Department Website
Program Description
The Master of Science program in Communicative Sciences and Disorders prepares graduates to be eligible for professional licensure as a speech-language pathologist. The program provides a broad-based and comprehensive education in both the theoretical and practical aspects of communicative sciences and disorders (CSD). Courses and field work are designed to achieve the integration of academic and clinical experiences. Unique among MS programs, upon completion, all students in the MS will graduate with a solid foundation in culturally responsive practices in the field.
Graduates of the program are prepared to make informed diagnostic judgments, as well as plan and execute a program of therapeutic management for persons with communication and swallowing impairments.
Accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), successful completion of this MS program can lead to the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the ASHA and licensure as a speech-language pathologist.1 Graduates are also eligible to complete the ASHA CF and apply for New York State licensure and for the New York Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certification. Some students may also elect to complete an optional track that leads to eligibility for the bilingual extension (BE) to the New York State TSSLD certificate.1
Study Abroad
The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders offers a summer study-abroad program in Lund, Sweden, which is a 2-week experience during which students take coursework with NYU faculty at Lund University. Past cohorts in the MS program have traveled to Accra, Ghana for spring break, while studying culturally responsive practices in the profession. Some students may engage in interdisciplinary study away opportunities offered through education and other allied health departments within Steinhardt. Study Abroad opportunities are not guaranteed and may change semester to semester based on course availability and scheduling needs.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program have found employment opportunities as speech-language pathologists in hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, private practices, as administrators of clinical facilities, and as faculty and administrators in the university setting. The current need for well-prepared speech-language pathologists is extensive.
Academic Prerequisites
Students who enter the MS program must have completed a bachelor’s degree, and are required to demonstrate mastery of foundational knowledge. This can be accomplished by one of the following:
- completing an undergraduate major or post-baccalaureate certificate in CSD within the last 10 years.
- taking individual foundational courses at another institution prior to beginning the graduate program at NYU and earning a C or better within the last 10 years. Once a student has started the program, they may not take courses at other institutions for transfer credit.
- taking foundational/prerequisite coursework through the Speech@NYU distance education modality at the start of your MS program at NYU and earning a C or better in each course
NYU Steinhardt’s graduate program will certify to ASHA that the requirements for clinical certification have been met. Thus, the faculty must be convinced that the courses taken elsewhere are equivalent in breadth, depth, and rigor to courses at NYU Steinhardt.
Students are required to submit the appropriate documentation to the department to ensure that the content of their completed course work is sufficient in terms of breadth and depth. This includes a thorough review of the course syllabus by department faculty. Students may also be asked to provide information pertaining to the course texts, exams, notes, and at times to have a one-on-one discussion with faculty to demonstrate working knowledge of the information in a foundation course in order to determine course equivalency. Courses for which equivalence cannot be established will be added to a student’s plan of study and completed online through Speech@NYU.
Students must complete all foundational course work prior to entering the practicum sequence. Students may take foundational courses concurrently with certain approved graduate-level courses. These will be indicated on the student’s plan of study.
CSD Foundation Courses
Unless otherwise indicated, all of the above foundations/prerequisite courses are necessary for ASHA certification and state licensure.
Additional non-CSD courses are also required to fulfill requirements for ASHA certification and New York State licensure, and therefore, to graduate from the MS program. These courses do not carry graduate units towards the required 48 MS degree units, and are not offered by the department/program. Students must have transcript units for each of the following areas: biological sciences, physics/chemistry, behavioral sciences, social sciences, and statistics for a total of at least 12 units.
