Speech-Language Pathology (MS)

Overview

D’Youville’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a qualified speech-language pathologist through challenging academic courses, interprofessional experiential education and diverse clinical practicums/internships. The program provides rich and diverse clinical opportunities in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas. Students complete the full-time 56-credit program in under 2 years within 5 consecutive semesters. 

Young woman points to the shape of her mouth while a young child watches

Our Mission:  

The D'Youville University Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program prepares future speech-language pathologists to provide evidence-based, inclusive services to persons with communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. With a commitment to academic excellence and interprofessional collaboration, the program offers innovative graduate academic and clinical education in a diverse urban community. Our program graduates service-minded leaders and professionals focused on improving the health and well-being of others. 

Questions? Contact us at SLPinfo@dyu.edu

Meet Our Faculty SLP Program Page Instagram Facebook

What You'll Gain

  • Valuable academic experiences that focus on speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.
  • Small class size with educational experiences designed to support your learning and challenge you to rapidly develop your skills.
  • Experiential education in the on-campus SLP Clinical Skills/Teaching Lab and Interprofessional Education and Simulation Center in the state-of-the-art Health Professions Hub.
  • Robust clinical experiences working with diverse clientele, focusing on evidence-based and ethical practice, that prepare you for entry level practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
  • The program will prepare you to apply for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and New York State Licensure.

Your Career Is Calling: Be a Speech-Language Pathologist (Joshuaa's Story)

Play video: Your Career Is Calling: Be a Speech-Language Pathologist (Joshuaa's Story)

Joshuaa Allison-Burbank, CCC-SLP, talks about the rewards he finds in his work as a speech-language pathologist. Joshuaa found a career that provides flexibility and allows him to give back, helping communities and individuals communicate.

Video produced by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

  • 18%
    10 Year Projected Employment Growth-US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • $89,290
    Median Annual Wage in May 2023-US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • #3
    Best Health Care Jobs in 2024-US News and World Report
  • In Person
    Small class sizes for more personal connections and networking

Why Choose D'Youville:

  • Our newly developed MS SLP program offers innovative academic and clinical education in a diverse urban community in the Buffalo and surrounding Western NY area. 
  • The unique interdisciplinary education and simulation center offers the opportunity for you to practice assessing and treating patients within simulated experiences. Students learn alongside other healthcare majors at DYU - all under the supervision of skilled instructors. 
  • D'Youville has partnerships with a wide variety of clinical placement sites within multidisciplinary settings. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse individuals with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan in medical and educational settings, starting in their first semester of the program. 
  • Serve the local community at the Health Professions Hub and other locations in Buffalo’s diverse West Side Community.  

 

Full Candidacy Statement

Woman sits at a child size table with young boy. She holds a card with a photo and is shaping her mouth to make an "L" sound.

Explore Courses in Speech-Language Pathology

Admissions Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

  • Completed CSDCAS Application 

  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to the start of coursework. 

  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 system). 

  • Prerequisite courses completed with a minimum grade of C. Courses can be in progress but must successfully be completed prior to the start of classes should acceptance be granted. 

  • Resume/CV 

  • Students who have attended a school outside of the U.S. or Canada must submit a WES course-by-course evaluation to CSDCAS. Canadian students submit transcripts from the college/universities attended to CSDCAS. 

  • English Language Proficiency - students whose first language is not English and who have not completed four-years of higher education from a U.S or Canadian college/university must submit an official TOFEL score report (minimum score of 90). 

DEADLINE

Completed and verified CSDCAS application by March 1st 2025 to be considered. 

OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS MATERIALS

  • Two letters of recommendation addressing leadership potential, ability to work with others and the ability to succeed in a professional academic setting. 

  • Personal statement. 

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Applicants to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better (courses must be 3-4 credit hours) prior to matriculation: 

  • Introduction to Communication Disorder - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Child Language Acquisition - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Phonetics/Phonological Development - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Speech Science - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Anatomy & Physiology of Speech and Hearing - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Introduction to Audiology - 3 credit hours minimum 

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) requires the following prerequisite courses for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) prior to completion of MS degree. More information can be found here. 

  • Biological Science (one course) - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Physical Sciences (Physics or Chemistry - one course) - 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Statistics (one course) – 3 credit hours minimum 

  • Social Sciences and Behavioral Science (one course) - 3 credit hours minimum 

QUESTIONS

Admissions Office:
716.829.7600 or toll free at 800.777.3921
or email at graduateadmissions@dyc.edu

        
Program Director:
Dr. Lorraine Book at bookl@dyc.edu 

Equitable Treatment

six students walking arm in arm in front of a mural. The mural reads: Always Love You!

The Speech-Language Pathology Program is committed to upholding D’Youville University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, which provides equality of opportunity to all persons in respect to employment and to admission of students. The program strives to create a diverse, inclusive community and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic predisposition, carrier status, or status as a victim of domestic violence.

Candidacy Statement

Candidacy Statement

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at D’Youville 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. 

Program Goals

Goal #1 Students will meet the requirements for the professional credential, Certificate of Clinical Competence of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Objectives:

80% of students successfully complete the program requirements within the published timeframe as averaged over the 3 most recently completed academic years.

80% of graduates successfully complete the PRAXIS exam as averaged over the 3 most recently completed academic years.

Goal #2 Students will demonstrate knowledge, skills and clinical competencies to provide safe and effective entry-level professional services in a variety of settings.

Objectives:

100% of students meet all learning outcomes in academic courses.

100% of students complete all clinical training components.

Goal #3 Students will integrate evidence-based, ethical, interprofessional, collaborative practice when providing care for persons with a diverse range of communication and swallowing disorders.

Objectives:

100% of students will participate in at least two of the D’Youville Interprofessional Education curriculum simulations

100% of students will successfully complete the Critically Appraised Topic research component.

Goal #4 Students will plan for and participate in leadership roles and service to the community.

Objectives:

100% of students will submit a continuing education learning plan.

100% of students will participate in a leadership training module.

100% of students will participate in at least one community service or leadership activity.

Student Achievement Data

Student Achievement Data will not be available until the first cohort graduates

Praxis Examination Results
Academic Year Number Taking Exam Number Who Passed Percentage Who Passed
2025-2026      
       
2026-2027      
2027-2028      
3-year Average      
Graduation/Program Completion Rates
Academic Year Number completing program in expected time Number completing program later than expected Number not completing program Percentage who completed
2025-2026        
2026-2027        
2027-2028        
3-year Average        

CAA Complaint Policy 
 

A complaint about the Speech-Language Pathology program at D’Youville University may be submitted by any individual(s).  If students have a complaint, the students are encouraged to follow the complaint procedure outlined in the MS SLP Student Handbook. 

Policy for Complaints about the Program

A complaint about the Speech-Language Pathology program at D’Youville University may be submitted by any individual(s).  The complaint procedure is detailed in the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) Accreditation Handbook (Chapter XIII). (Criteria for complaints and submission requirements can be found at https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/).  One of the submission requirements for a complaint is that the complainant follows all institutional grievance and review policies before filing a complaint to the CAA. Every possible attempt is made to resolve complaints and grievances within the Speech-Language Pathology program. Please refer to the Complaint Policy and Procedures in the MS SLP Student Handbook.  Student complaints regarding the program’s policies and procedures or unlawful conduct are maintained by the Program Director in a password protected electronic file for seven years.