Unique Features/Qualities of the Program
Our academic program is grounded in research and evidence-based practice and motivated by Vincentian principles of social justice that extend our concern for individuals with communication disorders beyond the clinic and classroom.
In addition to developing the knowledge and skill areas required for ASHA Certification and New York State licensure for professional practice clinical practice, our students are trained to utilize critical thinking skills and facilitate problem-solving in clinical situations. All students engage in two semesters of research coursework and can participate in faculty-mentored research projects, yielding frequent presentations at local and national conferences. Moreover, upon completion of our program, students are sufficiently prepared to enter doctoral programs, should they desire to do so.
Our clinical educators model and hold students to the highest clinical and ethical standards. St. John’s Speech and Hearing Center is a state-of-the-art facility for the diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders in children and adults. In addition to providing hands-on experience to students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, the center provides screening and other services to the community. Students also gain experience through externships in a wide range of settings and serving diverse populations. These settings include rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, day care centers, and nursing homes.
Our location in Queens offers a diverse and multicultural education both in and outside the classroom. We offer a Bilingual Extension Certificate (BEC) as part of the master’s program to distinguish you as a professional and prepare you to meet a growing need in the profession.
Academic service-learning experiences enable students to serve marginalized persons locally and globally. As part of SJU’s Mission and commitment to global study and academic service-learning, students also have a unique global study opportunity to gain real-world experience with management of pediatric dysphagia in Antigua, Guatemala.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and its Speech and Hearing Center adhere to St. John’s University’s nondiscrimination policy which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, alien status, citizenship, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability.
Our Vincentian values also align with St. John's "dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion and commitment to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community."
Mission
It is the mission of St. John’s University’s MA program in Speech-Language Pathology to cultivate excellent, well-rounded and culturally competent speech-language/ hearing professionals who are lifelong learners; who employ evidence-based practices; who are responsible practitioners; and who illustrate Vincentian principles of global and social justice.
Strategic Plan 2019-2023
Executive Summary
Research: Students develop information literacy and apply critical thinking skills to allow for the careful evaluation of research as it relates to clinical practices. Students will have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and serve as co-presenters or co-authors on research projects. Students will be encouraged to attend research conferences locally and nationally, and to pursue individual research interests with faculty mentoring.
Scholarship: The depth and scope of the curriculum has been revised to reflect evolving clinical and research trends in the profession. Courses are provided both in-person and online which maximizes time management to allow for a comprehensive education to support the SLP in various professional environments. CSD faculty will remain actively engaged in research and publish in top-tier journals. Our graduates are prepared for entry into Ph.D. programs.
Global: The MA program in Speech-Language Pathology provides students with an opportunity to engage in study and service learning at a medical orphanage in Guatemala. The faculty are actively exploring additional partnerships in South Africa and China.
Service: The SJU Speech and Hearing Center continues to provide outreach services to the diverse population of Queens through programs that target literacy, child development, and hearing health. Adherence to Vincentian Principles of Social Justice requires that services be offered to those individuals most marginalized through economic poverty or having restricted access to health care for other reasons. The MA Program utilizes an alumni advisory board for guidance on student preparation for service in the profession.