Speech-Language Pathology MS Program

The new Gwynedd Mercy University MS Speech-Language Pathology program is housed within the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions. The program is a 2-year, full-time, 55-credit, graduate program that leads to a Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

The program is offered in a hybrid format with year 1 in-person & year 2 in hybrid format with academic courses online and externships in the location of the student’s choice. With this format, students enjoy personal attention in a caring environment during their first year as they acquire foundational knowledge and skills. Then, during their second year of study, with academic courses online, students can seek clinical externships in the location of their choosing.

Students will engage in clinical practica each semester throughout their two-year program including clinical simulations, interprofessional practice experiences, and in-person clinical practica. Students will gain hands-on externship experience starting in the first semester, and graduate with at least 375 hours of supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings including public and private schools, preschools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, extended care facilities, agencies, and private practices.

• Small class sizes that foster personalized attention as well as camaraderie among students
• Instruction from dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring faculty
• Faculty ready to mentor all students to help meet their professional aspirations
• Clinical externship sites in a variety of clinical settings and any geographic location in the US
• State-of-the-art clinical skills laboratory and simulation facilities
• A caring, top-quality interprofessional community including occupational therapy, nursing, education, and psychology

Taught by expert faculty who have worked clinically in school and/or medical settings. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional experiences, clinically-focused instruction, and cooperative learning.

The GMercyU SLP MS curriculum consists of 55-credits of academic and clinical coursework delivered in a hybrid format over 5 full-time semesters (Fall 1, Spring 1, Summer 1, Fall 2, & Spring 2). Year 1 is held in-person while Year 2 is held in a hybrid format. During the Fall semester of Year 2, students will complete a part-time clinical externship and online academic coursework. During the final Spring semester, students complete a full-time clinical externship with a capstone project. No coursework is taken during the final semester.

Curriculum: The following lists the academic and clinical courses of the SLP MS Program:

Year 1

Fall Semester- 14 credits (In-person)

 Spring Semester - 16 credits (In-person)

 Summer Semester - 7 credits (Hybrid: Online Courses; Off-Campus Clinical Practicum)

Year 2

Fall Semester - 12 credits (Hybrid: Online Courses; Off-Campus Clinical Practicum)

Spring Semester - 6 credits (No coursework; Off-Campus Clinical Practicum)

The following provides a detailed description of courses offered in the MSSLP program.

Year 1

Fall Semester - 14 credits (In-person)

SLP 600: Early Childhood Language Development & Disorders (0-5) - 3 credits
This course provides an advanced review of typical language development and focuses on language disorders in young children ages 0-5. Topics include receptive/expressive phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics. The course provides evidence-based practices for assessing and treating language disorders of a diverse early childhood population in variety of clinical settings.

SLP 605: Speech Sound Disorders in Children - 3 credits
This course focuses on speech sound production disorders in children. Topics include: typical speech sound acquisition, articulation, phonology, the relationships between speech sound disorders and literacy, cultural-linguistic variations in speech production, and characteristics of speech sound disorders across different clinical populations. Evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment are emphasized.

SLP 610: Aphasia & Related Disorders - 3 credits
This course focuses on the clinical management of aphasia in adult populations. It focuses on the nature and classification of aphasia, evidence-based assessment and intervention, and topics such as pathophysiology, epidemiology, prevention, treatment efficacy, prognosis, and quality of life for patients and their families.

SLP 615: Evidence-Based Practice in SLP- 1 credit
This course will focus on teaching students to become critical consumers of the research literature in order to guide effective clinical practice in speech-language pathology. Students will learn to source clinically-relevant research literature, utilize evidence-based clinical practice resources such as the ASHA practice portal, understand basic research methodology, and identify applications and limitations of research literature for clinical decision making. The course focuses on critical thinking, synthesis of information, and application of empirical evidence to clinical practice.

SLP 620: Seminar I: Clinical Methods & Practice in Speech-Language Pathology - 1 credit   
This course will cover concepts of clinical practice, including models of service delivery, clinical decision making, diagnostic methods and instruments/tools, goal and objective writing, fundamentals of clinical data collection and measurement, treatment planning, providing feedback and cuing, and professional clinical writing including treatment plans, SOAP notes, and diagnostic reports.

