Student providing hands-on learning for a communication disorder
Communication Sciences and Disorders

Criteria for Program Progression

The MS graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to prepare the graduate candidate for a successful and fulfilling experience and career in speech-language pathology.

To ensure competency in completing the graduate program in speech-language pathology the following criteria must be satisfied:

  • Completion of 60 credits of academic and clinical coursework.
  • Completion of 400 hours of clinical practicum; 25 of these hours are observational and 50 hours can be obtained at the undergraduate level if applicable. Clinical practicum hours are obtained in-house at the Pace University Speech and Hearing Center and/or through teletherapy during the first three semesters and at external placements/sites during the final two semesters.
  • All students are required to meet with their academic advisor every semester to monitor student progression and to ensure requirements in the graduate program are being met. Documentation of advisement is maintained. Students will not be allowed to register for upcoming courses or the second-year comprehensive examination until this requirement has been met.
  • Second-degree graduate students who are taking CSD coursework on a non-matriculated basis to satisfy graduate program admissions may avail themselves of CSD faculty advisement on an individual basis.
  • Students must earn and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Students are advised, monitored, and supported every semester by the CSD faculty to establish and maintain this requirement.
  • Should a student earn less than a 3.0 in any CSD course, the student will be placed on Academic Probation (see Academic Probation policy). In addition, a remediation plan will be instituted for a student who earns a B- (2.7) or less in the course; the student must demonstrate that the standards are met. Again, students are advised, monitored, and supported every semester by the CSD faculty to complete the remediation and be removed from Academic Probation.
  • Students who receive more than one grade below a B in the same or different semesters will be dismissed from the program.
  • Students must meet performance indicators for clinical practicum on-campus at the Pace University Speech, Language, and Hearing Center and external placements.
  • All students must comply with the procedures and policies of the Pace University Speech, Language, and Hearing Center.
  • All students must adhere to the procedures and requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
  • Students must complete mandatory workshops as designated by the Program, the frequency, topics and schedule to be determined.
  • Students must complete all necessary trainings as mandated by the Program, University, State and/or accrediting agencies.
  • Students will complete a first-year comprehensive assessment and must pass a second-year comprehensive examination.

To graduate, students must successfully satisfy all academic (60 credits) and clinical (400 total hours) for the graduate degree. To ensure all academic requirements and credits are met, CSD academic advisors will review students’ transcripts at the end of each semester and at the beginning of their last semester. The Clinic Director, Placement Coordinator and Supervisors will monitor and ensure that students receive the required total hours to meet compliance.

Graduates from the MS program will be eligible for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification as well as other relevant local and state credentials upon graduation. Passing the Praxis exam is a required component for obtaining certification to practice speech-language pathology by ASHA and most states.