Accreditation
The master of science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and distance education) at New York University 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.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CSCD-GE 2000 | M. S. Student Seminar | 0 |
| TCHL-GE 2999 | Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA: 1 | 0 |
| CSCD-GE 2125 | Spch SCI:Instrumentation | 2 |
| CSCD-GE 2109 | Critical Eval of Research in Communicative Sciences and Disorders | 2 |
| CSCD-GE 2016 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2021 | Adult Lang Disorders | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2025 | Culturally Responsive Practices II: The Educational Context | 2 |
| CSCD-GE 2028 | Stuttering and Cluttering | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2035 | Language Development and Disorders in School-Aged Children | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2037 | Voice Disorders | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2039 | Language Disorders in Preschool Children | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2060 | Dysphagia in Children & Adults | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2075 | Principles/Intervention With Sp-Lang Disorder | 2 |
| CSCD-GE 2108 | Speech Sound Disorders in Children | 3 |
| CSCD-GE 2141 | Culturally Responsive Practices I: Healthcare Settings & the Global Context | 2 |
| 2 | 8 |
| Clinical Practicum I: Pre-Clinic | |
| Clinical Practicum II: Diagnostic Assessment | |
| Clinical Practicum III: Treatment | |
| Field Placement Practicum IV: Pediatrics | |
| Field Placement Practicum V: Adults | |
| 3 | 6 |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Credits | 48 |
Program Details
Students must complete 48 graduate credits beyond a recognized bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or the equivalent preparation (see Academic Prerequisites). Individual needs for ASHA certification or New York State licensure may require additional credits. Students in the Residential Program require a minimum of 5 full semesters and students in the online program require a minimum of 6 full semesters. Courses must be completed across required fall, spring, and summer terms, to complete MS requirements. All coursework must be approved by the graduate adviser.
Practicum Courses and Requirements (8 credits)
The clinical practicum and field placement sequence provides the clinical experiences necessary to integrate theory and practice. In addition to acquiring the clinical hours needed for ASHA certification and New York State licensure, students are exposed to various aspects of the field such as in-service and interdisciplinary conferences, report writing, therapeutic intervention, diagnostic evaluations, and contact with experienced clinicians. Students’ clinical experiences include a variety of clinical settings, client populations, backgrounds, and age groups. Graduate students complete a minimum of five semesters of clinical practicum.
For Students in the Residential Modality
The first three semesters of clinical education are completed in the on-campus clinic. The first practicum semester includes an experiential component at a community partnership and emergent diagnostics with a clinical simulation. The second practicum further focuses on the clinical diagnostic processes with members from the community and may also include providing intervention and/or services in the NYU CSD Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic. The third practicum semester focuses on providing treatment and services with a full caseload in the clinic. All three practicum semesters also include opportunities to work in community partnerships and initiatives in the surrounding metro NY area Following the successful completion of the on-campus practicum in the NYU CSD Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, students are placed off campus for two semesters in Practicum IV and V. Off-campus field placement schedules vary, with many being full-time, with scheduling details at the discretion of the site supervisor. The field placement semesters are considered full-time commitments.
For Students in the Distance-Education Speech@NYU Modality
The first two semesters of clinical education focus on clinical diagnostic processes and are accompanied by required, on-campus clinical immersion experiences. Following the successful completion of the first two clinical semesters, students are placed off campus for three semesters. Off-campus field placement schedules vary, with Practicum IV and V often being full-time, with scheduling details at the discretion of the site supervisor. Practicum III is typically two full days per week in field placements. The field placement semesters are considered full-time commitments
Clinical Hours
All students are required to complete a minimum of 375 supervised direct clinical contact hours and 25 observation hours for a total minimum of 400 clinical hours. If students have not completed the necessary clock hours following the five clinical education placements indicated above, a sixth placement is required. Students must complete observation hours prior to entering the practicum sequence and engaging in direct client contact.
Field Placements
Field placements require full-time, daytime attendance over a 12–16 week semester. Students are required to earn a grade of B or better to successfully complete the practicum experience. Please be advised that field placements, and state/city agencies that issue licenses for practice in this field of study, each may require applicants/students to undergo general and criminal background checks, the results of which the facility or agency must find acceptable. NYU Steinhardt will not be responsible if students are unable to complete program requirements or cannot obtain a license to practice in their field because of the results of such background checks. Some fieldwork placement facilities in this field of study may not be available to students in some states due to local legal prohibitions.
