Communicative Sciences and Disorders (MS)

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 Master of Science programs, upon completion, all students in the Master of Science 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 Master of Science 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 Clinical Fellowship (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

¹

State Licensure and CCC eligibility have additional requirements beyond degree completion (i.e., licensure exams, clinical fellowships, etc.). For more information see the program's professional licensure website.  

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 Master of Science 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. See additional information in the Policies section.

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 Master of Science 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:

1. completing a bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate degree/certificate in CSD within the last 10 years.
   1. ​Note: your final transcript must state that a bachelor’s degree and/or post-baccalaureate advance certificate or degree was awarded in CSD/SLP in order to waive all foundation course requirements
2. taking individual foundational courses at another accredited institution prior to beginning the graduate program at NYU. Course must be for 2 credits or higher and earning a C or better within the last 10 years. Courses must be deemed equivalent by CSD faculty (see below). Once a student has started the program, they may not take courses at other institutions for transfer credit
   1. Official transcripts showing the above criteria have been met will be required
3. taking foundational/prerequisite coursework through the Speech@NYU distance education modality at the start of your Master of Science 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. NOTE: As these requirements must be completed to move forward in the graduate program, foundation course credits are not considered "excess credit" by the University.

CSD Foundation Courses

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
CSCD-GE 2002	Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Swallowing Mechanism	2
CSCD-GE 2003	Neurological Bases of Cognition, Behavior and Communication	2
CSCD-GE 2004	Introduction to Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation	2
CSCD-GE 2006	Phonetics	2
CSCD-GE 2007	Science of Language	2
CSCD-GE 2008	Language Development and Disorders in Children	2
CSCD-GE 2009	Speech Development and Disorders in Children	2
Total Credits		14

Unless otherwise indicated, all of the above foundations/prerequisite courses are necessary for program completion.

ASHA Course Requirements 

Our program prepares students for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (ASHA). As such, students must complete American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) course requirements in order to graduate. 

ASHA mandates 12 combined units in the areas of social/behavioral science, biological science, physical science, and statistics. These courses do not carry graduate credit for the M.S. degree. 

These courses are not offered by the department and are not taken at NYU (unless previously taken while enrolled in an NYU undergraduate program). Students must take any outstanding ASHA requirements independently and complete them prior to entering Practicum 1. Fulfillment of the ASHA program requirements must meet these criteria:

• courses must be completed at an accredited institution 
• courses must be at least 3 credits each
• courses must be completed with a minimum C grade 
• content accepted for college-level credit by an undergraduate institution (Advanced Placement Credit, Regents Exam, CLEP, or other equivalency) must be reflected on an official transcript

For a description of which type of courses might meet the ASHA prerequisite course requirements, students can review the ASHA Website by clicking here. 

NOTE: Acceptance of course content towards these requirements is at the discretion of the department and students may be asked to submit additional information during the review process. The resource linked above is meant to serve as a guide, but does not guarantee courses will be accepted by the department. 

Accreditation

The Master of Science 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
301-296-5700

Licensure

By completing the requirements for the MS degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, a student meets the academic requirements for the professional license in speech-language pathology in the State of New York. 

In addition, graduates of the online program may meet the academic requirements for licensure in the State in which the student is located at the time of initial enrollment. For state-specific requirements, please refer to NYU Steinhardt’s MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders Professional Licensure webpage.  Please note that state licensure requirements may change, therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to review their state-specific requirements if they intend on becoming licensed in a state other than NY.

For Speech@NYU students residing in states other than New York, NYU will provide further academic and/or clinical guidance to inform the student of their state's educational requirements.

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

Program Requirements

The CSD MS program requires the completion of 48 credits, comprised of the courses and requirements below. See Policies for additional program information and program-specific policies.

Sample Plan of Study

This plan of study demonstrates potential course sequencing for students in the standard track 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. Students in the program who have completed all foundational requirements may also choose a 5-term intensive track.

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
CSCD-GE 2109	Critical Evaluation of Research in CSD	2
CSCD-GE 2125	Speech Science: Instrumentation	2
CSCD-GE 2039	Language Disorders in Preschool Children	3
CSCD-GE 2021	Adult Language Disorders	3
CSCD-GE 2108	Speech Sound Disorders in Children	3
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 001)	0
	Credits	13
2nd Semester/Term
CSCD-GE 2111	Clinical Practicum I: Pre-Clinic	2
CSCD-GE 2141	Culturally Responsive Practices I: Healthcare & Global Context	2
CSCD-GE 2028	Stuttering and Cluttering	3
CSCD-GE 2037	Voice Disorders	3
CSCD-GE 2016	Motor Speech Disorders	3
TCHL-GE 2999	Drug, Alcohol Ed/Child Abuse ID/School Violence/DASA	0
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 002)	0
	Credits	13
3rd Semester/Term
CSCD-GE 2115	Clinical Practicum II: Diagnostic Assessment	2
CSCD-GE 2075	Principles of Intervention with Speech-Language Disorders	2
CSCD-GE 2035	Language Development and Disorders in School-Aged Children	3
CSCD-GE 2025	Culturally Responsive Practices II: The Educational Context	2
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 003)	0
	Credits	9
4th Semester/Term
CSCD-GE 2116	Clinical Practicum III: Treatment	2
CSCD-GE 2060	Dysphagia in Adults and Children	3
Elective Course		2
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 004)	0
	Credits	7
5th Semester/Term
CSCD-GE 2117	Field Placement Practicum IV: Pediatrics	1
Elective Course		2
Elective Course		2
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 005)	0
	Credits	5
6th Semester/Term
CSCD-GE 2118	Field Placement Practicum V: Adults	1
CSCD-GE 2000	Master of Science Student Seminar (Section 006)	0
	Credits	1
	Total Credits	48

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Explain human communication and swallowing processes, including their biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, social and cultural bases.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Integrate research principles in evidence-based clinical practice.

Policies

Program Policies

General Information About the Program

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. Program length may vary based on previous academic background and program preferences. Courses must be completed across required fall, spring, and summer terms, to complete MS requirements. Students will receive an individualized Plan of Study outlining all course requirements for each term. Students must adhere to the plan of study; deviations from the plan of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Additionally, the department has established certain credit load thresholds for each term and specific to each program track (see program tracks below). Students must adhere to the maximum/minimum credit loads as outlined on their Plan of Study and in the departmental handbook (CSD MS Guides).