SLP 625: Clinical Practicum I  - 3 credits
This is an introductory graduate clinical practicum experience. Emphasis is placed on students displaying appropriate professional skills while developing and implementing assessment and/or intervention plans, creating a dynamic therapeutic environment, collaborating with clinical team members, and completing thorough documentation. Practica may take place on or off campus. Supervision is provided in accordance with ASHA requirements. 

Spring Semester - 16 credits (In-person)

SLP 630: School Age & Adolescent Language & Literacy Disorders - 3 credits
This course focuses on spoken and written language development, disorders, and differences in school-age children and adolescents. It emphasizes evidence-based language and literacy assessment and intervention for students struggling with spoken and written language. It includes topics related to clinical practice in school settings such as service delivery models, classroom management, IEPs, and interprofessional collaboration.

SLP 635: Dysphagia - 3 credits
This course provides a comprehensive review of normal swallow physiology and its related disorders across the lifespan. It reviews anatomy and physiology of normal and abnormal swallowing in adults and children and focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to the assessment and treatment of dysphagia including instrumental diagnostic techniques. It emphasizes clinical management of dysphagia with diverse patient populations and care settings.

SLP 640: Neurogenic Disorders of Speech - 3 credits
This course focuses on the clinical management of motor speech disorders in children and adults due to congenital or acquired etiologies, including degenerative diseases. The course emphasizes diagnosis and treatment of the dysarthrias and apraxia. 

SLP 645: Complex Communication Needs - 3 credits
This course provides a comprehensive review of evidence-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, assessment, and intervention. The course will focus on enhancing the communication and participation of children and adults who have complex communication needs (CCN) with an emphasis on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 SLP 650: Seminar II: Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology - 1 credit
This course focuses on counseling skills appropriate for practicing speech-language pathologists. The course emphasizes interpersonal communication and counseling skills as a means to improve trust, rapport, and clinical outcomes of clients and their family members in a wide range of clinical and educational environments.

 SLP 655: Clinical Practicum II - 3 credits
This is the second graduate clinical practicum experience. Emphasis is placed on students displaying appropriate professional skills while developing and implementing assessment and/or intervention plans, creating a dynamic therapeutic environment, collaborating with clinical team members, and completing thorough documentation. Practica may take place on or off campus. Supervision is provided in accordance with ASHA requirements. 

Summer Semester - 7 credits (Hybrid: Online Courses; Off-Campus Clinical Practicum)

SLP 700: Fluency Disorders - 2 credits
This course presents theoretical and empirical perspectives on fluency including the nature of stuttering; differentiation of normal vs. stuttered disfluencies; evidence-based approaches to assessment and intervention across age range, settings, and severity levels; familial considerations, counseling, and environmental modifications.

SLP 705: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Populations - 1 credit
This course focuses on cultural variations of speech, language, and communication. It examines cultural and linguistic biases, cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and cultural competence in SLP service delivery. It emphasizes assessment and treatment of communication disorders & differences in individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse groups including those who are bilingual, use English as a second language, or are d/Deaf or hard of hearing.

SLP 710: Seminar III – Contemporary Professional Issues & Inter-Professional Practice - 1 credit
This course provides an overview of professional practice in speech-language pathology for pre-professional speech-language pathology students. Contemporary topics include but are not limited to: ASHA practice policies and guidelines, professional accountability and ethics, fiduciary responsibility, inter-professional practice, trends in professional practice, and advanced topics in certification and licensure. Externship/student teaching & Clinical Fellowship standards, requirements, and expectations are also discussed.

SLP 715: Clinical Practicum III - 3 credits
This is the third graduate clinical practicum experience which may take place on or off campus. Emphasis is placed on students displaying appropriate professional skills while developing and implementing assessment and/or intervention plans, creating a dynamic therapeutic environment, collaborating with clinical team members, and completing thorough documentation. Supervision is provided in accordance with ASHA requirements. 

