Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Program Overview

Brooklyn College’s highly regarded program for the Master of Science in speech-language pathology is offered through the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders. Academic, clinical, and research opportunities covering the range of disorders that occur throughout the lifespan are provided in state-of-the-art classrooms, clinical suites, and laboratories.

Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Where You'll Go

This degree prepares students for careers as speech-language pathologists in community speech, language, and hearing centers; hospitals; school systems; rehabilitative agencies; and private practices.

Program Details

The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2023–24 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.

Program Description

This Master of Science degree program prepares students for careers as speech-language pathologists in community speech, language, and hearing centers, hospitals, school settings, rehabilitative agencies, and private practice. Academic, clinical, and research opportunities covering the range of disorders that occur throughout the lifespan are provided in state-of-the-art classrooms, clinical suites, and laboratories.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must offer at least 24 credits in speech-language pathology and audiology with grade point average of 3.00 or higher. The credits must include courses as follows: acoustics of speech, language and hearing, anatomy and physiology of the speech, language and hearing mechanism, speech and language acquisition, audiology, phonetics, nature of speech and language disorders, and statistics. General matriculation and admission requirements of Graduate Studies are in the section “Admission.”

Program Requirements (59–78 Credits)

There are two options within the master’s program in speech-language pathology. Students entering the program can complete the master’s degree in speech-language pathology, Option A (see below), or the master’s degree in speech-language pathology with a specialization in early intervention, Option B (see below).

Students who earn a grade of B- or C+ in any course shall be required to complete a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). If the student fails to satisfactorily complete the PIP on or before the date assigned by the instructor, the student will be required to re-take the course. If the student earns a grade of B- or below upon retaking the course, the student will be dismissed from the program. Students are allowed a maximum of two PIPs. Students who earn two grades of C or below will be dismissed from the program.

Option A: Master’s Degree (59–71 Credits)

Fifty-nine to 71 credits are required for the degree.

Students must pass a departmental comprehensive examination and must take and report their scores on the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology. Information about requirements for the comprehensive examination is in the section “Academic Regulations and Procedures.” Courses in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders offered toward the degree must be 7000-level courses. The program of study must be approved by an adviser in the student’s major area of concentration. Students must also complete requirements in communication, arts, sciences, and disorders as follows: Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders 7107X, 7128X, 7211X, 7313X, 7321X, 7323X, 7325X, 7326X, 7327X, 7331X, 7333X, 7336X, 7337X, and U7441X; and not more than 11 credits in clinical practicum, for a minimum of 400 clock hours. A maximum 11 credits in courses in clinical practicum (Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders 7395X, 7396X, 7397X, 7398X, 7399X and 7691X), and/or 14 credits with special problems (Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders 7296X), and courses taken on a tutorial basis may be counted toward the degree. The remaining credits required for the degree must be chosen in consultation with an adviser in the major area of concentration. Courses in speech, language, and hearing science may be incorporated on an elective basis.

Option B: Master’s Degree With a Specialization in Early Intervention (66–78 Credits)

Sixty-six to 78 credits are required for the master’s degree in speech-language pathology with a specialization in early intervention.

Completion of a master’s degree in speech-language pathology with additional required coursework in the early intervention specialization. Year 1: ECAE 7675T, CASD 7442X; Year 2:, CASD 7443X, 7445X, 7446X. In order to qualify for the specialization in early intervention, students are required to complete an application and an interview once accepted into the master’s program. The program of study must be approved by the deputy chairperson.

Certification of Clinical Competency

Only students who complete the degree requirements, including the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology, are eligible for certification of clinical competency by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Those students who intend to apply for New York State teacher certification as “Teachers of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD),” must present course work as described in option (b) or (c) of the matriculation requirements for the M.S. in education, teacher of students with speech and language disabilities, or must complete an additional three graduate credits in the School of Education as follows: SEED 7500X.

Additionally, those students must complete: Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders 7551X and CBSE 7672T and 7677T. In order to be eligible for teacher certification, students must also pass exams and complete workshops as stipulated by the New York State Department of Education.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Demonstrate evidence-based knowledge and clinical education skills culminating in the M.S. in speech-language pathology; meet the current professional standards for clinical certification and NYS licensure.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders across the lifespan.
  • Identify the precipitating and maintaining factors related to a range of speech, language, communication, hearing, and swallowing disorders.
  • Engage in a variety of clinical practicum experiences to meet the needs of a diverse community, state, and nation in a variety of settings across the life span.
  • Demonstrate scientific and scholarly inquiry in the processes of human communication and related disorders of speech, language, swallowing, cognition, and hearing; develop a greater understanding of current research-based assessment and intervention procedures and principles in the field of in speech-language pathology.

