Speech-Language Pathology, Master of Arts

Full-time students are expected to complete the 54-credit program in two years (i.e., over five consecutive semesters, including summer). Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates.

Students follow a lock-step curriculum. This means all students in the cohort take the same courses in the same sequence. Upon matriculation into the program, accepted students are provided program-specific requirements for maintenance of a minimum GPA, student academic/clinical remediation, student professionalism, and student availability for clinical placements, among others. The following shows the required course sequence for all full-time students. Bilingual extension courses are indicated by asterisk.

The 54-credit lock-step plan for full-time study over two years (five consecutive semesters) is as follows. Please note that optional Bilingual Extension courses are listed. Those seeking the Bilingual Extension will require 63 credits, including an additional Winter Intersession course. Bilingual Extension courses are indicated with an asterisk.

Fall I – 13 credits

• CSD 210 Origin and Assessment of Speech-Language Problems (3 credits)
• CSD 317 Acquired Language Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 318 Developmental Language Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 329 Neurobiology of Speech and Language (3 credits)
• CSD 405 Speech-Language Pathology Practicum I (1 credit)

Winter Intersession I

• *CSD 325 Studies in Bilingualism (3 credits)

Spring I – 13 credits

• CSD 203 Models of Language Behavior (3 credits)
• CSD 315 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3 credits)
• CSD 330 Speech-Language Pathology Practice in Educational Settings (3 credits)
• CSD 331 Principles of Dysphagia (3 credits)
• CSD 406 Speech-Language Pathology Practicum II (1 credit)

Summer I – 9 credits

• CSD 201 Introduction to Research Methods (3 credits)
• CSD 312 Motor Speech Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 354 Habilitation of Children Who are Deaf or Hearing-Impaired (3 credits)

Fall II – 11 credits

• CSD 308 Voice and Fluency (3 credits)
• CSD 314 Disorder of Articulation and Phonology (3 credits)
• CSD 381 Cultural Diversity in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3 credits)
• CSD 407/408 Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology in Educational Settings/Speech Pathology Practicum in Adult Setting (2 credits)
• *EDU 9001 Foundations of Bilingual and Second Language Education (3 credits)

Spring II – 8 credits

Students select two of the following electives:

• CSD 320 Language Based Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
• CSD 321 Assessment and Intervention of Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-School Children (3 credits)
• CSD 322 Communication Problems of Geriatric Persons (3 credits)
• CSD 340 Special Topics (3 credits)

Plus:

• CSD 407 Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology in Educational Settings (2 credits) OR
• CSD 408 Speech Pathology Practicum in Adult Setting (2 credits)
• CSD 105 Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)

*BE Students also complete*:

• EDU 9003 Literacy Development for First and Second Language Learners (3 credits) OR
• EDU 9005 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Dual Language Instruction (3 credits)

Part-time students are expected to complete the 54-credit program in three years (i.e., over eight consecutive semesters, including summers). Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates.

Students follow a lock-step curriculum. This means all students in the cohort take the same courses in the same sequence. Upon matriculation into the program, accepted students are provided program-specific requirements for maintenance of a minimum GPA, student academic/clinical remediation, student professionalism, and student availability for clinical placements, among others. The following shows the suggested course sequence for part-time students. Bilingual extension courses are indicated by asterisk.

The 54-credit lock-step plan for three years of study (eight consecutive semesters) is outlined below. Those seeking the Bilingual Extension will require 63 credits, including an additional Winter Intersession course. Bilingual Extension courses are indicated with an asterisk.

Fall I – 9 credits

• CSD 210 Origin and Assessment of Speech-Language Problems (3 credits)
• CSD 317 Acquired Language Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 329 Neurobiology of Speech and Language (3 credits)
• *EDU 9001 Foundations of Bilingual and Second Language Education (3 credits)

Spring I – 9 credits

• CSD 203 Models of Language Behavior (3 credits)
• CSD 315 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (3 credits)
• CSD 330 Speech-Language Pathology Practice in Educational Settings (3 credits)
• *EDU 9003/9005 Literacy Development for First and Second Language Learners/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Dual Language Instruction (3 credits)

Summer I – 3 credits

• CSD 201 Introduction to Research Methods (3 credits)

Fall II – 7 credits

• CSD 318 Developmental Language Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 381 Cultural Diversity in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (3 credits)
• CSD 405 Speech-Language Pathology Practicum I (1 credit)

Winter Intersession

• *CSD 325 Studies in Bilingualism (3 credits)

Spring II – 7 credits

Students select one of the following electives:

