Communication Disorders and Sciences Department

Deborah Sharp, chair
Professional Studies Building, Room 2201
607-756-5423
Fax: 607-753-5940
Email: A dministrative Assistant
cortland.edu/spchpath

School of Professional Studies

Faculty

Jamie Barney, Ann Blanton, Mary Emm, Eileen Gilroy, Rachel King, Nimisha Muttiah, Amanda Olson, Denise Finneran, Michael Pitcher, Deana Silvernail, Deborah Sharp, Irena Vincent

Adjunct Faculty

For a listing of adjunct faculty see the Faculty and Administration section.

Degrees

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Description

Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders is a program intended for students who have a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. It requires a minimum of 58 credit hours of approved graduate work, including clinical experience. Graduates will be prepared to qualify for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), New York State Licensure as a Speech-Language Pathologist, and New York state teacher certification for teachers of speech and language disabilities.

Accreditation Status

The Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders education program in speech-language pathology has been placed on probation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. A program on probation is not currently in full compliance with the accreditation standards. Programs on probation remain accredited but must demonstrate compliance with the standards within one year.

For more information, please see the CAA Report:

https://apps.asha.org/eweb/ashadynamicpage.aspx?site=ashacms&webcode=caalisting&caacat=recent

See our decision letter linked from the CAA site

Our only area of noncompliance was found in what CAA terms on-time completion. We as a department stood by our students. When they did not meet the required academic knowledge or clinical skill benchmarks for completion, we did not dismiss them from the program; instead, we delayed their graduation date and supported them through that delay with additional guidance and training so that they could fully complete their studies. As the students were delayed and did not meet the published timeline, our program was cited.

We believe in our program and in the quality of our student clinicians and are on the pathway toward full compliance. We continually evaluate the quality of our program and are actively engaging with the CAA to ensure that we meet this goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the M.S. program at SUNY Cortland qualify graduate students for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence?

Yes, it does. All graduate students who complete the M.S. program, the clinical fellowship and the Praxis are eligible for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Special Features

Speech-language pathologist in the schools
Speech-language pathologist in a medical setting
Speech-language pathologist in a free standing clinic
Speech-language pathologist in private practice

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a graduate degree program as stated in this catalog, the applicant for enrollment in the program leading to an M.S. degree in communication sciences and disorders should present the following:

Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree in any area with prerequisite coursework.
Overall and major undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 both cumulatively and in the major. Entry into speech-language pathology master’s programs is very competitive, with more eligible applicants than can be accommodated. Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
Three letters of reference. Two must be from academic or clinical professors/instructors in the major.
A typewritten statement of 250 words or less, demonstrating commitment to, and interest in the profession of speech-language pathology. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to write clearly and well.

Additional Requirements

Candidates for the degree must meet any additional undergraduate and graduate requirements for the award of the degree established by the department. The student, in consultation with the department’s chair (or the chair’s designee), must ascertain such additional requirements.

Programs

Communication Sciences and Disorders [CSD] M.S.