Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Speech Language Pathology Admissions

Admission Requirements


 
Applicants to the SLP master’s program come from a variety of educational backgrounds.  Some applicants have completed an undergraduate major or minor in communication sciences and disorders and have completed 18 or more credits of undergraduate coursework in speech, language and hearing.  Others have had different undergraduate majors, such as psychology, linguistics, education, biology and Spanish, to name just a few, and have not completed the pre-professional coursework.  These latter students, once admitted, will take those pre-professional courses as part of their program of study.

Students who are accepted will be assigned to one of two cohorts:

1.  Students With a Background (have prerequisites) who will have completed or are enrolled in undergraduate preparation by the application deadline (February 1st) that includes the following three prerequisite courses: Introduction to Language Development, Phonetics, and Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing.

2.  Students Without a Background (do not have prerequisites) who have not completed or are not enrolled in all three of the prerequisite courses by the application deadline (February 1st). Once you apply, you will be considered a student without a background, so don’t take additional classes.

In reviewing the applications, the Speech-Language Pathology admissions committee will evaluate the submitted transcript(s) to determine if an applicant has successfully completed or will need to complete the pre-professional prerequisite courses.  Successful completion means that the applicant earned a “B” or better in the course.  If accepted into the program, applicants can be placed in a work program similar to the attached sample program.

Cohort placement determines your work program – what courses you are required to take and what courses you will take each semester.  The curriculum for students without a background is typically two semesters longer than for a student who has a background in communication disorders. Applicants who apply as a student without a background cannot be changed into the cohort of students with a background.  Students who apply as a student with a background may be changed into the cohort of students without a background if they received a “B-“ or less in any of the three pre-professional courses.

Minimum requirements for applications to be reviewed for admission to the master’s program:

  • Undergraduate GPA greater than or equal to 3.3 or a GPA of at least 3.0 from a prior master’s degree.
  • The GRE is recommended for all applicants. GRE scores:
    Verbal scores of 149 or higher.* 
    Quantitative scores of 151 or higher.* 
    Writing scores of 3.5 or higher.*
  • Two letters of recommendation. Each recommender should attest to the applicant’s potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. Letters should come from faculty at institutions of higher education.
  • Submit an original essay.  Essays should address why you are interested in applying to a program in speech-language pathology.
  • Transcripts or undergraduate and graduate work.  International applicants with overseas education, must have a course by course evaluation with U.S. equivalency from a member of NACES.org or Educated choices.
  • Review and determine if you meet the requirements specified in the Eligibility Requirements and Essential Functions Document.
  • Review the policy on Background Checks for students enrolled in the clinical education programs at Montclair State University
  • Submit the application fee ($60) for Montclair State University.  CSDCAS has their own application fee.
  • International applicants must meet the level of English proficiency recommended by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for Speech-Language Pathologists:

◊  A passing score of 83 of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Note that in order to meet ASHA standards for English proficiency, you will also need a score of 26 on the spoken section).

◊  AND a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). (Note that in order to meet ASHA standards for English proficiency, you will also need a score of 7 on the spoken section).

* Please note that all applicants, including individuals with a previous master’s degree, are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores.  Applicants with a prior master’s degree who took the GRE exam more than five years ago should contact the Graduate School.  All other applicants must have taken the GRE examination in the last five years and must arrange for an official GRE score report from ETS.

NOTE:  The Speech-Language Pathology program will not defer a student’s acceptance to the following year.  You would have to reapply to the program if you are unable to start the program in the Fall that you applied.

Pre-professional


 
An undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology (SLPA) or a degree in communications sciences and disorders (CSD) is not required for admission to the SLP program. This is required in order to meet licensing requirements in some states and to be recognized as eligible for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP).

Prerequisite courses in Communication Sciences and Disorders include:

  • Introduction to Language Development*
  • Phonetic Study of Speech Sounds*
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Systems*
  • Neurophysiological Bases of Communication
  • Clinical Procedures in Audiology.

*These three classes must be taken in order to qualify for a student WITH a background in speech.

And one foundational course from each of the following categories.  If it is determined that you are missing any of these classes, you would be asked to complete the missing classes before graduating from the program in order to obtain your CCC’s:

  • Biological science
  • Physical science
  • Behavioral science (two courses are required to be eligible for a license to practice Speech-Language Pathology in New Jersey)
  • Statistics

Apply Now


 
For complete information regarding the Graduate School admissions requirements and the application process, please contact the Graduate School at 973-655-5147 or review the Graduate School website.

Applications must be submitted through the CSDCAS portal. Deadline date for receipt of applications is February 1st. New students are only accepted to begin study in the fall term only and must be full-time students.

The Graduate School recommends that you submit your application materials as far in advance as possible to the semester you plan to begin your studies to ensure a timely review of your application.