a student standing in front of a children's hospital smiling

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Prepare for a rewarding career through a wide-ranging academic experience in all areas of speech-language pathology that includes on-site and external clinical practice opportunities.

Degrees & Offerings
  • M.S.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
Department
College
Program Contact
Director of Clinical Education, Coordinator for the MS SLP Program, Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
Illustration of Mountain

Virtual Information Session

You're invited to the CU-Bloomsburg M.S. Speech-Language pathology Virtual Information Session on Thursday, November 7 on Zoom! Join program faculty as they preview coursework, clinical experiences, program delivery, career options, job outlook, life as a graduate student, and the admission process. 

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Empower Communication

Our M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) provides the comprehensive training needed to develop advanced clinical skills and knowledge to address the critical needs of individuals with communication and swallowing disorders. With a master's degree in SLP, you’ll have the versatility to choose a work environment that aligns with your interests and career goals, the ability to work with diverse populations of all ages, and the opportunity to specialize in areas that can lead to advanced career opportunities and leadership roles. 

MS Speech-Language Pathology students standing next to a welcome sign

Program Overview

  • Program Delivery – The first year of the program is face-to-face, with the exception of an online Winter course in Year One. The last three semesters (Fall, Winter, Spring of Year Two) of the program have content courses delivered online in the evening while students are in their field experience clinical work. 

  • Curriculum Topics – Our program has separate courses in augmentative communication, aphasia, cognitive-based language disorders, both preschool and school-age language course, and swallowing disorders. The study of speech disorders is covered via coursework in articulation, craniofacial disorders, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders. The study of swallowing disorders is focused on anatomy and physiology and a wide array of evaluation and management methods.

  • Graduate Assistantships – Available to qualified applicants. 

  • By the Numbers – 100% program completion rate; 98% employment rate for graduates; 91% PRAXIS pass rate.

  • Certification Eligibility – Graduates are eligible for certification in Teaching Speech to Language-Impaired Students granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology issued by the Council for Clinical Certification of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and licensure in speech pathology issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Speech, Language, and Hearing. 

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Courses and Curriculum

CU Degree Requirements*Degree Works

*Please see the CU degree requirements effective Fall 2024. All enrolled students can also review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion in Degree Works.

Applications to Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program are managed by the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS). The applicant portal opens in early August and can be accessed using this link: CSDCAS Portal.

  • Materials to be submitted through CSDCAS include:
    • a one-page, typed letter detailing your professional background, experience, and rationale for seeking admission to the MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program.
    • three letters of recommendation from references who have knowledge of your academic and/or clinical background.
    • current resume.
  • The deadline for receipt and verification of all application materials is February 1 of the year that you plan to begin the graduate program.
  • Applications are only accepted for fall semester enrollment.

Conditional Acceptance

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Admissions Committee accepts graduate students based on the evaluation of an applicant’s ability and readiness for graduate work. The committee may conditionally accept a limited number of undergraduate students enrolled in Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg Communication Sciences and Disorders program who meet the strict criteria established by the Department.

