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Master's in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
Lead in personalized client care
Begin Your Journey Take the Next Step
Earn your MS in speech-language pathology (SLP) from a program that prepares you with the hands-on, clinical experience you need to make an impact on the lives of your clients.
The Master of Science in speech-language pathology degree will prepare you with the knowledge and clinical skills to prevent, assess, and treat all aspects of human communication and swallowing disorders.
At Sacred Heart University, you will gain hands-on internship experience starting in your first semester. With applied learning embedded throughout the program, you'll graduate with at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum working with clients across the lifespan in settings such as schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
Taught by our professors, all of whom have worked clinically in school or medical settings, the curriculum emphasizes problem-based learning approaches.
At a Glance
- Duration: 2 years (full time)
- Credits: 69
- Cost Per Trimester: $13,900
- Modality: On campus
- Start Term: Fall (September)
- Test Requirements: Yes
- STEM-Designated: No
Learn more about tuition rates and payment options for the SLP program.
Facts & Statistics
Why Choose Sacred Heart for Your MS in Speech-Language Pathology?
Sacred Heart’s practice-focused curriculum in its MS in speech-language pathology program brings together classroom learning with hands-on experience to prepare you for many career paths in this high-demand field.
In the MS in speech-language pathology program, you will:
- Meet all requirements for national certification and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist (based on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Council for Clinical Certification in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and requirements from the Connecticut Department of Public Health)
- Work toward a specialty certificate in autism spectrum disorder or medical speech-language pathology
- Participate in intensive externships and a capstone clinical research experience
- Pursue optional interprofessional service-learning trips
- Gain valuable mentorship and support by joining the SLP “GRO” (Speech- Language Pathology Graduate Organization)
Upcoming Events
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Sacred Heart University is committed to making graduate education accessible and affordable. MS in speech-language pathology students may qualify for several financial support options, including:
- Graduate Grant-In-Aid
- Veteran benefits
- Residence hall director positions
- Graduate assistantships
Every year a limited number of graduate assistantship (GA) positions are offered competitively in the SLP program, ranging from two to eight positions, at $2,500 to $10,000. GA duties may involve working as a research assistant who is assigned to a faculty member or program assistant assigned to the department’s administrative assistant.
To explore the GA opportunities available to SLP graduate students, visit our fellowships & graduate assistantships website.
Program Highlights
Immediate Hands-On Clinical Experience
You won't spend your first year in a classroom waiting for real-world exposure. Your clinical internship begins in your very first semester, giving you the practical foundation to build on from day one.
Extensive Supervised Clinical Practicum
By graduation, you'll have accumulated at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum across diverse settings, including schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. That experience will prepare you to work with clients across the lifespan, wherever your career takes you.
Expert Faculty with Real-World Experience
Every professor in the program has worked clinically in school or medical environments. You'll learn from practitioners who bring current, field-tested knowledge into every course, not just theory from a textbook.
Problem-Based Learning Approach
The curriculum is built around real challenges. Case studies, cooperative learning, laboratory experiences, and interprofessional round tables prepare you to think critically and respond confidently in complex clinical situations.
Comprehensive Preparation for a Rewarding Career
You'll graduate fully prepared to prevent, assess, and treat human communication and swallowing disorders across a wide range of settings and populations. This is a career dedicated to improving quality of life, and Sacred Heart makes sure you're ready for it.
Facilities Spotlight
The Center for Healthcare Education’s state-of-the-art facilities offer an exceptional learning environment, ensuring you'll be prepared to succeed in the growing health care industry.
Audiology Clinic
Hands-on experience
SHU’s Audiology Clinic offers comprehensive community hearing services, such as screenings, hearing aid fittings and balance evaluations, in a setting that allows students to gain clinical experience in the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance disorders.
Complete Your Degree in Two or Three Years
With two full-time, on-campus tracks of study
For applicants with an undergraduate pre-professional background in speech-language pathology, the two-year track can be completed in five full-time semesters. Learn more about the degree requirements.
For applicants with no speech-language pathology pre-professional background, the three-year track can be completed in seven full-time semesters. Learn more about the degree requirements.
From my very first semester, I gained hands-on clinical experience and worked alongside other health care professionals. The professors and clinical educators go above and beyond for every student, and the small class sizes meant real, personal relationships with faculty. Thanks to my MS in SLP from SHU, I was fully prepared to enter the field.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the MS in speech-language pathology program are prepared to practice as licensed and certified speech-language pathologists in:
- Schools and preschools
- Birth-to-three centers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Private practice
Degree Options for Incoming Students & Current SHU Undergraduates
Incoming Students: Dual Degree Program
Incoming first-year students apply to the Bachelor’s-Master of Science in speech-language pathology dual degree program and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as their admission as undergraduate students. All speech-language pathology dual degree students must major in speech, language & hearing sciences as an undergraduate student.
Current SHU Undergraduates: 4+2 Combined Degree Program
Sacred Heart undergraduates majoring in speech, language & hearing sciences can fast-track their future by earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in six years. Work with your adviser to develop your 4+2 plan.
Sacred Heart's Speech Language Pathology Program is unlike any other because they stress the importance of problem-based learning which is a skill that I now use daily. Clinically, they provided me with a foundation of knowledge and clinical experiences; however, on a daily basis it is these other skills that allow me to excel. I can problem-solve, I communicate with my interdisciplinary team, I am able to advocate for both my residents as well as my profession and stress the importance of continued learning and use of evidenced based practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll choose between a two-year track for those with a pre-professional background in speech-language pathology, or a three-year track if you are coming from a different academic background.
Yes. You'll have the opportunity to apply for competitive graduate assistantship positions ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. You'll work closely with faculty as a research assistant or program assistant.
Absolutely. You'll gain hands-on internship experience starting in your first semester. By graduation, you'll have accumulated at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in diverse settings.
Accreditation
The Master of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Sacred Heart University 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 Master of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology at Sacred Heart University is accredited by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education. These accreditations allow the program to matriculate and graduate students who, upon successful completion of the program, will meet all requirements for national certification and state licensure as speech-language pathologists. Our program for teacher endorsement has also been approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education, making graduates eligible to serve as SLPs in Connecticut public schools.
Start Making a Difference
Ready to launch your career in speech-language pathology? Sacred Heart's MS in speech-language pathology gives you the clinical hours, the expert mentorship, and the comprehensive preparation to practice with confidence and purpose.
More Information
Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment
Did You Know?
By the first grade nearly 5% of children have speech difficulties and more than 3 million Americans stutter
Professor Taryn Rogers, director of clinical education and clinical assistant professor, and SHU speech-language pathology graduate students help combat this important public health issue with free screenings for children in our community, ages 2 to 12 years through the spring and summer.
Speech Language Pathology
Sacred Heart University speech-language pathology professor Ciara Leydon doing research on vocal folds
Speech-language pathology poster session held at the Center for Healthcare Education
Dr. Jamie Marotto demonstrates an ear exam with a patient in the Audiology Suite at the Center for Healthcare Education
Robin Danzak's speech pathology class
Speech-language pathology program hosted an articulation camp for children at the Center for Healthcare Education
The speech-language pathology program hosted an articulation camp for children at the Center for Healthcare Education
Speech-language pathology student at Sacred Heart University
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Study in state-of-the-art facilities in the Center for Healthcare Education where you’ll have access to SLP specific labs such as the audiology clinic.