• CSD 320 Language Based Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
• CSD 321 Assessment and Intervention of Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-School Children (3 credits)
• CSD 322 Communication Problems of Geriatric Persons (3 credits)
• CSD 340 Special Topics (3 credits)

Plus:

• CSD 331 Principles of Dysphagia ( 3 credits)
• CSD 406 Speech-Language Pathology Practicum II (1 credit)

Summer II – 6 credits

• CSD 312 Motor Speech Disorders (3 credits)
• CSD 354 Habilitation of Children Who are Deaf or Hearing-Impaired (3 credits)

Fall III – 8 credits

• CSD 308 Voice and Fluency (3 credits)
• CSD 314 Disorder of Articulation and Phonology (3 credits)
• CSD 407/408 Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology in Educational Settings/Speech Pathology Practicum in Adult Setting (2 credits)

Spring III – 5 credits

Students select one of the following electives:

• CSD 320 Language Based Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
• CSD 321 Assessment and Intervention of Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-School Children (3 credits)
• CSD 322 Communication Problems of Geriatric Persons (3 credits)
• CSD 340 Special Topics (3 credits)

Plus:

• CSD 407 Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology in Educational Settings (2 credits) OR
• CSD 408 Speech Pathology Practicum in Adult Setting (2 credits)
• CSD 105 Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)

Students enrolled in the M.A. program for Speech-Language Pathology and pursuing the TSSLD may also apply for the Bilingual Extension. In addition to the requirements for the TSSLD, candidates for the Bilingual Extension will pass an examination in a language other than English, complete 9 additional credits in CSD and EDU, and have at least 50 hours of clinical practicum experience with English language learners distributed across preschool, elementary school, middle school, and adolescence.

The Bilingual Extension consists of 15 credits, and includes the following requirements:

Interested students in good academic standing may apply to the Program Director to be placed into this concentration after the completion of 18 credits of graduate-level coursework. 

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.

The MA in SLP program at St. John's is accredited by the CAA to prepare students for national ASHA Certification in accordance with the most recent 2020 ASHA Certification Standards. Graduates of our program meet the Knowledge and Skills competencies required to complete a Clinical Fellowship and, subsequently, to apply for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). More information about ASHA Certification can be found on their website.

The following pre-requisite courses are also required for ASHA Certification but are notincluded in our MA curriculum. Most students complete these courses at the undergraduate level. In certain circumstances, one of these courses may be taken after admission to the graduate program. More information on acceptable course content for these courses is available here.

• 3 credits in Biological Sciences
• 3 credits in Physics or Chemistry
• 3 credits in Statistics
• 6 credits in Behavioral and/or Social Sciences

Students who successfully complete our MA degree program are eligible to apply for the New York State License for Speech-Language Pathologists. More information is available here.

Note: Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. St. John’s University has not determined requirements for individual states beyond New York. If you reside or plan to reside outside New York, you are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing agency in that state to seek information and guidance before beginning the program.

Students who successfully complete our MA degree program will also be endorsed for the Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) teaching certificate. The TSSLD is issued by the New York State Department of Education. This professional certification is required to work with students in public schools in New York State. Tuition for our program includes all the necessary coursework, observations, and practicum hours students need for the TSSLD.

Students must also pass the Educating All Students Exam (EAS). Fees for the EAS and professional workshops required by the state are not included in tuition.

Students who are fluent in more than one language may also complete additional coursework for institutional recommendation to the New York State Department of Education for the Bilingual Extension (BE) Certificate. This extension is required to work with bilingual students in public schools in New York State.

Students seeking institutional recommendation for the BE must complete nine additional credits:

• CSD 325 Theories of Bilingualism AND
• EDU 9001 Foundations of Bilingual and Second Language Education AND
• EDU 9003 Literacy Development for First and Second Language Learners OR
• EDU 9005 Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Dual Language Instruction

Two courses included in our lock-step curriculum also count towards the BE Certificate. These are:

• CSD 203 Models of Language Behavior (Language Science)
• CSD 354 Cultural Diversity in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

In addition to the course requirements for the TSSLD, candidates for the BE Certificate must have at least 50 hours of clinical practicum experience with English language learners distributed across preschool, elementary school, middle school, and adolescence.

Students must also pass the NYS Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in a language other than English. The BEA assesses knowledge and skills in the foundations of bilingual education, listening and reading comprehension, and written and oral expression. Offered in the target language of the certificate extension sought, it consists of multiple-choice questions, audiotaped listening and speaking components in English and the target language and reading and writing components in the target language. You can find a list of the BEAs here.

Annual Praxis Pass Rates are calculated for all St. John’s designated Speech-Language Pathology Praxis test results reported by ETS between September 1-August 31 of each academic year.