Bilingual Extension Track
The Bilingual Extension Track (BET) prepares students with the foundational academic and clinical knowledge to practice culturally and linguistically responsive practices when assessing and treating emerging multilingual individuals, ages 3–21 years. Upon completion of all Master of Science in SLP and Bilingual Extension coursework, students are eligible for both the TSSLD certificate and its Bilingual Extension (BE).
Academic and Clinical Requirements
When admitted into the BET, students learn related content and complete requirements in tandem with the coursework leading to their Master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. The BET does not require enrollment in additional credits beyond those required for the MS degree. The BET covers required areas of knowledge in multilingualism, equity, and social justice as required by NYS Education Department. Students are also required to earn at least 50 direct clinical contact hours in diagnostic and/or treatment with a pediatric bilingual population (ages 3-21 years) under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist with their TSSLD-BE. Students complete these 50 hours as part of the 400 direct clinical hours required for the MS degree.
Gaining Certification
In addition to these academic and clinical requirements, students are required to register with TEACH NYC to complete the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in their target language (other than English) either during or upon immediate completion of the academic and clinical requirements of the BEP. A passing score on the BEA is a prerequisite to receiving the Bilingual Extension (BE) certificate from the New York State Education Department.
Sample Plan of Study
This plan of study demonstrates typical course sequencing for students who have completed all required foundational coursework. Variation is possible based on factors related to course availability, enrollment capacities, and students' academic backgrounds and preferences. Additional courses may be required for students who have not met all prerequisite requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Explain human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, social and cultural bases.
- Describe the nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, including etiologies, characteristics, anatomical /physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
- Demonstrate readiness to apply principles and methods of assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, developmental, linguistic, social and cultural correlates of these disorders.
- Explain and follow standards of ethical conduct in their practice, including the promotion of culturally and linguistically responsive and sustaining practices, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and advocacy for clients with communication and swallowing disorders and differences.
- Integrate research principles in evidence-based clinical practice.
- Explain human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, social and cultural bases.
- Describe the nature of speech, language, hearing, and communication disorders and differences and swallowing disorders, including etiologies, characteristics, anatomical /physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, and linguistic and cultural correlates.
- Demonstrate readiness to apply principles and methods of assessment, and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, developmental, linguistic, social and cultural correlates of these disorders.
- Explain and follow standards of ethical conduct in their practice, including the promotion of culturally and linguistically responsive and sustaining practices, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and advocacy for clients with communication and swallowing disorders and differences.
- Integrate research principles in evidence-based clinical practice.
Policies
CSD Departmental Policies
Please review the academic policies of the MS Program in CSD.
Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students are expected to maintain "good” academic standing (GAS) as per the program's GPA and grade policy, outlined below. The Student Progress and Awards Committee (SPAC) works with program leadership, the academic advising team, and faculty on an ongoing basis to uphold the academic and clinical standards of the CSD program. Good Academic Standing means:
- The student’s term GPA and cumulative GPA is a 3.0 or above.
- The student has not earned a non-passing grade in any clinical practicum/field placement course (Practicum I-V).
Warning-Probation-Dismissal Sequence1
When a student is not in good academic standing, the following academic designations are applied:
Academic Warning
Students who fall below GAS will be placed on academic warning in the term that follows the one in which they fell below GAS
Academic Probation
Students who do not meet GAS at the conclusion of the academic warning term will be placed on academic probation in the term that follows the academic warning. Students who earn a non-passing grade in any clinical practicum/field placement course (Practicum I-V) will skip the academic warning stage and be placed directly on academic probation regardless of their GPA.
Continued Probation
A student on academic probation who earns a term GPA of at least 3.0 but whose cumulative GPA remains below 3.0 will be placed on ‘continued probation’. In the semester immediately following continued probation, the following outcomes are possible:
- Return to GAS: The student earns both term and cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and has met all other program criteria for GAS
- Continued Probation: The student (again) earns a term GPA of at least 3.0 but whose cumulative GPA still remains below 3.0.
- Dismissal: The student fails to earn a term GPA of 3.0.