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. Good Academic Standing means:

1. The student’s term GPA and cumulative GPA is a 3.0 or above.
2. The student has earned a satisfactory grade on the most recent attempt at Practicum I and II,  and a satisfactory grade on the first attempt at Practicum III, IV and V.  See below.
3. The student has earned a satisfactory grade in all courses on the first or second attempt.

Notice of Academic Alert, Notice of Academic Concern, Academic Dismissal Sequence¹

When a student is not in good academic standing, the following academic designations are applied:

Notice of Academic Alert

Students who fall below GAS will be placed on Notice of Academic Alert in the term that follows. Students who fall below GAS as a result of an unsatisfactory grade in a Practicum course will skip the Notice of Academic Alert step and move directly to Notice of Academic Concern.

Notice of Academic Concern

Students who do not meet GAS at the conclusion of the Notice of Academic Alert term will be placed on Notice of Academic Concern in the term that follows the Notice of Academic Alert. Students who earn an unsatisfactory grade (see grade minimums below) in any clinical practicum/field placement course (Practicum I-V) will skip the Notice of Academic Alert stage and be placed directly on Notice of Academic Concern regardless of their GPA.

Students placed on Notice of Academic Concern as the result of an unsatisfactory grade in Practicum I or II who subsequently receive a satisfactory grade after repeating the course, may be returned to GAS if they meet all other criteria for good academic standing. 

Students placed on Notice of Academic Concern as the result of an unsatisfactory grade in Practicum III, IV, or V will remain on Notice of Academic Concern for the remainder of their time in the program, regardless of performance in the course repeat. Two unsatisfactory grades in Practicum III, IV or V, whether consecutive or non-consecutive will result in an academic dismissal. 

In the semester immediately following Notice of Academic Concern, 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
• Notice of Continued Academic Concern: A student on Notice of Academic Concern who earns a term GPA of at least 3.0 but whose cumulative GPA remains below 3.0 will be placed on Notice of Continued Academic Concern.
  • *Students who are placed on Notice of Academic Concern as a result of a non-passing grade in Practicum III, IV, or V will remain on Notice of Continued Academic Concern for the remainder of their time in the program. 
• Dismissal: The student fails to earn a term or cumulative GPA of 3.0, fails any practicum course I-V while on Notice of Academic Concern, or fails to receive a satisfactory grade in any non-practicum course after 3 attempts.

Students will be recommended for dismissal if:

• The student earns below a passing grade in 2 practicum courses (III-V),
• The student receives an unsatisfactory grade in any clinical practicum course (I-V) following a semester while already on Notice of Academic Concern.
• The student does not meet GPA standards for GAS or qualify for Notice of Continued Academic Concern after the Notice of Academic Concern (see above), and/or
• The student fails to receive a satisfactory grade in any non-practicum course after 3 attempts in the same course.

¹

A student’s progression in the Notice of Academic Alert, Notice of Continued Academic Concern, Dismissal sequence is typically based on consecutive semesters other than when said Notice of Academic Concern is a result of an unsatisfactory Practicum Grade. A student may qualify for Notice of Academic Alert and/or Notice of Academic Concern more than once during their time in the program. It is possible for a student to graduate while actively on Notice of Academic Alert, Notice of Academic Concern, or Notice of Continued Academic Concern.

Course Repeats​

Students who do not meet the grade requirement for a given course will need to repeat the course (see specific grade thresholds below). There is a maximum of 2 repeats per course (for a total of 3 course attempts) allowed*. Students will be placed on Notice of Academic Concern 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. *Students who are required to repeat practicum courses due to insufficient grades will be placed on Notice of Academic Concern and recommended for dismissal after 1 unsuccessful repeat.

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 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 student earns a C or C+, they must successfully complete a KASA Review Assignment the following semester to pass the course (see below).

KASA Review (Grades of C+ or C in qualifying graduate-level courses) 

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 (see exceptions below) are given the choice of repeating the course or completing a KASA Review assignment.  KASA Review assignments 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 the student does not pass their KASA Review assignment or does not complete it within the agreed upon time frame, the course must be repeated.

Courses That Do Not Qualify for KASA Review

Foundation courses, Practicum I-V courses, and CSCD-GE 2075: Principles of Intervention. See above for grade standards for these courses.​

Academic Integrity Infractions

The Communicative Sciences and Disorders Department adheres to Steinhardt's policies and procedures when there are allegations of academic dishonesty. In addition to the procedures outlined by Steinhardt, the Program Director and Department Chair also review cases of academic integrity to determine if program level action is warranted (i.e., placing the student on Notice of Academic Alert or Notice of Academic Concern, or recommending the student for dismissal from the program). The student is informed of this decision by the Department Chair via email. If it is determined that the infraction warrants Notice of Academic Alert or Notice of Academic Concern, the Student Progress and Awards Committee (SPAC) and the Steinhardt Committee on Student Progress (COSP) are notified.

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, or whether sanctioned or non-sanctioned.

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 (see details below).

Policies Surrounding Change of Modality and Reapplication

It is the Department of CSD's policy that students cannot transfer between modalities. Students who wish to change their academic modality (online to on-campus or vice-versa) must fully separate from the university and submit a new application to the other modality. The following policies apply to any student applying for readmission to the CSD Program, whether across or within modalities (e.g., reapplying to the same modality after discontinuation following multiple LOAs).

1. Students must be fully separated from the university (withdrawn, discontinued, or dismissed) before applying. Currently enrolled students must complete a total university withdrawal before submitting an application for admission. If the application deadline for a student's preferred admission term falls in the middle of a term,  the student must withdraw from all currently enrolled courses and complete a total university withdrawal before the application deadline.
2. Admission is not guaranteed. Applications will undergo the standard review process.
3. Applications will not be expedited. All applications will follow the predetermined admission application deadlines and review timelines.
4. If admitted, students will be required to repeat any clinical and disorders courses completed more than three years (9 terms) prior to admission. If more than two years (6 terms) have passed since the last previously completed practicum course, students will be required to complete all practicum coursework and fieldwork at the point of admission.
5. Up to two graduate-level courses totaling no more than 8 credits may be transferred from an accredited college or university to be substituted for graduate-level coursework at the discretion of the department. This total includes coursework completed before initial enrollment. These credits must not have been used to fulfill previous degree requirements and must meet a minimum “B” grade requirement. Coursework taken more than three years prior will not be accepted for transfer credit.
6. Please note that depending on the student's stage in the program and timeline for application, delays in placement for clinical fieldwork may occur.

