Application Process
Gannon University and the Speech Language Pathology Department
receives and reviews applications for the Master of Speech Language
Pathology program and all applicant credentials exclusively through
the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science &
Disorders Programs (CSDCAS), provided by the Council of Academic
Programs in Communication Science and Disorders (CAPCSD) and
Liaison. Full application instructions can be found on the Gannon
University - Ruskin, FL profile page:
https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
Admission Requirements
The program is designed as a full-time course of study.
Transfers to the program will be considered on a case-by-case
basis. A maximum of 6 credits may be accepted for transfer, if a
grade of B or higher was achieved, and approved by the program
director.
Prior to matriculation in the program, students must complete
and fulfill the following requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or
completion of equivalent coursework from an accredited college or
university*
- Cumulative prerequisite course quality point average (QPA) of
3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; Grades below a "C" are not
acceptable.
- Overall undergraduate QPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
- Prerequisite courses, as shown below, must be completed within
ten years preceding entrance into the graduate program.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed by June 1 in the
year of enrollment.
- A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 for all applicants from
non-English speaking countries
Prerequisite Course Requirements
- Biological Sciences - 3 credits (e.g.. Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Biology)
- Social/Behavioral Sciences - 6 credits (e.g. courses in Psychology, Sociology, Public Health)
- Physical Sciences - 3 credits (e.g. college-level Chemistry or Physics)
- Statistics - 3 credits (e.g. college-level Statistics course that is computational and not remedial or historical in nature)
*Equivalent coursework includes a minimum of
one course in each of the following six subjects:
- Normal Speech and
Language Development in Children
- Anatomy and
Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
- Phonetics
- Speech and Hearing
Sciences
- Introduction to
Audiology
- Introduction to
Communication Disorders
Additional Requirements
- Personal interview. Spoken English skills, as well as
ethical, personal and professional qualities to fulfill the role of
a speech-language pathologist will be assessed during the interview
process.
- Three letters of recommendation, which address the applicant's
ethical, personal and professional qualities.
- Twenty-five (25) hours of observation of clinical practice by an
ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist; observation hours
should vary across settings, ages, and disorders. These hours
are only shadowing hours prior to admission; they are not part of
the 400 hours required by ASHA, which should be completed as part
of our academic program. View and print the SLP clinical observation hours template.
- Written Essay on a Topic
Designated by the Program – Practice as a healthcare professional requires
the ability to communicate in both verbal and written form. The
Speech-Language Pathology Program expects admitted students to demonstrate
graduate-level competence in verbal and written communication. A writing
sample will be required for each applicant to assess his/her
graduate-level competence in written English. Writing samples will be
blinded and scored by SLP faculty as part of the admissions process.