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies, applicants for the MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in communication disorders and a minimum QPA of 3.0.
  • Applicants whose major is in an area other than communication disorders will be required to satisfactorily complete certain academic and practicum deficiencies. These will be prescribed by faculty following analysis of the applicant’s transcript.
>> AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
  • Organization: American Association on Health and Disability
  • Description: Graduate or undergraduate students with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act can apply for this scholarship. They must also be pursuing a degree in public health, disability studies, audiology, special education, rehabilitation engineering, or other fields that have an impact on individuals with disabilities.
  • Amount: Up to $1,000.00
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program
  • Organization: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
  • Description: Applicants must be taking at least six credits, have a GPA of at least a 2.0, and commit to working in an underserved area of California for at least one year. Students must be enrolled in a qualified healthcare program which includes speech pathology.
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> AMBUCS Scholarship Program
  • Organization: National AMBUCS, Inc.
  • Description: This scholarship is open to graduate students earning a degree in speech-language pathology, hearing audiology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
  • Amount: $600 to $6,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
  • Description:
    • General Graduate Student Scholarships- Applicants must be accepted for, or enrolled full-time in, graduate study in a CAA accredited CSD program in the US for general graduate student scholarships
    • Endowed Scholarships–
      • International Student Scholarship- for international students studying in the US. Only non-US citizens are eligible.
      • Minority Student Scholarship- for students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group and are US citizens.
      • NSSLHA Scholarship- for undergraduate senior students with active National NSSLHA membership who will begin grad study in the fall.
  • Amount:
    • Up to 15 general graduate student scholarships of $5,000 each.
    • Up to nine Endowed scholarships of $5,000 each.
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Autism Science Foundation Pre- and Postdoctoral Training Awards
  • Organization: Autism Science Foundation
  • Description: This award goes to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who want to conduct research into almost any research area, including speech and communication disorders, as long as they relate to autism.
  • Amount: $35,000 (for predoctoral students) or $50,000 (for postdoctoral students)
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> CAPCSD Frances J. Laven Scholarship
  • Organization: CAPCSD (Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders)
  • Description: This award is intended for graduate students in a professional program (Master’s SLP, Master's AuD, or SLPD) who have shown exemplary service. Examples of service may include, but are not limited to, community service, service to the department or university, or service to the greater discipline. Students must be enrolled in a professional graduate program at a CAPCSD member institution.
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> DotCom Therapy Scholarship
  • Organization: DotCom Therapy
  • Description: DotCom Therapy funds three scholarships for student members of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a program that will lead to a career as a speech-language pathologist, show an interest in practicing as a teletherapist, and discuss why diversity is important in telehealth.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Graduate Student Scholarship
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
  • Description: Any student who’s enrolled in a graduate-level communication science and disorders program may apply. A select number of scholarships will be reserved for certain types of applicants, such as international, disabled, and minority students.
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship for Speech Pathology/Audiology Students
  • Organization: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
  • Description: The scholarship helps graduate and undergraduate speech-language pathology and audiology students fund their research projects that involve patients with cleft lip/palate or other craniofacial conditions.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> LSVT Global Student Grants
  • Organization: LSVT Global
  • Description: This grant is for graduate students planning on or completing behavioral treatment studies related to speech, language, or swallowing disorders resulting from any neurological disease or injury. Domestic and international applications are accepted.
  • Amount: $1,500
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Med Travelers Scholarship
  • Organization: AMN Healthcare – Med Travelers
  • Description: An applicant must be a current student in a physical therapy, occupational therapy, school psychology, or speech-language pathology graduate program.
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> NAJA Scholarship Program
  • Organization: National Association of Junior Auxiliaries
  • Description: Students interested in this scholarship should have completed at least one year of graduate studies in a field that relates to special needs children, including speech pathology, special education, and counseling. Applicants must also have plans to work directly with children after graduation.
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> NBASLH Invo Healthcare Scholarship
  • Organization: National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing
  • Description: Applicants must be enrolled in an ASHA accredited Master’s program in Communication Sciences and Disorders. This is given to a graduate student whose primary career goal provides services to children in school or early intervention settings following graduation and who identifies the importance of strong mentoring relationships to prepare for the role and responsibilities necessary.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Preparing Students for Academic Research Careers (SPARC) Award
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Description: The primary goal of this scholarship is to help students who want to engage in a research-oriented career in a field relating to communication sciences and disorders. This scholarship is only open to graduate students and upper-class undergraduates.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship
  • Organization: Sertoma, Inc.
  • Description: Funded by the Sertoma Annual Fund, this scholarship is intended for graduate students enrolled in an accredited audiology or speech-language pathology program. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have at least a 3.5 GPA.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student Scholarship
  • Organization: Voice Aerobics
  • Description: Anyone who’s enrolled in a graduate speech-language program that’s ASHA-accredited is eligible to apply.
  • Amount: $500
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Student Research Grant in Early Childhood Language Development
  • Organization: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation)
  • Description: This grant is awarded to master’s degree students studying speech-language pathology or speech-language science who have research plans to that focus on early childhood language development.
  • Amount: $2,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
>> Von Drach Memorial Scholarship
  • Organization: Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association (PSHA)
  • Description: This scholarship is available to full-time students working towards a degree that will result in professional-level certification in speech-language pathology, audiology, or educating the hearing impaired within Pennsylvania. Applicants must be a member of the PSHA.
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Verify on website
 FallWinterSpringSummer
First
Year

CMSD 552
Language Disorders in Preschool Children


CMSD 556
Speech Sound Development and Disorders


CMSD 572 Augmentative Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders


CMSD 502 Introduction to Clinic

Total = 12 credits

CMSD 510 Multicultural Issues in CSD

Total = 3 credits

CMSD 558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I


CMSD 580 Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing


CMSD 562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children


CMSD 582 Research in Communication Disorders

Total = 12 credits

CMSD 581
Disorders of Feeding and Swallowing


CMSD 565
Motor Speech Disorders


CMSD 566
Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II


CMSD 550
Aphasia

Total = 12 credits

Second Year
 

CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology 
Or
CMSD 586 Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II