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.

Academic Accommodations

When seeking academic accommodations, students with hearing and visual, mobility, learning and attention, chronic illness, psychological and temporary needs are required to present the appropriate documentation and register with the Moses Center for Student Accessibility and Inclusive Culture.  If accommodations are required, the Moses Center will alert the instructor at the start of the term.

Academic accommodations cannot be applied to Clinical and field placement experiences (e.g. client documentation, etc.). For accommodations related to all aspects of the field placement experience and experiential learning, please explore clinical accommodations with your Moses Center representative and familiarize yourself with the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Accommodations policy.

Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Accommodations

When seeking clinical practicum or field placement accommodations, students with hearing and visual, mobility, learning and attention, chronic illness, psychological, and temporary needs are required to present the appropriate documentation and register with the Moses Center for Student Accessibility and Inclusive Culture. 
If accommodations are required, the Moses Center will provide formal documentation that the student should use to communicate with their clinical and/or field placement supervisors and/or the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) as appropriate. For field placement accommodations, Students must meet with a member of the CFPT to discuss their preferred method of addressing their accommodations with appropriate parties (e.g., the field placement site/supervisor, etc.). 

Eligible accommodations are supported after an analysis of the student’s disability-related needs, the University’s programs and curriculum, and the University’s legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Reasonable accommodations intend to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity, not to lessen or undermine academic standards or course requirements.  The program will then do its due diligence in attempting to identify a field placement that meets all of these considerations. Considerations for the field placement program are ultimately at the discretion of each field placement.

Students should be proactive in seeking accommodations.  If you have accommodations for your academic courses (e.g., extended time to complete assignments), this does not directly transfer out into the field, and you will need to discuss field placement-specific accommodations with an Accessibility Specialist. 

Although field accommodations are supported at any point during the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence, the Department encourages students to explore experiential learning accommodations ideally during CSCD-GE 2111 Clinical Practicum I to allow the Clinical Field Placement and Academic Advising Teams sufficient time to coordinate efforts within the clinic, community, and/or field placements that align with the formal accommodations. Although the above is the encouraged timeline, accommodations established after this will continue to be taken into consideration and are not retroactive. If a field placement is unable to meet the reasonable accommodations as determined by the Moses Center, the Department and Moses Center representatives will facilitate a reasonable course of action to best support a student’s success. In some cases, this may include postponement of the clinical and/or field placement experience.

If students have established accommodations in either field and/or academic that you would like to make any changes or updates to, please contact your Accessibility Specialist at the Moses Center.  Students' established accommodations are an integral part of the search process and field placement continuity for the current term, and the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) will ensure they are doing their best to meet your accommodation needs. 

Pre-clinical Requirements

Students must meet certain requirements before starting in the Practicum Sequence. Requirements. All requirements will be communicated prior to students’ Practicum 1 term.  Failure to meet Pre-Clinical Requirements by the communicated deadlines will result in a delay in graduation. 

Pre-clinical requirements include but are not limited to: 

1. Observation Hours: Completion of 25 hours of guided clinical observation, supervised by licensed and certified speech-language pathologists (SLP) who work with individuals across the life span in a variety of settings.
   1. Students find and achieve observation hours independently. Students then submit evidence of completion to the department for verification.
   2. Students can only complete a maximum of 12 observation hours via Master Clinician Network (MCN) or Simucase. In instances where hours are acquired as a part of a course requirement that incorporates significant reflection and feedback the department may approve more than 12 hours.
2. Castlebranch Clearances: A series of immunization clearances, physical, background check and drug test.

Praxis Exam

The Praxis is an examination administered by ETS that is used by ASHA and many state licensing/certification boards to assess knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology. While not a graduation requirement, a passing Praxis Examination score is a requirement for ASHA certification and New York State (and most others) for state licensure.

For these reasons, we highly recommend that students consider taking the Praxis Examination if possible before graduation, as your knowledge of field content is strongest as current students.

Policies Pertaining to the Clinical Practicum Sequence 

Practicum Standards

Clinical competencies are assessed by five categories or clinical benchmarks that include:

1. Case Management
2. Diagnostic/Evaluative Skill
3. Treatment & Caseload Management
4. Professional Practices
5. Clinical Writing

If the academic advisor, practicum instructor, clinical supervisor, field placement supervisor, and/or director of field placement report demonstration of difficulty in target clinical competencies, the student will be recommended for a Practicum Success Plan (PSP) that includes specific goals and supports to facilitate success for the student. Students must successfully meet the goals of their PSP plan and maintain those PSP goals without requiring the PSP in order to proceed to the next step of the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence.  If a student does not pass the PSP or is placed back on a PSP, they will be required to repeat the practicum or field placement experience and seminar course.

Criteria for Earning Grades in the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence

Students must complete Experiential Learning Modules introduced in MS Seminar in order to begin Practicums III-V. Students who do not complete these modules following the end of their Practicum II term will not be permitted to enter Practicum III and will require a POS update. Students must complete all clinical and course requirements and receive an overall satisfactory practicum course grade (B or better in Practicum I and II, or III, and “Pass (P)” Practicums IV-V) before beginning the next Practicum in the sequence.  Failure to have direct contact hours approved at the midpoint and the endpoint of the semester will also hold additional consequences. Students can find more information on tracking and approving direct contact hours in the departmental handbook.

Grading Criteria for Practicum IV and V ​Courses

Students enrolled in CSDGE 2117 Practicum IV: Pediatrics and CSDGE 2118 Practicum V: Adults On Campus/Online are graded on a Pass (P)/Fail (F) criteria, instead of a standard letter grade.  This P/F grading system allows for students to focus on competency development and increasing their overall level of clinical independence.  The goal is for students to become more deeply involved in improving their clinical skills, building relationships with supervisors, and focusing on the immersive experience, involving both clinical and non-clinical tasks. The student’s clinical and professional practice competencies are assessed according to their ability to integrate theory into practice and integrate supervisory input to increase their level of independence.