Program Dismissal
Students will be recommended for dismissal if:
- The student earns below a passing grade in 2 practicum courses (I-V),
- The student does not meet GPA standards for GAS or qualify for continued probation after the academic probation (see above), and/or
- The student fails to receive a satisfactory grade after 3 attempts in the same course.
Course Repeats
Standards for Course Repeats
Foundations Courses
If a student earns any grade below a C, the course must be repeated.
Practicum I-III Courses
If a student earns any grade below a B, the grade is considered non-passing and the course must be repeated.
Practicum IV-V Courses
If a student earns a grade of “fail”, the course must be repeated. These courses use a pass/fail grading system.
CSCD-GE 2075 Principles of Intervention
If a student earns any grade below a B, the course must be repeated.
All other graduate courses
If a student earns a grade below a C, the course must be repeated. If a prior C or C+ was earned the semester prior, and the student did not successfully complete their required KASA Review during their next term, the course must be repeated.
General Information on Course Repeats
Students who do not meet the above grade requirements will need to repeat the course. There is a maximum of 2 repeats per course (for a total of 3 course attempts) allowed*. Students will be placed on academic probation if they fail to earn a satisfactory grade on their first repeat and will be recommended for dismissal from the program if they fail to earn a satisfactory grade on their second (final) repeat. If the course does not qualify for KASA Review (see below), the course will need to be repeated.
Course Repeats in the Practicum Sequence
Students who earn a non-passing grade in any Practicum course (I-V) will be placed on academic probation. Students who earn 2 non-passing grades in any Practicum course(s) (I-V) will be recommended for academic dismissal. Students who are terminated from a field placement in Practicums III-V will not be permitted to withdraw (receive a “W”) in the course.
KASA Review (Grades of C+ or C in graduate-level courses) and course repeats
KASA refers to "Knowledge and Skills Acquisition," with standards established by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology to help programs track and document student progress toward clinical and academic competencies. Students are expected to meet all KASA standards before graduation. Students who earn a “low passing” grade of C+ or C in particular courses are given the choice of repeating the course or completing KASA review assignments. KASA Review assignments that are individually tailored to the content areas in which the student demonstrated difficulty. KASA Review assignments are to be completed during the term that follows the one in which the student earned the grade of C+ or C. A student must successfully complete the KASA Review assignment to demonstrate that they have fulfilled the requirements of the course (if they initially earned a C or C+).
Courses That Do Not Qualify for KASA Review
Foundation courses, Practicum I-III courses , Practicum IV-V courses, and CSCD-GE 2075: Principles of Intervention. See above for grade standards for these courses.
Academic Integrity Infractions
The Department of CSD aligns with Steinhardt’s policies and procedures related to academic integrity. Please refer to the Steinhardt Academic Integrity page for more information.
Leaves of Absence/Practicum Delay
In order to ensure academic continuity and satisfactory academic progress the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders has adopted the following guidelines around Leaves of Absence and Practicum Delays:
Leaves of Absence (LOA)
Students are not eligible to take more than 2 LOAs during the duration of their time in the program whether consecutive or non-consecutive.
Practicum Delays
Students are not permitted to delay entry into or continuation in the practicum sequence for more than 2 terms total during their time in the program.
Students who exceed a combined total of 2 LOAs and/or Practicum Delays will be required to submit an appeal letter and Memorandum of Understanding for an additional LOA and/or Practicum Delay. If the appeal is not approved the student will be discontinued from the program. Students who are discontinued and wish to be considered for re-enrollment to the program will be required to reapply to the program. If readmitted, students’ previous coursework will be evaluated and students may be required to repeat previous coursework as deemed necessary by the department faculty.
Steinhardt’s Committee on Student Progress (COSP)
The Department of CSD’s Student Progress and Awards Committee (SPAC) reviews student performance in relation to departmental academic policies on an ongoing basis. When students meet departmental criteria for dismissal, they will be referred to the Steinhardt Committee on Student Progress (COSP). Referrals for dismissal are reviewed by the COSP, which meets three times per year at the start of each semester. COSP communicates directly with the referred student on process, timelines, outcomes, and appeal procedures.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.