Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.)
Bloomsburg University's Speech-Language Pathology master's program prepares students for clinical practice with a variety of communication disorders and in a variety of clinical settings. The program provides students with wide-ranging academic experience in all areas of speech-language pathology.
Students will also gain valuable clinical experience both in our in-house clinic and culminating with a full semester of externship practicum in a clinic, hospital and/or school setting. In addition, a Master’s Thesis option is available for those students with specialized research interests.
For over 25 years, the M.S. program has maintained full accreditation by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, meeting all standards established for graduate programs in speech-language pathology. We are pleased to state that our program was again approved following our most recent annual report and remains fully accredited through 2020, our next scheduled accreditation visit.
The graduate speech-language pathology program provides a comprehensive curriculum that prepares the graduate for work in a wide variety of professional settings. In addition to courses typically offered, BU has separate courses in augmentative communication, aphasia, cognitive based language disorders, both a preschool and school-age language course, and swallowing disorders. The study of speech disorders is covered via coursework in articulation, craniofacial disorders, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders.
The study of swallowing disorders is provided via two courses (one focusing on the anatomy and physiology of normal and disordered swallowing; the second course discusses a wide array of evaluation and management methods). In addition, the Clinical Instrumentation in Speech Pathology course provides students with valuable “hands-on” experience with videostroboscopy, nasometry, and other speech assessment methods that coincide with coursework in Voice Disorders, Craniofacial Disorders, and Motor Speech Disorders.
Graduates of the master's degree program in speech pathology are eligible for certification in Teaching Speech to Language-Impaired Students granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology issued by the Council for Clinical Certification of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure in speech pathology issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Speech, Language and Hearing. Over the past seven years, 100 percent of the graduates have passed the National Examination in Speech Pathology and Audiology.
M.S. Program Coordinator
Shelley Scarpino, Ph.D. | sscarpin@bloomu.edu
326 Centennial Hall
570-389-4443
Fax: 570-389-2035
Speech-Language Pathology Program Admission
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements for the School of Graduate Studies, applicants for the master's degree program in speech pathology must meet the following requirements.
- Applicants are required to submit a one-page, typed letter detailing their professional background, experience and rationale for wanting to be admitted to the program in speech pathology.
- Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation ALONG WITH the SLP Recommendation Form, from references who have knowledge of their academic and/or clinical background. This information must include the name, address, position and telephone number of each reference.
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in communication disorders and a minimum QPA of 3.0. Applicants must provide up-to-date transcripts. If a student is still completing undergraduate course work, they must indicate (a) the name/titles of the courses being completed, and (b) the expected date of completion. Applicants whose major is in an area other than communication disorders will be required to satisfactorily complete certain academic and practicum deficiencies. These will be prescribed by faculty following analysis of the individual's transcript.
Deadline of all application materials is Feb. 1 of the year that you plan to begin the graduate program. Applications are only accepted for fall semester enrollment.
Speech Pathology (M.S.) Student Achievement Data
Graduate students must maintain a QPA of 3.0 with no more than one grade lower than a B- throughout the graduate speech-language pathology program. If a grade lower than a B- is earned in the final clinic course prior to externship (AUDSLP 576), the course must be repeated with a grade of B or higher prior to enrolling in a field experience. If a grade lower than a B- is earned in a field experience (AUDSLP 584 or AUDSLP 586), the course must be repeated. To progress in the graduate program, students must maintain an adequate academic standing and adhere to the department suitability clause.
The graduate program consists of a minimum of 55 semester hours with most courses being required. A master's thesis option (6 credits) is available and may be completed as part of the minimum 55 credit requirement. Clinical experience is considered necessary and inseparable from the existing course sequence. It becomes an important step in the development of a competent clinician, linking theory with clinical experience, and preparing for certification and eventual employment in the field.
Program Completion Rate
| Period | Number completing on time | Number completing later than on time | Number not completing | Percentage completing |
| 2018-19 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2017-18 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2016-17 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Three year average | 100% |
Employment Rate
| Academic Year | Number of graduates employed | Number of graduates not employed | Percent of graduates (%) |
| 1 Yr. Prior - 2017-18 | 27 | 1 | 96% |
| 2 Yrs. Prior - 2016-17 | 28 | 0 | 100% |
| 3 Yrs. Prior - 2015-16 | 28 | 0 | 100% |
| Three year average | 98.91% |
PRAXIS Pass Rate
| Period | Number of test-takers taking the exam | Number of test-takers passed | Pass rate (%) |
| 2018-19 | 16 | 16 | 100% |
| 2017-18 | 22 | 21 | 95.45% |
| 2016-17 | 26 | 26 | 100% |
| Three year average | 98.44% |
The master's education program in speech-language pathology at Bloomsburg University 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, Md. 20850, 1-800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
CAA Accreditation
The master's degree (M.S.) education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Bloomsburg University is fully 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. Any concerns specific to the program's accreditation status should first be addressed to the program and BU, and then to the CAA.
Out-of-State Licensure and Certification
Bloomsburg University is approved to offer programs that lead to certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure in Pennsylvania. BU’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to prepare you for the national exam required for certification and leads to eligibility for speech-language pathology licensure in PA.
BU cannot confirm this program meets the requirements for licensure in other states. Other states’ requirements may be viewed at the www.asha.org. Because requirements differ by state, applicants should verify requirements for their state(s) of interest prior to applying to this program. Note that state requirements are subject to change at any time and without notice. Please visit intranet.bloomu.edu/state-authorization and www.asha.org for details.