The Practicum Instructor determines the final Practicum course grade using a rubric that incorporates assignments, participation, and final CALIPSO evaluation rating scores completed by the field placement supervisor.  A grade of "Pass" requires a minimum CALIPSO rating of 3.77, and students must pass all course elements to advance in the sequence. Students are required to have their direct contact hours approved at the semester’s midpoint and endpoint. Direct contact hours will only be counted for each Practicum Course for which the field placement supervisor submits a grade of a Pass (“P”). The grade of “P” has no impact on the student’s overall GPA. For specific grading criteria, students should refer to their Practicum IV/V course syllabi.

If a Pass (P) is not achieved in the Practicum IV or V seminar course:

1. A grade of “F” is calculated into the student’s GPA.
2. The student is placed on Notice of Academic Concern.
3. A student must repeat both the Practicum course and that Practicum’s field placement experience and/or clinical setting.
4. All direct contact hours earned during that term will not be credited toward the ASHA or NYU minimum clinical "face-to-face" direct contact hours requirements.

Practicum Incomplete

Incomplete Direct Contact Hour & Attendance Requirements Prac III (Speech@NYU) & second-to-last-term students (e.g., Prac IV OR Prac V both modalities) who do not meet the minimum required 50 direct contact hours and/or minimum required 12 weeks at the end of the semester due to any delay that is not student-driven may be permitted to earn a grade of Incomplete for their Practicum Seminar Course until the hours and/or weeks are completed.  An incomplete is not guaranteed, and certain situations may warrant outcomes such as stepping out of the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence, and a grade of “F” in the course.  Incomplete Direct Contact  or attendance requirements may also lead to extending their Plan of Study until outstanding requirements are met, creating a Personal Success Plan (PSP), weekly meetings with specific teams, etc.  Students who receive an incomplete will be subject to incomplete grade guidelines for Practicum courses outlined in departmental handbooks. 

Students in Practicum III-V must have a documented passing grade in their current Practicum course before starting their next Practicum course and field experience. 
The maximum incomplete extension deadline for completing outstanding work in Practicum III-V will be 3 business days before the start of the next term. 

Students in their graduating term must complete their final Practicum by the term end date (last day of finals) and cannot be granted an extension. Students in their graduating term who do not complete their requirements by the term end date will need to register for Practicum VI and require a POS update automatically. Students will also be financially responsible for Practicum VI. 

Logging Clinical Hours

Students should log their hours holistically by considering all applicable areas of the Big Nine when assessing and treating clients/patients. The standards do not specify a particular number of hours in different categories. Programs may determine the number of hours they will require to ensure depth and breadth of knowledge within the areas outlined in Standards IV and V across the lifespan. State regulatory agencies/licensure boards may require a specific number of hours in different categories. Students must be aware of the various requirements so that they will be able to meet the standards of these various entities and subsequently apply for certification/licensure when warranted. 

Time and Attendance

Practicum I-III, On- Campus Clinic (Residential Students Only)

Clients are scheduled throughout the semester. Practicum requires a commitment of 5 days per week (M-F 8 AM to 7 PM). All students must adjust their personal schedule to meet the needs of practicum. No exceptions are made for outside commitments (e.g., babysitting/child care, tutoring, jobs, etc.). Time adjustments requested for reasons other than NYU academic classes or TA/RA assignments cannot be accommodated. Excused absences for illness, emergencies, and/or religious reasons only. For religious absences please notify the clinic a semester prior. Absences from clinic responsibilities for non-medical reasons are generally not permitted.

Clinical Immersions (Practicum I and II, Speech@NYU Students Only)

Students will travel to NYU’s Washington Square Campus in New York City for two 3–4-day in-person Clinical Immersion experiences to satisfy requirements for two courses (CSCD-GE 2111: Clinical Practicum I: Pre-Clinic; CSCD-GE 2115: Clinical Practicum II: Diagnostic Assessment).

Attendance for the full duration of each Clinical Immersion activity is required. Absence from all or part of the Clinical Immersion places a student at risk for not successfully completing the corresponding Practicum course which may result in delayed program completion. Housing, transportation and other expenses are the student’s responsibility. Some (but not all) meals and events  during the Clinical Immersion will be provided/subsidized by the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders.

Time & Attendance: Both Modalities

Field placements operate on the field placement’s schedule in general alignment with NYU CSD’s requirements.

• Students must adhere to the field placement’s work schedule, including holidays, start/end dates, weekends, and extended hours as assigned, not the NYU academic calendar.
• Field placement schedules are determined solely by the field placement supervisor and may begin before the academic term, extend beyond the university calendar, and include weekend assignments.
• Students must be fully available to meet the supervisor’s assigned schedule.
• Students observing religious holidays should review the University’s Religious Observances Policy and notify the CFPT as early as possible to avoid placement delays.

Field placements require consistent and consecutive attendance with no gaps during the semester.

• Consistent attendance is essential for clinical development and for establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Personal travel, breaks, and vacations are not allowed during field placements.
• The CFPT and the field placement supervisor do not accommodate personal schedules.
• Requests to accommodate personal schedules for later start dates, early end dates, reduced schedules, or multiple days off that are not formal accommodations through the Moses Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Culture will not be approved. Please see the Field Placement Accommodations section for further details.

Students unable to meet the above requirements at any point during the placement process and during the field placement experience may not be selected for a given placement, have delayed placement participation, a reduced accrual of required direct contact hours, and/or may be removed from their field placement and referred to their academic advisor for an alternate Plan of Study.

The following Time and Attendance requirements apply to all field placements (Practicum III, IV, and V)

• All field placements are a full term (12 to 15 weeks), at the discretion of the field placement or field placement supervisor. 
• Students are required to attend each field placement until the predetermined end date, regardless if the direct contact hours target has been met and/or surpassed before that date.
• Students are committed to the daily and weekly schedules as determined by the field placement and/or field placement supervisor, in alignment with the Practicum requirements outlined below. 

