Entrance Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Arts program must:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree, with accumulative index of
3.0
- Possess competence in oral and written communication
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Submit a 300 word written statement of career goals
- Have completed basic entrance proficiencies which include 18-21
credits of undergraduate coursework in speech and hearing science,
anatomy and physiology of speech, phonetics, language acquisition
or linguistics, pathologies of speech and language; in addition,
courses in computer science and statistics are desired
- In order to meet requirements for ASHA certification, students
are also required to have completed six credits of undergraduate
course work in the biological/physical sciences and mathematics in
addition to six credits of undergraduate course work in the
behavioral and/or social sciences.
- Provision is made for those students deficient in meeting
program entrance proficiencies. Graduate Record Examination scores
are optional, depending upon applicant's overall credentials.
The Program
The Master of Arts programs in Speech-Language Pathology is
designed to provide the academic and clinical education to prepare
graduates to meet existing and emerging challenges to the
professions. It is accredited by the Council of Academic
Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association, and it is deemed to be licensure-qualifying
by the New York State Board of Professional Licensing of the State
Education Department. The 48-credit program consists of three
substantive divisions:
Core Curriculum:
A minimum of 15 credits is required in research methods, basic
communication processes, and clinical courses.
Major Concentration: Students select a concentration in
Speech-Language Pathology and complete a minimum of 24 credits
selected in consultation with the faculty advisor. All students are
required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised clinical
experience; up to six credits of practicum may he applied toward
the degree.
Research:
Students in the thesis option enroll in Master's Research (SPE 900)
for six credits and complete a thesis under the supervision of a
faculty mentor and committee. Students electing the non-thesis
Option select a three credit Special Research course (SPE 451, 452,
or 453) in their area of interest and complete a supervised
research project.
The research core also requires that all students demonstrate
proficiency in at least one of three areas: statistics, language
(including manual communication), or computer science. This
requirement may he satisfied by completing a course in the area or
(in the case of a foreign language) by standardized examination. A
written comprehensive examination is required of all students
electing the non-thesis option. Students who have completed a
thesis sit for an oral comprehensive examination on the thesis and
related areas.
Unique Characteristics of the
Program
This program offers graduate students an opportunity to select
areas of study as well as to enroll in those courses necessary to
meet requirements for ASHA Certification. There are resources
available to the student which include the Computer Center,
Television Center, and Health Education Resource Center. The Speech
and Hearing Center has served successfully as a training facility
for students while providing diagnostic and remediation services to
the community. The Center has a rich resource of tests, materials,
and equipment to provide the needed practicum experiences. More
than 100 outside facilities, including medical centers, hospitals,
schools, day care centers, nursing homes, provide externships for
students to avail them of a broad exposure, multi-disciplinary
environment and permit them to obtain the necessary supervised
clinical hours for certification with a varied caseload across the
age span.
Objectives
The 48-credit Master of Arts degree program is CAA
Accredited in Speech-Language Pathology and is a New York
State licensure-qualifying program. The curriculum consists of
three substantive divisions: a basic core curriculum, taken by all
students, that includes advanced courses in research, basic
communication processes and clinical studies; a major area
concentration curriculum in Speech-Language Pathology, selected in
consultation with one's advisor; and a research project or thesis.
Each student must earn 42 course credits and complete a master's
thesis for 6 credits or earn 45 course credits and complete a
3-credit research project. Students must complete a minimum of 400
hours of supervised clinical experience. Furthermore, the student
must demonstrate proficiency in at least one of three areas:
statistics, language (including manual communication), or
instrumentation and microcomputers. Each student must also satisfy
a full-time residence requirement (a minimum of 10 credits) during
one academic semester.
It should be noted that the program requires a minimum of 48
credits for the degree. Eligibility for the ASHA Certificate of
Clinical Competence may require more credits, depending on the
student's undergraduate preparation. Students accepted to the
master's program in the area of speech-language pathology may not
change their selected major area during the course of their
master's study. By January 1, 2007, requirements for the
practice of Audiology will change to require 75 post-baccalaureate
credits, in our Aud. consortium program.
Facilities
Resources available to the student include: the Computer Center
and Microlabs, Television Center, the Health Education Resource
Center and the Speech and Hearing Center. The Speech and Hearing
Center is located off campus and serves as a training facility for
students while providing diagnostic and remediation services to the
community. It has substantial resources, including tests,
materials, and instrumentation necessary to provide required
practicum experiences. More than 100 outside facilities, including
medical centers, hospitals, schools, day care centers, and nursing
homes, serve as externship sites for students, providing experience
in a variety of settings. The Center is open six days a week,
including evenings and Saturdays.
Teacher of Students with Speech and
Language Disabilities
Students will be eligible to obtain a professional Certificate
as Teacher of Students with Speech and and Language Disabilities
issued by the New York State Department of Education provided that
they meet the education, practicum (student teaching) and
observation requirements on the graduate level, as required by the
New York State Dept. of Education. Practicum SPE 407 (two credits)
in a school-based setting with a minimum of 180 contact hours may
be taken as student teaching. A special selection of course work to
meet New York State Education requirements for the Certificate will
be provided to those students who are interested in this program.
Upon completion of this Program, endorsement to the State will be
issued.