Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology

Back to TopAdmissions Process

All candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates are vetted by the admissions committee. Conditional admission can be granted, and candidates meeting marginally low admission criteria can be considered by the committee.

Matriculated Student: Each Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology applicant must submit evidence of the following to the Brescia University Admissions Office:

1. Completion of an online application. Fall 2023 priority deadline is February 15, 2023
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution showing the completion of a Communication Science and Disorders (CSD) undergraduate degree with grades of A or B in all major courses listed under CSD prerequisite courses or a non-CSD bachelor’s degree with grades of A or B in the following CSD prerequisite courses: phonetics; speech science; audiology; language development; CSD Anatomy and Physiology; CSD Neuroanatomy or CSD Neurology; and an introduction to CSD course (or other relevant CSD course). Non-CSD prerequisite courses that must be completed prior to program entry include: statistics; chemistry or physics; biology; and social/behavioral sciences. A grade of A or B is strongly recommended in the non-CSD prerequisites.
3. GPA of 3.0 or above.
4. Two letters of recommendations.
   1. Letters should be provided by instructors who are familiar with the applicant.
   2. A third letter is recommended but optional (unless requested by the admissions committee).
5. Typed personal statement (3-4 pages), addressing the student’s:
   1. Ability to use distance learning technology;
   2. Motivations for applying to the program and career goals;
   3. Examples of when the student sought out supervision or consultation to resolve a difficult situation;
   4. Intentions for how to manage time in this rigorous program, which includes a practicum at least two days a week.
6. An academic writing sample.
7. Students for whom English is a second language must meet the minimum acceptable score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 79 on the iBT TOEFL.

Applicants are selected based upon score, evaluation criteria, and availability of space. A third recommendation letter can be requested as determined by the SLP admissions committee. Personal interviews of candidates may be conducted as determined by the SLP admissions committee. These interviews are conducted through virtual technology to further rate students (if needed) based on oral communication skills and content of answers.

Baccalaureate Graduates of Brescia University:  Graduates of Brescia University’s undergraduate CSD program are eligible to receive preferential acceptance.  Students who have earned all A’s and B’s in courses within the major (with no course retakes to earn the A or B), have earned all A’s in their two clinical practicum courses (externship I and II), and have a minimum GPA of 3.00 or higher may be automatically admitted into the Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology  Program and do not have to submit recommendation letters, personal statements, writing samples, or conduct an interview.  The following conditions apply:

• The student completes an online application by the designated deadline;
• The student applies for acceptance to the first cohort following conferral of their bachelor degree from Brescia University;
• There is space available in the program.

If the number of students who qualify for automatic admission exceeds the available space in the program, students will be accepted on the basis of ranked GPA.  For example, students with a GPA of 4.0 will be admitted first, 3.99 next, and so on.  Brescia University students who do not meet the requirements for automatic admission can still apply but will be required to submit the complete application package.

Back to TopPrerequisites

Applicants who hold a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) undergraduate degree from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association must have grades of A or B in all CSD prerequisite courses listed below. Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a different field, must have the following CSD prerequisites courses completed with an A or B grade.  A grade of A or B is strongly recommended in the non-CSD prerequisite courses. Definitions of these non-CSD prerequisite courses can be found at the following link: https://www.asha.org/Certification/Course-Content-Areas-for-SLP-Standards/.

Undergraduate level prerequisites include:

• Prerequisite courses in CSD: (grade of A or B required)
  • CSD course in Phonetics
  • CSD course in Speech and Hearing Science
  • CSD course in Audiology
  • CSD course in Language Development
  • CSD course in Anatomy and Physiology
  • CSD course in Neuroanatomy or Neurology
  • CSD introductory course (or other relevant CSD course)

  Prerequisite courses that are non-CSD courses: (grade of A or B is strongly recommended)

  • Statistics
  • Chemistry or Physics
  • Biology
  • Social/Behavioral Sciences

  Definitions of these non-CSD prerequisite courses can be found on the following website: https://www.asha.org/Certification/Course-Content-Areas-for-SLP-Standards/.

• Brescia University offers Communication Sciences and Disorders prerequisite courses online for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields. Students can become eligible to apply for the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology in as little as one year. Learn more at: Pre-SLP

Back to TopProgram Structure

All Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology classes are taught online and are fifteen weeks long.

Classes meet weekly in real-time to provide maximum support and instruction to students. Students participate in a dynamic learning community and develop professional relationships that endure even after graduation.

The ASHA Code of Ethics can be found at: https://inte.asha.org/Code-of-Ethics/ 

Back to TopAccreditation

Brescia University’s Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to prepare students for the growing field of speech and communication disorders and to train speech-pathologists to provide a full range of communicative services.The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology {distance education} at Brescia University is a Candidate for Accreditation 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, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

Students and stakeholders can submit complaints to the program’s accrediting body, the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Criteria and submission requirements for complaints against programs and the CAA can be found at the following link: https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/

Back to TopStudent Achievement Outcome Data

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Back to TopLicensure Information

State requirements and contact information can be found at https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/.

Back to TopCredentialing Information

Credentialing information for the Certificate of Clinical Competence can be found at https://www.asha.org/certification/.

Back to TopStrategic Plan

Strategic Plan

Fall 2022 Strategic Plan Report