Students are required to meet the following based on their Practicum level 

Practicum III, Treatment: Speech@NYU:

• Schedule: 2 days per week for a full term, but never less than 12 weeks. Two weeks of observation are suggested.  Supervisors determine all schedules, including start and end dates.  
• Direct Contact Hours Target: ~75 direct contact hours

Practicum IV, Pediatric-Focused & Practicum V, Adult-Focused: 

• Schedule: 3-5 days per week for a full term, but never less than 12 weeks. A minimum of one week of observation is suggested.   
• Direct Contact Hours Target: ~150 direct contact hours

Field Placement Policies (Speech@NYU Practicum III-V; Residential Practicum IV-V)

Field Site Schedules

Scheduling & Placement Sequence

• Calendars: Field placements operate on their own schedules and do not follow the NYU academic calendar (see the Time & Attendance policy).
• Advanced Placements (IV & V): These are interchangeable, and neither is a prerequisite for the other.
• Placement Order: The CFPT determines the order in which you complete Field IV and V based on site availability and the matching factors mentioned above; students do not choose the sequence.

Clinical Setting & Population Requirements

To satisfy CSD Department requirements and ASHA certification standards, your clinical portfolio must reflect diversity in both population and supervision. Remaining in the same field placement for Practicums III-V is problematic from both the accreditation and certification perspectives. Remaining in one placement is a violation of 1.) the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology’s (CFCC) certification standards, which every applicant must meet without exception, and 2.) the Council on Academic Accreditation’s (CAA) standards, which all programs that educate SLPs in the US and its territories must adhere to.  These standards are the product of extensive practice analysis studies (publicly available) and subsequent widespread peer reviews. As such, they cannot be appealed at the departmental or university levels. 

1. Diverse Placements: You are required to complete a minimum of two distinct field placement experiences involving different field placement supervisors and/or client populations.  At least one field placement must be in a school-based setting.
   1.  Refer to the applicable standards related to the necessity for diverse clinical practicum experiences. Please note that the following are truncated. The standards are publicly available and may be reviewed in their entirety by clicking on the 2020 ASHA Certification Standards (please review Standards III, IV, and V).
2. Licensure Responsibility: While the program meets ASHA standards and New York State Licensing requirements, you are responsible for verifying specific state licensure requirements if you plan to practice outside of the current jurisdiction. Some states have unique mandates regarding hours or settings.

Liability Insurance & Malpractice Coverage

Professional liability (malpractice) insurance is mandatory for all clinical rotations to protect both the student and the field placement site. This coverage is a standard requirement of all university affiliation agreements.

• University Coverage: NYU provides professional liability insurance at no cost to the student for most mandated field placements.
• Enrollment Requirement: To be covered under the University’s policy, you must be concurrently enrolled in a Practicum and Field Placement Seminar course. You are not covered by the University during periods of non-enrollment.
• Supplemental Insurance: Certain field placements may require coverage limits that exceed NYU’s standard policy.
  • In these instances, students are responsible for purchasing the additional liability insurance independently.
  • Proof of purchase must be submitted to both the Field Placement Supervisor (or applicable party) and the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) prior to the start of the experience

Travel Liability 

NYU’s professional liability insurance does not cover students while traveling in a supervisor’s personal or company-owned vehicle. Students: 

• Are strongly discouraged from traveling in the same vehicle as their field placement supervisor.
• Must arrange independent transportation to and from all experiential learning sites, field placements, team meetings, and professional conferences.

Travel Expectations

Residential Student Travel Policy (Pracs IV and V)

Field placements are located throughout the five boroughs, Long Island, Upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Attempts to consider field placements based on a student’s location and travel means are made. However, it does not guarantee field placements to be near the student’s home, the NYU campus, or points in between. All travel to and from the field placement location(s), including but not limited to lodging, is at the student’s expense. The Department of CSD will not arrange out-of-state field placements for residential students outside of the aforementioned area.

Speech@NYU Student Travel Policy

Students are expected to maintain the flexibility necessary to accommodate field placements.

• Commute Radius: Students must be prepared to travel up to 75 miles from their preferred address to their assigned field placement.
• Placement Rejection: An approved placement within this 75-mile radius may not be rejected based on distance or commute time.
• Financial Responsibility: All costs associated with travel, including transportation, tolls, parking, and lodging, are the sole financial responsibility of the student.
• Relocation: While Placement Specialists aim to secure local field placements, if regional resources are insufficient, students may be required to relocate at their own expense to complete mandatory direct contact hours.

Relocation Policy

Notification and Documentation

If you plan to relocate during the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence, you must formally notify your Placement Team at least 14-weeks (one full term) prior to the start of the affected term.

Failure to adhere to this 14-week notification window or who move to an unauthorized geographic area (see below) may result in the inability to secure a field placement for the upcoming term in proximity to your desired location. Relocating while in the program does not guarantee immediate placement in the new region.

• If clinical resources are unavailable in your new location, you may be required to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) until a suitable field placement is secured.
• The department cannot guarantee a field placement for students who fail to provide the required 14-week notice. 

Geographic and Timing Constraints

1. Moves may only occur between placement terms. You are prohibited from relocating in the middle of an active field placement experience.  
   1. Any violation of this will be considered a self-termination. Please refer to the Withdrawal and Termination of a Field Placement policy in the departmental handbooks for additional details, including Plan of Study impacts. Students will not be replaced in the new location until the target term ends.
2. Authorized Jurisdictions: 
   1. Field placements are strictly limited to most of the continental United States and Hawaii. (Refer to the states that meet State licensure requirements on the NYU Steinhardt Professional Licensure website.)
   2. Placements are not available internationally, on U.S. military bases, or in U.S. territories. The Department of CSD does not maintain international affiliations, and direct contact hours earned outside the United States will not be recognized. 

Travel Expectations for Bilingual Extension Track (BET)

Students enrolled in the Bilingual Extension Track (BET) must meet specific state-mandated supervision requirements that may necessitate significant travel.

NYC Area Requirement: BET students are required to travel to the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area up to 5 days per week during one or more terms (Practicum III–V) in order to complete the required minimum of 50 bilingual direct contact hours under the supervision of a NYS licensed/certified bilingual SLP.

• If a student is unable or unwilling to commute to their NYC-area assigned field placement, this will impact their ability to meet the BET clinical requirements.  In this case, they will be referred to the Director of the Bilingual Extension for further discussion and determination of next steps. 

