Speech-Language Pathology

‌‌Researcher performing a study with a child

The Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program at Montclair State University affords Speech-Language Pathology students the opportunity to prepare for employment as clinicians in a variety of settings:

  1. Hospitals
  2. Rehabilitation Centers
  3. Schools
  4. Private practice.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to prepare students to meet the certification and licensure requirements of state, national, and professional agencies for work with persons having a variety of communication disorders and swallowing disorders . This program stresses an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of communication disorders, appropriate assessment of, and intervention for those disorders.

Our successful students:

  1. Obtain a strong understanding of the bases of clinical procedures;
  2. Are able to develop and use theoretical models;
  3. Can engage in reflective and analytical thinking in their professional practices;
  4. Can develop professional collaborations;
  5. Are able to create meaningful treatment programs;
  6. Can utilize research appropriately in their work.


Admissions

Students must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree.  The bachelor’s degree may be in any discipline. Our program admits students with or without prior coursework in Speech-Language Pathology. 
  • Minimal entry requirements:
    1. GPA- 3.0
    2. GREs- Verbal 450; Quantitative 425 (on test taken prior to August 1, 2011)GREs- Verbal 150; Quantitative 140 (test taken after August 1, 2011)

           If you possess a master’s degree, you can request a waiver from the GREs. 
           GREs must have been taken within the last 5 years.

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation.  Recommender needs to attest to the candidate’s potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program; letters from faculty at higher institutions preferred.
  • Essay
  • Essential Functions Form
  • Application fee ($60).


Apply Now

Applications are available online at: http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/app.shtml

For complete information regarding the University admission requirements and the application process, please contact the Graduate School at (973) 655-5147 or website at:  http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/.


Deadline Date

The deadline for applications is March 1st. 

New students are only accepted in the Fall semester.  The Graduate School recommends that you submit your application materials as far in advance as possible from the semester you plan to begin your studies to ensure a timely review of your application.

 
Licensure/Certification

To achieve state licensure and/or national certification, students must complete the following minimum coursework.  Most of these courses are typically completed as part of an undergraduate degree and are not required for acceptance into the Master’s Program in Speech-Language Pathology.  However, students must complete these courses before they apply for a New Jersey (NJ) state license or for national certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

  1. 3 credits- Statistics
  2. 6 credits- Behavioral/Social Sciences
  3. 3 credits- Physical Sciences
  4. 3 credits- Biological Sciences


Curriculum

Students admitted without a speech-language pathology background are not at any disadvantage.  Seats are reserved for students who do not have a background.  These students, once admitted, take undergraduate speech-language pathology courses concurrently with their graduate courses.  A student without a background has a curriculum that is typically two semesters longer than a student who has a background in communication disorders. 

Students, who do not have a background in speech-language pathology, typically come from a major in:

  1. Psychology
  2. Linguistics
  3. Any of the sciences, and/or other backgrounds

The courses in these disciplines provide students with a sense of the material they will study in the graduate program.  Information regarding careers in speech-language pathology can be found at: www.asha.org under the link for “Students.”  We do, however, accept students from all backgrounds.


Pre-professional Courses

The pre-professional Speech-Language Pathology courses needed for a background and to meet ASHA certification standards are:

  1.  Introduction to Language Development
  2. Phonetic Study of Speech Sounds
  3. Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Systems
  4. Neurophysiological Bases of Communication
  5. Clinical Procedures in Audiology


Communication Skills

Graduate students must demonstrate communication skills that will not interfere with clinical practice.  A student who is judged to have questionable skills will be referred to a faculty panel for further evaluation.  If necessary, a student will be referred for assistance.  Students requiring assistance must be re-evaluated before they can enroll in clinical practica.  Enrollment in clinical practica will be postponed until communication skills are judged to be sufficient.


Contact Us

Email: slpinfo@mail.montclair.edu or call Ms. Deborah A. Verderosa, M.A. at 973-655-4232