Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences, M.S.

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 Features

Five-semester, 63 – 66 credit Master of Science degree program
Full-time program delivered on SCSU's campus
100% post-graduate employment rate
Opportunities to engage in exciting theoretical and clinical research with faculty who have clinical and/or research collaborations with Yale-New Haven Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center-West Haven
Comprehensive clinical experiences across the lifespan through our on-campus clinical programs (Center for Communication Disorders, Access Network, and 91��ý Connecticut Audiology Services)
The program meets the requirements for certification in speech-language pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Connecticut licensure, and special endorsement 061 in speech-language pathology for Connecticut public schools

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.

Prior to the start of the graduate program, you must complete both ASHA 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, 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, you must either:

Earn a bachelor's degree in 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

The Connecticut State Department of Education has specific requirements a student must meet to work as an SLP in the school setting. The SLH master’s program includes course and clinical requirements to meet all requirements, except a 3-credit course in special education.

A prospective student will need to meet the requirement of a 3-credit course in special education. The course must include study in understanding the growth and development of exceptional children, including disability and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for, and working effectively with special-needs children in the general education classroom.

If you completed a special education course at a university outside of the state of Connecticut and you believe the course meets the above criteria, you may send your course syllabi to the SCSU College of Education Certification Officer (certification@southernct.edu) to determine whether it would be approved to meet the requirement.

If you have not completed this course, you are encouraged to review and enroll in one of the prior to beginning the master’s degree program.

The Department of Speech, Language, Hearing offers a limited number of graduate assistant positions on a competitive basis. Graduate assistants support the research and/or teaching needs of the department.

Completion of all required and elective courses in a planned program with a GPA of at least 3.0 within the six-year limit.
Complete all clinical hours and practica requirements to meet ASHA and department standards.
Complete capstone - Either pass SLH 605 - Special Projects or successfully complete thesis (approved by School of Graduate Studies).

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

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.
- Teacher Certification: Speech-language pathologists who work in Connecticut public schools must have school certification (Special Endorsement – 061 – Speech-Language Pathology). 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.

Careers

The Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at 91��ý equips you with the expertise and clinical experience needed to become a certified . This program prepares you for licensure and certification, enabling you to work in schools, hospitals, and private practices, where you’ll make a meaningful impact on individuals' communication abilities.

The Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology at 91��ý 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 in November 2026.

Role and Value of ASHA - CAA Accreditation

's interest in accreditation is based upon the belief that all professions that provide services to the public have an obligation to ensure, as far as possible, that services provided by its members are of high professional quality. One effective way in which this obligation can be met is by establishing appropriate standards of educational quality and by identifying publicly those educational programs that meet or exceed these standards. Accreditation is intended to protect the interests of students; benefit the public; and improve the quality of teaching, learning, research, and professional practice. Through its accreditation standards, the accrediting body encourages institutional freedom, ongoing improvement of educational institutions and training programs, sound educational experimentation, and constructive innovation.

Vision

The 91��ý's Department of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences will be the leader in attracting and preparing an exemplary, diverse student body who will be competent in using innovative, evidence-based practices responsive to the culture and unique needs of all individuals with speech, language, hearing disabilities and differences across the life span. 

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Through its’ unwavering  commitment to current, innovative academic and clinical curriculum, and equity-minded policies, the Department of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences will prepare future Speech-Language Pathologists with the knowledge and skills needed to enrich the lives of the people they serve and the wider community in which they live.

To accomplish this mission, the Department will: 

Listen to all voices and experiences to create an inclusive culture dedicated to upholding the basic human rights of equality, freedom, and justice for all our students, faculty, staff, and the clients we serve. 
Support, conduct and disseminate essential, impactful clinical research  
Engage in interprofessional education and practice to foster collaboration and provision of comprehensive client services. 
Embrace innovative, effective clinical practice and service delivery models in our state-of-the art clinic and our myriad clinical practicum opportunities. 
Utilize dynamic teaching approaches to deliver curriculum that reflects the profession’s evolving scope of practice and prepares students to become life-long learners and evidence-based practitioners

Advance our discipline by educating the general public about our mission and available services 
Foster leadership and advocacy in our students and faculty to effectively engage in culturally responsive practice

Program Goals

Expand program offerings to align with student and stakeholder needs such as shortage of SLP, SLP assistants, Multilingual SLPs, doctoral level SLPs
Increase enrollment and retention of students who identify as Black, African-American, Latinx, Native American, Asian, Male, and/or LGBTQ in our undergraduate and graduate programs to foster increased representation across the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Increase breadth of clinical learning /service opportunities for students to meet current and imminent changes within the profession and community
Increase student capacity to engage in interprofessional practice, to use culturally responsive approaches, and to serve clients with specialized needs
Revise all CMD policies and procedures to reflect equity, access, diversity, and inclusion to result in a more diverse student body in both undergraduate and graduate programs
To expand and enhance research experiences for faculty and students to result in greater contribution to the profession and community
Increase CMD faculty understanding of the processes of anti-bias and anti-racism work and their role to support equity, access, diversity, and inclusion in the CMD program.

Students will demonstrate knowledge in the following areas: normal developmental processes; hearing science; speech science; diagnostic audiology; rehabilitative audiology; research in the field of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences; diagnostic and remedial principles in communication disorders; learning theory; cognitive development; dysphagia; literacy. This professional competence is demonstrated through successful completion of the ASHA Knowledge and Skills Acquisition (KASA) requirements.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of research findings and an interest in continuing education in order to develop and maintain clinical competencies to meet the needs of the speech-language-hearing impaired individual. This is demonstrated through completion of the Competency-Based Evaluation for Clinical Practicum and successful completion of the 605 capstone project or a thesis.
Students will demonstrate skills in goal setting, evaluation, interpersonal management, counseling, and professional report writing. This is demonstrated through the successful generalization of knowledge and skills as assessed by clinical instructors incidentally and through completion of the Competency-Based Evaluation for Clinical Practicum.

The Department of Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences offers an and a in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences. Students who have an undergraduate degree in any field from an accredited university are encouraged to apply for entrance into the graduate program. Prerequisite coursework is incorporated into the student's graduate planned program. Students may choose full-time or part-time study; however, the last two semesters of the program must be full-time in order to complete two off-campus clinical practica (typically 40 hours per week).

Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at 91��ý 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 current accreditation cycle expires in November 2026.

On-Time Program Completion Rates

Period	# Completed within Expected Time Frame	% Completed within Expected Time Frame
Recent Year 2024-2025	43	98%
1 Year Prior 2023 - 2024	41	100%
2 Years Prior 2022 - 2023	43	98%

Praxis Pass Rates

Reporting Period	# Taking the Exam	# Passed Exam	% Passed Exam Rate
Recent Year 2024-2025	33	31	94%
1 Year Prior 2023 - 2024	43	39	91%
2 Years Prior 2022 - 2023	41	41	100%

Note: The Praxis examination reporting period is the testing year or examination cycle, not the year of graduation for the test-takers. The data for each reporting period may include test-takers who graduated from the program within the prior 3 years.

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