Bilingual Extension Track: Updating Address to NYC Area

Students enrolled in the Bilingual Extension Track (BET) who do not currently reside in the NYC area are required to provide their Placement Specialist with their preferred NYC area address no later than 14 weeks (one full term) prior to the start of Practicum III. Please refer to the ‘Moving During a Field Placement’ policy to familiarize yourself with this policy and learn more about the steps necessary to update your address.

Employment and Conflict of Interest Policy:

The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD), in accordance with NYU Steinhardt Leadership, strictly prohibits the placement of students at a field placement where they are currently employed.  You may not complete your field placement at any facility or organization while you are employed there in any capacity. Students may not be supervised by personal friends or family members, including spouses, domestic partners, or relatives, as this represents a conflict of interest. Students are encouraged to review ASHA’s Issues in Ethics: Conflicts of Professional Interest for further guidance.  All students are required to disclose any current or prior employment or personal relationships and any potential conflicts of interest to the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) prior to entering the Field Placement Sequence.  

Rationale for the Policy

This policy is enforced to preserve appropriate supervision, role clarity, and compliance with ethical and accreditation standards, ultimately to protect the integrity of the clinical learning experience and the validity of student performance evaluations. Allowing a student to serve as an employee and a clinician-in-training simultaneously creates significant risks, including:

• Blurred Professional Boundaries: Conflicts between employment duties and clinical learning objectives.
• Evaluation Bias: The potential for non-objective clinical assessments.
• Equity Issues: Inequities across field placement opportunities and expectations compared to the rest of the cohort.

Scope of Restriction

This conflict of interest policy applies to the entire corporate or administrative structure of the employer. Prohibited placements include, but are not limited to:

• Employment at a specific facility or any other location within a larger corporate network, hospital system, or school district.
• Employment under a parent company that oversees the prospective field placement.
• Concurrent roles as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) or any other staff position within the organization.

For a deeper understanding of the pedagogical and ethical rationale behind these restrictions, please refer to the SLPA Policy and the Paid Field Placement Policy.

Considerations for Field Placement at Place of Employment

In order for students to be placed at their place of employment, a student must:

1. Take a formal Leave of Absence (LOA) for the full duration of the clinical practicum period in which they are supervised as a graduate student clinician. Students may not receive any form of financial compensation from the site during this time, or provide evidence of their last day of employment
2. Submit official documentation to the CFPT verifying their employment status. Documentation must:
   1. Be issued on the facility’s official letterhead
   2. Clearly state the exact dates of the Leave of Absence or the official termination date
   3. Confirm that the student will not receive financial compensation during the practicum period

Field placements will not be approved until all required documentation has been received and reviewed. Final placement decisions are made by the Director of Field Placement Programs in consultation with MS Program Leadership.

Students should also review the Referral Policy for additional procedures and requirements.

Paid Field Placement Policy

In accordance with ASHA guidelines, approval of paid field placement opportunities in speech-language pathology is at the discretion of the individual academic program. The University and the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders consider payment for services provided by a student clinician a conflict of interest and therefore do not approve paid field placement opportunities.  A student’s employment or compensation status must not influence, or appear to influence, the objective supervision, evaluation, or assessment of the student as a graduate clinician. Students are encouraged to review ASHA’s Issues in Ethics: Conflicts of Professional Interest for additional guidance.

In limited some circumstances, student clinicians may be placed at a field placement site that offers a sponsored stipend or a grant-funded support. A stipend is defined as a fixed monetary allowance intended to assist with basic living or educational expenses during a training experience. Stipends are not considered wages, salaries, or employee compensation, as they are not payment for services rendered and do not establish an employment relationship with the field placement site.

All stipend or grant-supported field placement opportunities are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Approval is contingent upon full disclosure, submission of required documentation, a student-specific affiliation agreement, and formal review and authorization by the Department of CSD in consultation with the University’s legal team. No stipend or grant-supported placement may proceed without written approval from the program and NYU Steinhardt.

Ethical Standards in Clinical Learning

The ASHA Code of Ethics and numerous Issues in Ethics statements govern student participation in clinical learning. It is the responsibility of each student clinician to review these guidelines, particularly those regarding services provided by students. A fundamental requirement of clinical placement is maintaining the integrity of the profession and the safety of the public.

Delineation of Roles: Graduate Student vs. SLPA
The scope of practice for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is significantly more restricted than that of a Graduate Student Clinician. These roles must not be conflated.
For students currently employed as SLPAs, a clear and documented delineation must exist between their employment hours and their clinical practicum hours:

• Role Distinction: When acting as a graduate student, the individual is learning to perform duties—such as diagnostic evaluations and treatment plan development—that are strictly prohibited under an SLPA license.
• Licensure Risks: If a student performs "graduate-level" duties (e.g., assessments) while clocked in as an SLPA, they may be in violation of their state SLPA license. Furthermore, the supervising CCC-SLP risks their own professional license by allowing an assistant to work outside their legal scope of practice.

Supervision & Mentorship

Every graduate student clinician must be overseen by a Clinical Educator (Field Placement Supervisor). The program ensures that the nature of this supervision exceeds the requirements of SLPA oversight:

Teaching & Mentoring: Unlike the administrative supervision provided to an employee, clinical education focuses on the active teaching, mentoring, and rigorous evaluation of clinical reasoning.
Supervisory Responsibility: The Clinical Educator is responsible for the student’s professional growth and the clinical outcomes of the clients, maintaining a relationship rooted in pedagogy rather than mere workplace compliance

Interest Area Policy

The Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) is responsible for securing a field placement that meets program requirements. There are a variety of experiences that will assist in developing students’ clinical and professional competencies for the program, graduation, and future licensure and certification. Students’ field placements are not guaranteed to align with their area(s) of interest or future employment goals. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize their elective courses and outside conferences to explore their interests..

Visa and/or Special Status Policy

Students who hold a visa or special status are strongly encouraged to communicate the specifics of their status to the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) during Practicum II or the term before they are slated to enter their first field placement experience. Site-specific on-boarding restrictions, clearance policies, specific visas and/or statuses may prevent or limit field placement availability. Site-specific onboarding clearance policies, specific visas, and/or statuses may prevent or limit field placement availability. The CFPT will make every effort to identify a field placement that will accept your specific status.  Students are strongly encouraged to review the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Policy, connect with an advisor from the Office of Global Services (OGS), and connect with their Academic Advisor at the start of the program to learn about the specifics surrounding their status.  

