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Speech-Language Pathology - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MS Program accredited?
The master of science program in speech-language pathology at La
Salle University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation
in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), 2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850-3289, 301-296-5700.
Will I receive teacher certification in Pennsylvania?
Speech-Language-Hearing Science graduate students can pursue Teacher
Certification for Speech and Language Impaired in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. La Salle University's Speech-Language-Hearing Science
Program has received approval for teacher certification for Speech
and Language Impaired from the Pennsylvania Department of Education
(PDE) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This Instructional I
certificate is needed to work as a Teacher of Speech and Language
Impaired in the various school systems in Pennsylvania. Any candidate
applying for an Instructional I certificate is required by Pennsylvania
State Board regulations to pass the appropriate sections of the
Praxis Series Tests: Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers,
administered by the Educational Testing Service. Information about
the Praxis Series Tests is available in the Program Director's office.
(St. Benilde 2201). Other states may also require prospective teachers
to take these or other examinations. In addition to all of the requirements
for completion of the Master's degree, candidates for Instructional
I certificates must be recommended by the Speech-Language-Hearing
Science Program Faculty. Recommendations are predicated upon successful
completion of all course requirements with the required Grade Point
Average (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.0
in SLHS courses). In addition to the SLHS course requirements, candidates
for Instructional I certificates must complete approved education
courses and an approved full time student teaching practicum (SLH
521).
| Which documents do I need to submit for an
application? |
| The complete admissions file consists of six documents: |
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Application itself |
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Official Transcript(s) of undergraduate studies
and graduate studies if applicable |
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Official score reports from the
GRE taken within the last five years |
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Two Letters of recommendation. At least one of
them must be from an academic source |
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Essay about career plans and qualifications for
the program |
Where will I do my clinical practicum?
In accord with ASHA certification requirements, the SLHS graduate
program offers clinical education at various practicum sites. As
part of La Salle's School of Nursing, the Speech-Language-Hearing
Science Program has established strong ties with more than 400 schools,
hospitals, private practices and rehabilitation facilities in the
greater Philadelphia area for supervised clinical practicum affiliations
including Abington Memorial Hospital, Moss Rehabilitation Hospital,
University of Pennsylvania Hospital System, Crozer-Chester Medical
Center, Holy Redeemer Hospital, Voorhees Pediatric Facility, Weisman
Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital,
Christiana Care Health System, AI Du Pont Hospital for Children,
and Frankford Health Systems. School-based clinical affiliations
have also been established with local school districts, intermediate
units (I.U.), and specialized schools throughout the Delaware Valley.
These include the Bucks County I.U., Montgomery County I.U., Delaware
County I.U., Colonial I.U., the Educational Services Unit of the
Burlington County Special Services School District, Gloucester County
Special Services School District, Gloucester City Public Schools,
Clarke of Pennsylvania Auditory/Oral Center, Upper Darby School
District, The Timothy School, Pathway School, and The Pennsylvania
School for the Deaf.
The Speech-Language Hearing Science Program opened the La Salle University Speech-Language-Hearing Community Clinic at St. Benilde Tower in Spring 2008. SLHS students have observational and clinical practicum opportunities at this site while receiving close supervision and instruction from La Salle University faculty members.
Can I apply online?
Yes. Click
here if you want to apply online now.
When may I be admitted to the program?
Students are admitted for the Fall term only which begins in late August. Applications must be completed by March 1.
Where are courses offered and when are they offered?
All courses are offered on the main campus of the University at
20th Street and Olney Avenue in Philadelphia on weekday late afternoons
and evenings. However, clinical practicum experiences at our affiliate
sites are during business hours.
How many credit hours are required to complete the program and
how long does it take to finish the program?
A minimum of 45 semester credit hours is required for completion
of the program. Students may have to complete more credits hours
to meet certification standards. Usually, this is accomplished in
two years, including the summer sessions.
What are the costs of the program?
Currently, the University charges $690 per credit hour for courses
in this program; thus, one course would cost $2,270. The University
adds an $85 general fee each semester.
What financial aid is available to me?
Students may apply to the program for graduate assistantships. Also,
the SLHS program has received funds from a private foundation to
fund partial tuition costs for M.S. Program students whose program
of studies will be specially designed to foster the knowledge and
skills required to serve the habilitation of deaf and hearing impaired
children via the auditory-oral method-- not usually part of the
typical speech-language pathologist's area of expertise. Students
may apply for both the graduate assistantships and the scholarship
opportunity.
Stafford Loans are available to graduate students who are either
US-citizens or permanent residents. Information on the loans may
be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at 215-951-1070. The University
also provides students with the option of deferred payment, so that
students may pay in installments over the course of the semester.
Information on this plan may be obtained from the Office of Student and Accounts Receivable
at 215-951-1055.
May I obtain further information on the program?
Yes. We will gladly mail an information packet to you that contains
application forms, course listings, and descriptive brochures.
Is it possible to transfer credits from another MS Program?
Students may transfer up to nine credits from another graduate speech-language
pathology program. A grade of "B" or better is required
in classes transferred and each request is evaluated on its own
merits.
What do I do if I have a complaint or concern?
Students can contact the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) directly with any complaints or concerns that they may have regarding the SLHS Program. To contact the CAA you can write to them at Accreditation Office at ASHA, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850; by calling ASHA’s Action Center at 800-498-2071; or by sending an e-mail to accreditation@asha.org.
Barbara Amster, Ph.D., CCC/SLP
Director
MS in Speech-Language Pathology Program
1900 West Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141 USA
Phone (215) 951-1986 Fax (215) 951-1896
e-mail: slh@lasalle.edu
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