Year 2

Fall Semester - 12 credits (Hybrid: Online Courses; Off-Campus Clinical Practicum)

SLP 720: Cognitive Communication Disorders in Adults - 3 credits
This course focuses on evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of acquired cognitive communication disorders, including right hemisphere disorder, traumatic brain injury, normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. It will emphasize an interdisciplinary focus on the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of a variety of populations in a range of clinical settings.

SLP 725: Voice & Resonance Disorders - 3 credits
The course will cover the characteristics, etiology, assessment, and clinical management of voice and resonance disorders across the lifespan. The course will present techniques applicable to children and adults with disorders of voice, both functional and organic in origin, including individuals who use alaryngeal speech.

SLP Elective - 3 credits (choose one of the following 2 courses):

• SLP 730: Medical Speech-Language Pathology (SLP Elective) - 3 credits
  An interdisciplinary focus on professional SLP practice in medical settings. Topics include SLPs as members of interprofessional medical care teams, assessment and treatment of respiratory disorders/diseases that require the use of tracheostomy tubes and mechanical ventilation for adults and children, and clinical management of dysphagia.
  
  
• SLP 735: Language, Literacy, & Learning Disabilities (SLP Elective) - 3 credits
  This course addresses the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental language-based spoken and written language disabilities and differences across the lifespan. It covers assessment and treatment for language and literacy disorders for elementary and middle school students and adolescents and adults. Strategies for managing executive function and attention challenges that frequently co-occur with language disabilities are also discussed.

SLP 740: Advanced Clinical Practicum I – Off-Campus Externship - 3 credits (3-4 days/week)
Supervised off-campus practicum in a health care facility, school setting, or other clinical setting such as a private practice or early intervention setting. Supervision is provided within accordance of ASHA guidelines.

Spring Semester - 6 credits (Off-Campus Clinical Practicum with Capstone Project)

SLP 745: Advanced Clinical Practicum II - Off-Campus Externship with Capstone Project - 6 credits (5 days/week)
Supervised off-campus practicum in a health care facility, school setting, or other clinical setting such as a private practice or early intervention setting. Supervision is provided within accordance of ASHA guidelines.

Karen A. Fallon, PhD, CCC-SLP
Position: Professor and Director of the Speech-Language Pathology MS Program
Did You Know? Dr. Fallon’s clinical research focuses on supporting children and adolescents with language-based learning disabilities and she has disseminated her scholarly work at international, national, and state conferences and in multiple peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. 
Read bio

Alison N. Boyle, MS, CCC-SLP
Position: Professor of Practice and the Director of Clinical Education of the Speech-Language Pathology MS Program 
Did You Know? Ms. Boyle has been a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist for over 10 years and has expertise working in medical speech-language pathology with the adult population. 
Read bio

Yvonne D’Uva Howard, PhD, MS CCC-SLP
Position: Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology MS Program 
Did You Know? Before joining GMercyU, Dr. D’Uva Howard maintained a private SLP practice and contracted with rehabilitation agencies, early intervention, and K-12 schools in eastern Pennsylvania.
Read bio

Jennifer McIlvaine, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP
Position: Assistant Professor in the Speech-Language Pathology MS Program 
Did You Know? Dr. McIlvaine spent more than seven years as a speech-language pathologist specializing in assistive technology (AT) and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in a private practice setting.
Read bio

Information will be available in summer 2026. 

Students who wish to complete the Gwynedd Mercy MSSLP program and seek SLP certification must complete undergraduate prerequisites in two general categories.

1. Communication sciences and disorders (CSD)/speech-language pathology (SLP) coursework & observation hours
2. General Academic coursework required by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
   
   

CSD/SLP Prerequisite Coursework & Observation Hours

In order to be eligible to apply to the GMercyU MSSLP Program, students must complete CSD/SLP undergraduate coursework. Students can either earn a bachelor’s in CSD/SLP – OR – complete post-bachelor’s prerequisite coursework such as classes offered in an SLP prerequisite program, such as GMercyU's SLPP program.

