in order to legally engage in clinical practice.

Become Certified as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

An individual must earn a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a graduate program that is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA, pass the national examination in speech-language pathology, and complete a nine-month Clinical Fellowship. The academic institution offering the degree must also hold a regional accreditation.

Contact the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department

Location: McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 570-348-6299 x2608

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Accreditation

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.

The program was originally accredited in 2001, and was re-approved for a period of accreditation from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2030.

Renee Jourdanais: Clinical Faculty Site Visitor for National Accrediting Body

Ms. Jourdanais will complete a four-year term for the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, visiting graduate programs applying for initial accreditation or re-accreditation.

Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, CSD Professor

Dr. Ramachandra Presents Research

Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Marywood University, recently presented a research paper

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