CMSD 570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders (online)


Total = 9 credits

CMSD 567
Voice and Resonance Disorders (online)

 

Total = 4 credits

CMSD 586
Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II
Or
CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology II


CMSD 554 Stuttering Treatment and Counseling (online)

Total = 9 credits

 
 FallWinterSpringSummer
First
Year

CMSD 552
Language Disorders in Preschool Children


CMSD 556
Speech Sound Development and Disorders


CMSD 572 Augmentative Communication and Autism Spectrum Disorders


CMSD 502 Introduction to Clinic

Total = 12 credits

CMSD 510 Multicultural Issues in CSD

Total = 3 credits

CMSD 558 Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology I


CMSD 580 Neuroscience of Communication and Swallowing


CMSD 562 Language Disorders in School-aged Children


CMSD 582 Research in Communication Disorders

Total = 12 credits

CMSD 581
Disorders of Feeding and Swallowing

CMSD 565
Motor Speech Disorders


CMSD 566
Clinical Practicum and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology II


CMSD 550
Aphasia


Thesis

Total = 14 credits

Second Year
 

CMSD 584 School Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology
Or
CMSD 586


CMSD 570 Cognitive Based Language Disorders (online)


Thesis

Total = 11 credits

CMSD 567
Voice and Resonance Disorders (online)

Total = 4 credits

CMSD 586 Medical Field Experience in Speech Language Pathology 
Or
CMSD 584

CMSD 554
Stuttering Treatment and Counseling (online)


Thesis

Total = 11 credits

 

On-Time Program Completion Rates

Period# Completed within Expected Time Frame% Completed within Expected Timeline
2023-202429100%
2022-202322100%
2021-202227100%

Praxis Pass Rates

Reporting Period# Taking the Exam# Passed Exam% Passed Exam Rate
2023-2024252391.43%
2022-2023211990.48%
2021-2022242291.67%

Employment Rate of Graduates

Reporting PeriodEmployment Rate in Profession
# of Graduates
from prior year
% of Graduates from prior year
2021-202219*100%
2020-202128100%
2019-20202696.2%

* = 19 of 27 Responding

Out-of-State Licensure and Certification

Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg is approved to offer programs that lead to certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to prepare you for the national exam required for certification and leads to eligibility for speech-language pathology licensure in PA.

Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg cannot confirm this program meets the requirements for licensure in other states. Other states’ requirements may be viewed at the www.asha.org. Because requirements differ by state, applicants should verify requirements for their state(s) of interest prior to applying to this program. Note that state requirements are subject to change at any time and without notice. Please visit our state authorization page and www.asha.org for details.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Admissions Committee accepts graduate students based on the evaluation of an applicant’s ability and readiness for graduate work. The committee may conditionally accept a limited number of undergraduate students enrolled in Commonwealth U- Bloomsburg’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program who meet the strict criteria established by the Department. The specific conditional acceptance policy is here.

  • Q: How is the Program Delivered?
    A: Taught in a combination of face to face and online. See the Program Overview.
  • Q: When can I start?
    A: A new cohort starts every Fall semester.
  • Q: Do I need to take the GRE in order to apply?
    A. No- the GRE is not required for admission.
  • Q: Is there an application deadline?
    A: Yes. The deadline for receipt and verification of all application materials is February 1 of the year that you plan to begin the graduate program.

ONWARD AND UPWARD

98%
Employment rate among graduates for the past three years.
91%
Three-year average pass rate on the PRAXIS.

Continue to Explore

M.S. Speech-Language Pathology
Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology logo

CAA Accreditation

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology residential program at Commonwealth U-Bloomsburg 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, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Graduate students from the Speech-Language Pathology program studying at a table

M.S. Speech-Language Pathology Handbook

This graduate handbook has been compiled for students enrolled in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. SLP) program offered by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Commonwealth University- Bloomsburg. The handbook provides an overview of the requirements and expectations of the graduate student enrolled in the program. Information is provided for both academic and clinical aspects of the program.

Connect with Faculty

Professor Shelley Scarpino

Shelley Scarpino

  • Director of Clinical Education, Coordinator for the MS SLP Program, Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
  • Bloomsburg
Lawton

Patricia Lawton

  • Assistant Professor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
  • Bloomsburg
CommonwealthU University Employee

Cara Tolan

  • Assistant Professor of Audiology
  • Bloomsburg

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