Admissions Requirements

  • Fall Application Deadline: February 1
  • Spring Application Deadline: The program does not accept applications for spring.

The Speech-Language Pathology M.S. program does not accept nondegree applications.

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
  • Two letters of recommendation, one must be academic, attesting to the applicant’s capacity to successfully complete graduate study. Letters from professionals who the applicant has observed or shadowed will not be accepted. Recommendations should not be dated more than 18 months prior to the date of the application deadline.
  • Statement of Purpose addressing your interest in the program, discipline, and future goals. Consider personal experiences that lead you to the profession of speech-language pathology and/or your qualifications for graduate study in this field. Two-page maximum, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 11- or 12-point font.
  • Résumé, including employment history, professional background and skills, volunteerism, extra-curricular activities (maximum two pages)
  • Supplemental Admissions Form (PDF)

Applicants must have completed at least five pre-requisite courses prior to applying. Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview. All six required pre-requisite courses and all ASHA course work must be completed prior to admitting fall.

Required Tests

  • GRE required.
  • F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Additional Information

Brooklyn College’s highly regarded program for the Master of Science in speech-language pathology is offered through the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders, and prepares students for careers as speech-language pathologists in community speech, language and hearing centers; hospitals; school systems; rehabilitative agencies; and private practices.

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Brooklyn College is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800.498.2071 or 301.296.5700.

Graduates are eligible to apply for New York State licensure and ASHA certification in speech-language pathology. Students who complete additional required courses in education and clinical practicum in educational settings are also eligible to apply for certification as teachers of students with speech and language disabilities (TSSLD) by the New York State Education Department.

The program provides students with opportunities for intensive academic study of communication sciences and therapeutic methodologies. A wide range of professional and educational service agencies, on and off the campus, serve as clinical practicum sites. Through course work and practicum assignments each student is able to develop a sound conceptual framework in the field of communication sciences and disorders.

Requirements for a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology include successful completion of 59 to 71 credits and 400 hours of clinical practicum. Students have the opportunity to take course work leading to the NYS Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certificate. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00 and pass the comprehensive examination to graduate.

Mission Statement

The program in speech-language pathology is designed to engage students from diverse backgrounds in scientific and scholarly inquiry in the processes of human communication and related disorders of speech, language, and hearing. The program is committed to providing students with the most current research-based academic and clinical education, and to stimulate ongoing pursuit of knowledge and skills in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders. As an academic and clinical discipline, the program seeks to maintain the highest professional standards of research, teaching, and service delivery, and to promote free exchange of ideas, ethical decision-making, and the sense of personal and social responsibility.

As part of the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders, we endeavor to train our students to be exemplary communicators, to understand the foundations of human communication, to recognize disorder, and to distinguish disorder from difference. Our mission includes service to the college and community through research which expands the horizons of our knowledge, which enables communication to succeed when it is impaired or ineffective, and which ennobles human discourse.

Long-Term Strategic Plan (2022–25)

  • Goal 1: Fulfill each of the standards of accreditation of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA).
  • Goal 2: Encourage curricular innovations in both didactic and clinical coursework to expand student knowledge and skills consistent with the program mission and best practices in communication sciences and disorders.
  • Goal 3: Promote diversity and a culture of inclusion; recruit a diverse body of high-quality students and support the development of clinicians and researchers who are culturally competent, so they may serve the field of communication sciences and disorders.
  • Goal 4: Expand commitment to serve the community and college needs while maintaining a commitment to ethical and equitable conduct and evidence-based practice.
  • Goal 5: Identify opportunities to expand financial support through public and private funding to support various academic and clinical training initiatives and, faculty and student research endeavors.

Contact

Sharon Beaumont-Bowman

4400 Boylan Hall
E: sharonb@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5186

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool

Internships and Employers

Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the speech-language pathology M.S. program access to internships at a variety of companies.

Brooklyn College speech-language pathology alumni have found employment with many organizations, including:

  • Columbia University
  • New York Center for Infants and Toddlers, Inc.
  • New York City Department of Education

Learn More

Brooklyn. All in.

Brooklyn. All in.