Speech-Language Pathology Program Frequently Asked Questions

1. Speech-Language PathologyProgramFrequently Asked Questions

2. SLP Program Faculty and Staff JoAnne Cascia Ed.D. CCC-SLP Assistant Professor/ Program Director Patricia Remshifski Ph.D. CCC-SLP Assistant Professor Elisabeth Mlawski MS, CCC-SLP Assistant Professor Pamela Jones MA, CCC-SLP Director of Clinical Practice Tabitha Mischler SLP Office Secretary

3. Where is MU in the accreditation process? • Monmouth University has been awarded Candidacy Accreditation by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). • Candidacy Accreditation is awarded to new and developing programs for a period of up to 5 years. • Students will be eligible for state and national professional credentials.

4. What prerequisite classes are needed? • For graduate enrollment: • 6 classes – 3 credits/class • Introduction to Communication Disorders • Introduction to Language Development • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing • Introduction to Phonetics • Speech and Hearing Science • Neurological Bases of Communication • Total = 18 credits

5. Who needs to take the prerequisite courses? • Anyone who does NOT have a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology or Communication Sciences and Disorders • Anyone who has not taken pre-professional or prerequisite courses elsewhere

6. When will Monmouth offer the prerequisite courses? • Spring 2014 • All 6 courses will be offered hybrid • Summer 2014 • All 6 courses will be offered on-line

7. Do the prerequisite courses need to be completed prior to starting the Graduate Program? • Applicants for 2014- Prerequisites do not need to be completed prior, but any outstanding prerequisites will be added to the graduate course load • Applicants for 2015- YES • Accepted students for 2014 will be advised on an individual basis

8. What if I have a have a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology already? • No prerequisite classes needed

9. How many credits is the SLP Graduate Program? • 60 graduate credits of coursework • Up to 18 additional credits of prerequisite coursework • This is a full time program with at least 12 credits per semester • All courses are required

10. What will the coursework cover? • Required core content courses • Articulation and Phonology • Fluency • Disorders of Voice and Resonance • Dysphagia • Neurological Language Disorders & Aphasia • Pediatric Language Disorders • Motor Speech Disorders • Augmentative and Alternative Communication • Traumatic Brain Injury • Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders • Research Methods

11. What will the coursework cover? • Required clinical courses • Professional Issues in SLP • Clinical Methods in SLP • Assessment Procedures in SLP • Diagnostic Procedures in SLP • Required Practicum Experiences • Clinical Practicum I • Clinical Practicum II • External Clinical Practicum I • External Clinical Practicum II

12. How will students accumulate clinical hours? • ASHA requires 400 clinical hours • 25 observation hours • 375 direct client care hours at the graduate level • 2 in-house practicum experiences • 2 external practicum experiences

13. Where are the clinical placements? • Local hospitals • Skilled nursing facilities • Rehabilitation centers • Specialized schools • Early intervention facilities • Private practices • Public school districts

14. How long will it take to complete the SLP Graduate Program? • 2 years (6 semesters) with prerequisite classes completed • Summer, fall, spring, summer, fall, spring • Up to one year longer if prerequisite courses need to be added

15. What is involved in the application process? • Completion of the GREs • GREs not needed if applicant holds a Masters Degree or higher • GPA of 3.0 to apply • 2 letters of recommendation • Written essay • Video statement • contact Graduate Admissions if you do not have access to a computer with camera/video capabilities • A resume can be included as well and can be very helpful in highlighting candidate qualifications

16. Can I have a personal interview? • Due to the large number of applicants, personal interviews with everyone would be impossible • To maintain fairness to everyone, the video statement was created • Once you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions and a link to open the video statement • You will be able to view the question and prepare your response before recording • Once recording begins, you cannot stop and re-record • You will be given 2 minutes for your video statement

17. What if my GPA or GREs are low? • GPA- minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply • GREs- no minimum score • Higher GPA can compensate for lower GREs and higher GREs can compensate for low a GPA • Resume • Highlight achievements that make you stand out. For example: • Speaking a second language • Volunteer work • Awards • Prior work experience • Research • Take the prerequisite courses (if you need them) to include those transcripts

18. When is the deadline to apply for admission? • Application deadline for Monmouth University is February 1st, 2014

19. When will acceptance letters be sent out? • Acceptance letters will be sent out between March 15, 2014 and March 30, 2014.

20. What can you do now? • Take the GREs- required for application • Complete certification requirements for ASHA: • Statistics • Physical Sciences (chemistry/physics/ geology/ astronomy/ meteorology) • Biological Sciences (biology/anatomy/physiology/ ecology/ genetics/ botany/ nutrition/ zoology) • Behavioral/Social Sciences (psychology, sociology/anthropology) *not necessary for admission *can be completed anywhere *can be undergraduate or graduate level courses Please note… this is not a Monmouth requirement but rather a requirement that will be needed after graduation for ASHA certification (CCC-SLP)

21. For more information… • For additional information or questions about the application process, please contact: Graduate Admissions 732-571-3452 • For additional information or questions about the SLP program, please contact: SLP Program SLPinfo@monmouth.edu 732-263-5487