Prerequisite CSD/SLP Coursework: Students who have not completed a bachelor's degree in CSD or SLP, must complete prerequisite coursework in the following course areas:

• Phonetics
• Speech & Hearing Science
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech, Language, & Swallowing
• Audiology
• Aural Rehabilitation
• Child Language Development
• Clinical Observation & Techniques

CSD/SLP Observation Hours: Prior to beginning the MSSLP program, all students must complete 25 hours of observation of Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology practice by an ASHA certified SLP or audiologist. Documentation of completed hours must be approved by a University representative or by Master Clinician Network and submitted to the Clinical Education Director of the MSSLP program by August 1st of the enrollment year. Students who complete Gwynedd Mercy’s Clinical Observation & Techniques course will earn their 25 observation hours as part of the course.

Students who need to complete prerequisite coursework can apply to the GMercyU Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisite (SLPP) program. The SLPP Program consists of 21 credits of undergraduate, upper-level speech-language pathology & audiology core coursework which can be completed in as few as three semesters.

Learn more about GMercyU's SLPP program here.

General Academic Coursework Required by ASHA

As part of the certification process, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association requires that all applicants for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) complete basic academic coursework in the following areas:

• biological sciences
• physics or chemistry
• social/behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology)
• statistics

All coursework must be satisfactorily completed at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited institution and must appear on the applicant’s undergraduate or graduate transcripts. Advanced placement (AP) courses that appear for credit on the applicant’s college/university transcript can satisfy this requirement. All coursework must be completed by the time the applicant begins their Clinical Fellowship (first professional employment position).

Each graduate program is responsible for determining which courses will be accepted in fulfillment of the requirements and whether coursework must be completed prior to enrolling in the graduate program or may be completed during the graduate program.

The MSSLP Program at Gwynedd Mercy University permits students to enroll in the MSSLP Program if they have completed at least 3 of the 4 required courses. All 4 required courses must be completed or in progress before students will be assigned to their final externship. Although students may enter the program missing up to 1 of the required courses, they are strongly encouraged to complete all general academic coursework before entering the graduate program.

For a detailed description of these requirements, please visit the ASHA webpage: http://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards/ 

Applicants to the MSSLP Program apply online using the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). To learn more about the CSDCAS application process and to create your CSDCAS account, please visit the CSDCAS portal.

Admission to the MSSLP Program is only available on a full-time basis. Earned baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite courses must all be completed by July 30th of the enrollment year.

Applicants must have a complete CSDCAS application.

Applicants are responsible for submitting timely transcripts to CSDCAS and confirming that all of the requested materials have been successfully submitted and received with CSDCAS. Applications will not be reviewed until they are both complete and verified.

GMercyU's MSSLP program participates in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS). The CSDCAS application for the Fall 2025 admissions cycle is open. Please apply using CSDCAS.

The MSSLP Program assumes the primary responsibility for the admission of its graduate students. The faculty review applications, conduct interviews, and offer admission to its selected applicants beginning in February for the start of the MSSLP Program in August.

The required materials due to CSDCAS include:

• Transcripts from all undergraduate coursework
• 2 letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references
• Personal Statement - Complete a personal statement following the directions on the CSDCAS GMercyU admissions webpage

Baccalaureate Degree: Applicants are required to successfully complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to the start of the MSSLP Program and should hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (based on a 4.00 scale). 

Interview: An interview is required for admission into the MSSLP program. The Admissions Committee will conduct a preliminary review of all complete applications. After this initial review, qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an admissions interview.

Graduate Record Examination: Gwynedd Mercy University does not require the GRE for admission into the MSSLP Program.

To enroll as a graduate-level international student at Gwynedd Mercy University, you need to:

• Have your transcript evaluated and have a course-by-course evaluation by either the World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators if you hold a bachelor's degree from an institution outside of the U.S.
• Score at least an 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL-IBT test.

Students may transfer up to six graduate credits that were taken at other accredited institutions prior to matriculation to be applied toward the MSSLP degree. The credits must have been taken within seven years of admission and a grade of B or better must have been earned. The official transcript for transfer of credit must be on file prior to acceptance of credits for transfer. All transfer of credits must be approved by the Director of the MSSLP program.