Background Checks: Coverage

In accordance with applicable law and department guidelines, the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (“CSD”) at the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development will require CastleBranch background checks for all students enrolled in the MS degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders who will be participating in an NYU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic or other related on-campus initiatives, including immersions (hereinafter, “clinical training program”).

A student may not begin to participate in a clinical training program unless and until CSD has determined that the student has completed the background check by applicable law and department guidelines. Please take note that a criminal history does not automatically disqualify a student from participating in a clinical training program. CSD will conduct a full analysis consistent with applicable law before any final decision is made concerning participation in the program. If CSD determines that the student may not participate in the clinical training program based on the results of the background check, the student may not be eligible to satisfy the requirements for the MS degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders.

In accordance with applicable law, the results of the background check will be kept confidential and shall not be used, distributed, or disseminated to any persons other than those involved in making a decision about the student’s participation in the clinical training program.

Background Checks: Field Placements

Please be advised that students may be required to undergo a background check before participating in a field placement program with a non-NYU site. The scope and review of the background check will depend on the process and procedures of the non-NYU site. If the non-NYU site determines that the student may not participate in the placement, CSD will make every effort to help the student find an alternative placement. If an alternative placement is not possible, the student may not be eligible to satisfy the requirements for the MS degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders.

Background Checks: Licensing Requirements

Please also be advised that a criminal history may render a student ineligible to receive a state license or clinical certification. Students who are planning on working in the state of New York should address questions about licensing eligibility and background checks to the New York State Board of Regents’ Office of the Professions. Students who are planning on working in a state other than New York should direct questions about background checks to the licensing board of that particular state. Contacts for the licensing boards of each state, as well as applicable licensing laws and regulations, may be accessed through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) website. 

Rejecting a Field Placement

Securing a field placement is a significant commitment that involves building relationships with field placement affiliates over time. When a field placement supervisor agrees to host a student, they prioritize that student over candidates from other institutions and commit to their training for a set period using their facility's resources. 

Field placements are affiliated with numerous CSD programs across the country.  Due to the competitive nature of securing a field placement, field placement hosts are interested in students who can commit to their schedules, timelines, and other field placement-specific requirements.  

Once a student receives an interview notification, they are committed to completing the placement process which begins with the interview and ends with a confirmation of placement.

Students are strongly discouraged from rejecting a field placement for any reason.  Additionally, providing misinformation during interviews to avoid being selected is not permitted and violates the ASHA Code of Ethics. 

Impact of Rejecting a Field Placement:

1. It is unlikely that students who reject a field placement will be placed in that target term.  
   1. Fellow students who have not yet been assigned a field placement for the target term will be given priority.  
2. Referrals submitted after a rejection will only be processed after all fellow students have been placed. 
3. Students must have a field placement to remain enrolled in a Practicum Course. If a new field placement is not identified by the start of the term, the student must withdraw from their Practicum Course.
   1. A student's anticipated graduation will be impacted due to a delay in completing the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence. 
   2. Students will be held to the Practicum Delay/LOA Policy as outlined above. 
   3. Students who have rejected a fully vetted and approved field placement site are not eligible to participate in any supplemental department-sponsored clinical opportunities, as they are reserved for unplaced students who have yet to be offered any placement.
4. CFPT tracks field placement rejections and shares it with Department Leadership. 

Withdrawal and Termination of a Practicum III-V Field Placement Course/Site

Students who are terminated or self-terminate from Practicums III-V will receive an F in the course and be placed on Notice of Academic Concern. Students who are terminated and/or self-terminate are not permitted to withdraw (receive a W) without prior approval from the Director of Field Placements and/or Clinic Director (whichever is applicable). Decisions to permit withdrawal are made in conjunction with department leadership. If the student is notified that they will be receiving an “F,” a withdrawal will not be permitted to secure a “W,” even if the university withdrawal deadline has not yet passed. When a withdrawal request is denied, the student will receive an “F” on their transcript. Students wishing to contest the grade may follow the Grade Grievance process outlined in the student handbook; however, for Practicum courses, students must omit Step 1 (informal resolution) and proceed directly to Step 2 (filing a written appeal with the Department Chair).

Students will earn an “F” in their Practicum course and be placed on Notice of Academic Concern for any of the following:

• Formally self-terminating their off campus field placement and/or associated Practicum courseload, without prior approval from the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) or Clinic Director (Residential Prac III).
  • Students who abruptly self-terminate (i.e., stop attending their field placement prior to their committed end date or prior to the term ending, grade concerns, supervisor conflict, etc.) for any reason without CFPT consultation and approval must immediately alert and schedule a meeting for further discussion with CFPT.
• Terminated from their field placement or Practicum III On-Campus Clinic, or by the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) in conjunction with Department leadership, due to:
  • Failing to meet the clinical competencies set forth by the Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CFCC) despite implementing a Personal Support Plan (PSP)
  • Not meeting the requirements of their practicum due to unsatisfactory attendance and/or participation of the field placement
  • Engaging in behaviors that compromise client safety, well-being and care 
  • Refusal to adhere to field placement guidelines and agreed-upon protocols, and failure to respond when needed
  • Disorderly, disruptive, or antagonizing behavior that interferes with the safety, security, or health of the community
  • Negatively impacting field supervisor’s productivity

Students who are terminated or self-terminate will not be placed at another field placement for that term and cannot remain in the Practicum Course without a field placement. All direct contact hours earned at the field placement or on-campus clinic will not count towards graduation, and the student will be placed on Notice of Academic Concern.  Students will need to consult with the Academic Advising Team, as terminations may have additional financial and/or Plan of Study (POS) implications (i.e., class or term withdrawal, leave of absence, etc.) that will result in an extension of the student’s graduation timeline.

Two non-passing grades in Practicums III-V will lead to a recommendation for dismissal from the program.  Students who need to delay the Clinical Practicum and Field Placement Sequence for more than two terms may be at risk for discontinuation and should refer to the LOA/Practicum Delay Policy above.

