Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders
Why wait until next fall to start your educational journey? Saint Rose is one of the few programs that can accept you to start in January 2024!
Priority Application Deadline
Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. However, please note there is a priority deadline which you should submit your application by:
- Spring 2024 Start: October 31
- Fall 2024 Start: April 1
Choose Saint Rose for Your Master's Degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders
Be the difference in patients’ lives.
Saint Rose speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help others overcome communication and swallowing (also known as dysphagia) challenges of everyday life. Also known as “speech therapists,” SLPs work with clients of all ages – from infants with feeding difficulties, to those who have had traumatic-brain-injury or individuals who have aphasia from a stroke; from students with dyslexia, to business executives living with stuttering, to transgender individuals learning to modulate their tone and pitch.
If you want to help people better express themselves, understand others, or overcome problems with feeding and swallowing, you won’t find better professional preparation anywhere.
At Saint Rose, you receive rigorous, practical training that readies you to excel in any professional setting, with confidence in your capabilities and compassion for your clients.
Nationally Accredited Program
The residential Master of Science education program (M.S.Ed.) at The College of Saint Rose is accredited 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.The CSD program’s accreditation currently runs through July 31, 2025, and is approved by the New York State Education Department to license SLPs and certify teachers of students with speech and language disabilities.
Program Highlights
- State-of-the-art, on-campus Pauline K. Winkler Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.
- Cutting-edge theory with a strong client-centered, clinical focus.
- Small classes with a tightly knit cohort of dedicated students.
- Exceptional opportunities to collaborate one-on-one with supportive, expert faculty.
Saint Rose has many funding options that can make your education affordable:
Practical preparation
- 400 hours of required clinic work with diverse populations of both children and adults
- Frequent opportunities to do research, attend and present at professional conferences, such as the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) conference
- Placements at a diversity of settings, thanks to Saint Rose’s affiliation with more than 200 clinical and educational facilities, including private and public schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and retirement communities
Upon completion of clinical fellowship year, you are eligible for:
- ASHA certification
- NYS license
- NYS teacher certification
Student Experiences
Victoria Mackenzie ’19 and Emily Emerson ’19
Meet Tori and Emily, both MS.Ed. Communication Sciences & Disorders graduate students. Listen to what they have to say about the campus, our faculty, and their clinical experience here at The College of Saint Rose.
The Moving Message
This past September, the Saint Rose community came together for the Moving Message walk, which raises awareness about traumatic brain injuries and stroke and benefits those who need ongoing speech therapy and communication devices. Check out this video that looks back on the event.Saint Rose program helps Greene County artist bounce back from massive stroke
Traumatic brain injury and stroke services at the Pauline K. Winkler Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic: In 2011, fine artist Philip Howie lost the use of his dominant hand as well as his speech after experiencing a massive stroke. Since then, he has been coming to the clinic weekly to regain his speech and rehabilitate his hands – and continue making his art.What Our Students Say
Exceptional Faculty
Experienced, knowledgeable practitioners with a passion for teaching
Our CSD faculty combine cutting-edge theory with hands-on practice to provide you with a rich, fulfilling learning experience. While they’re experts in the field, they’re also approachable, sympathetic, and dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Check out our full faculty page to learn about each faculty member you’ll meet at Saint Rose.
Meet Our Faculty
Deirdre Muldoon, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCBA-D Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorder
Listen to Professors in Action
Fun With Food: A Positive Approach to Behavioral Feeding Disorders
Check out this episode of the Speechie Side Up podcast featuring Associate Professor Deirdre Muldoon, discussing behavior feeding difficulties.
Curriculum
Master’s Degree Program Overview
The field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is academically and personally challenging. The College of Saint Rose is dedicated to the development of future speech-language pathologists (speech therapists) who have the broad-based scientific and humanistic knowledge, professional expertise, clinical insight, and interactive competence needed to face the challenges of the field and to handle with sensitivity and compassion the difficulties experienced by exceptional individuals. It offers qualified clinicians the satisfaction of knowing that they have facilitated the growth of individuals who are working toward communicative competence. Students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program are encouraged to develop broad personal, academic and cultural interests consistent with the Conceptual Framework of the School of Education.
Academic Requirements
The academic program in Communication Sciences and Disorders requires a minimum of 56 credits. This is a combination of academic credit (46 credits) and clinic credits (10 credits). Prerequisite course work is required of students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and may be required of others, before they can begin graduate courses.
The graduate program, leading to the Master of Science in Education degree, is designed to satisfy the academic and clinical requirements for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) and New York State licensure.
Clinical Requirements
Graduate students in the Saint Rose Communication Sciences & Disorders program (speech therapy) complete a sequence of clinical practicum courses during which they work with both children and adults.
In addition to the on-campus clinic, the CSD program at Saint Rose program is affiliated with over 200 clinical and educational facilities, giving students the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of settings.
Students must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of clinic work, with 325 of these hours at the graduate level. Completion of a masters’ degree in this major fulfills ASHA’s academic and clinical requirements toward the certificate of clinical competence.
Clinical Disorder Areas (ASHA, 2005)
Students must accrue hours in ALL disorder areas across the lifespan in prevention, evaluation and treatment.
- Articulation
- Fluency
- Voice and Resonance
- Receptive and Expressive Language
- Hearing
- Cognitive Aspects of Communication
- Social Aspects of Communication
- Communication Modalities
Career Outlook for Speech-Language Pathologists
An Emphasis on Professional success.
Located in the heart of New York’s Capital District, Saint Rose is minutes away from numerous research and teaching hospitals, healthcare facilities, and private and public schools, and offers a wealth of educational and practice opportunities for speech therapy students, both on and off campus. To the community, the department of Communication Sciences & Disorders is well known as a reliable source of excellent SLP talent, as well as a mecca of helpful SLP and swallowing advice and services:
Contact Us Now
Of course, if you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.
Dr. Jack Pickering & Dr. Dave Debonis
Department Chairs
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
School of Education
1009 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