Considerations for Extenuating Circumstances

The CFPT and On-Campus Clinic Team (whichever is applicable) will review extenuating circumstances on an individualized basis and may consult with relevant professionals (e.g., MS Department Leadership, Student Progress and Awards Committee (SPAC), relevant university resources (e.g., Student Affairs, Wellness Center, Moses Center), field placement supervisors, and the Academic Advising Team) to determine appropriate next steps.

Students who self-terminate prior to the end of the term due to an unexpected, extenuating medical, physical health concern, and/or personal circumstance that impacts their ability to remain in the field placement (i.e., Practicum Sequence III, IV, and/or V)  may be granted a Withdrawal or an Incomplete for that term.  The final grading outcome is based upon the student’s level of performance up to the point of self-termination (i.e., to be determined based upon attendance timeline and/or number of direct contact hours earned), the supervisor’s updated and/or final evaluation, and/or progress with a Practicum Success Plan (PSP), if applicable.  All direct contact hour approvals are determined by the field placement supervisor and based upon their assessment of the student’s clinical and professional practice competencies. These decisions are made in collaboration with the MS Department Leadership. 

Students expressing concerns about their mental or physical health are strongly encouraged to connect with the Wellness Center and the Moses Center for Student Accessibility and Inclusive Culture for potential accommodations as additional support. Field placements may require a medical note for unexpected medical concerns or absences. Students might be asked to complete an individualized Practicum Support Plan for their needs before re-enrolling in the Practicum Course. Additionally, students are encouraged to consult with the Academic Advising Team to discuss any academic, financial, and/or Plan of Study (POS) implications that might extend their graduation timeline. 

Students who are considering withdrawing from a Practicum Course or self-terminating from their field placement once the term has begun for any reason should be aware of the possible financial implications. They should discuss these implications with the Academic Advising Team before making any decision.  Full-time equivalency (FTE) cannot be maintained if a student does not participate in the Practicum Course and corresponding field placement through the 7th week of the term and/or does not have enough credits to continue on a full-time track during the term. 

Referral Policy

Students may not, secure their own field placement by: cold calling or soliciting field placement supervisors, potential field placements, and/or negotiating a placement start date and end date before a member of the Clinical Field Placement Team (CFPT) and/or Placement Specialist connects with the field placement.  

Although students are unable to secure their own field placements, they are given the opportunity to submit a referral for review. Students must abide by the field placement referral protocol and procedure as outlined in the student handbook.  Students who deviate from placement protocol and procedure may not be placed for that term; this is considered a violation of field placement policy. Referrals do not supersede already identified field placements.  It should be noted that it takes time to complete an affiliation agreement and the referred field placement site may not be available until after a student has begun or completed a practicum experience.  Referred field placements are not guaranteed and are subject to approval by the CFPT.

Field Placement Absence Policy

To maintain the integrity of the field placement experience and ensure that all students meet the Department of CSD’s and ASHA’s clinical requirements and standards, students must follow the absence and make-up policy of the field placement site and/or supervisor.  If the field placement does not have an absence policy, students will adhere to NYU CSD’s absence policy detailed below:

• Students must promptly notify their supervisor of any absence and its duration via the supervisor’s preferred contact method.
• It is suggested that students schedule appointments (medical or other) outside of their field placement obligations. 
• Field placement absences are only excused for personal illness, family bereavement, religious holidays, or pre-approved extenuating circumstances
• In rare instances, when students anticipate an unavoidable scheduling conflict (e.g., doctor’s appointments, field placement interview, etc.) that will impact their attendance at their field placement, the student must submit a written request to their immediate field placement supervisor.
• Students with Moses Center attendance accommodations should coordinate with their supervisor and the CFPT in advance to establish a plan for managing absences and making up missed time or assignments.
• The CFPT should be kept informed if there are any changes to the student’s expected end date.
• At the supervisor’s discretion, students are responsible for making up any missed days to ensure they fulfill the required field placement clinical learning expectations and direct contact hours. 

Impact of Excessive Absences 
Excessive absences may prevent you from meeting clinical competencies or successfully completing your placement. In these instances, a meeting with your supervisor and the CFPT is required to determine next steps, which may include:

• Developing a Practicum Success Plan (PSP).
• Extending the placement period.

Evaluations & Best Practices: Your communication and attendance habits directly influence your midterm and final CALIPSO evaluations. Supervisors will assess your professionalism based on timely notification and your adherence to agreed-upon make-up plans.

Support & Resources: Students experiencing difficulties that impact their attendance should seek support from the CFPT, Academic Advising, and/or the Moses Center. These resources can assist in creating strategies to manage and mitigate the impact of absences.

Summer Field Placements

Field placement schedules and availability are typically limited over the summer due to school closures, supervisor vacations, low patient census, frequent cancellations, etc. The Clinical Field Placement Team will make reasonable attempts to find field placements that can accommodate student field placement needs; however, direct contact hour accrual may be impacted and field placement timelines may be less than the standard of a minimum of 12 weeks in length. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss their hour needs with their supervisor(s), and exercise flexibility to maximize all clinical learning opportunities. This may include a supplemental field placement, if available. If assigned, students are required to participate in both their primary and supplemental field placements. 

Unexpected Endings

If a field placement supervisor ends early due to unforeseen circumstances, such as resignation, illness, or emergencies, the supervisor is not obligated to complete the term or provide an opportunity for any remaining direct contact hours. The CFPT, in consultation with the Academic Advising Team, will review these cases individually to determine an appropriate plan of action.

Policies Concerning Study Away Experience

Eligibility Requirements

1. All students interested in a study abroad experience must be in Good Academic Standing (3.0 GPA or above).
2. If returning from Leave of Absence, students must complete one full term before applying to study abroad.
3. Students currently in Practicum III, IV, or V or slated to enter Practicum III before or during the study abroad term studying abroad will not be eligible.

Notes on Plan of Study Considerations

1. Study abroad may increase program length.
2. Students in the Intensive Track are not eligible to participate in study abroad programs due to time and course load restraints.
3. Please discuss Plan of Study implications with your academic advisor.

Note on Overall Study Abroad Opportunities

Study Abroad opportunities are not guaranteed and may change semester to semester based on course availability and scheduling needs. While the department works to develop a consistent study abroad schedule, changes and/or cancellation of study abroad opportunities is possible. Lastly, students will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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.