Tab Group
Applicants to the SLP master’s program come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Some applicants have completed an undergraduate major or minor in communication sciences and disorders and have completed 18 or more credits of undergraduate coursework in speech, language and hearing. Others have had different undergraduate majors, such as psychology, linguistics, education, biology and Spanish, to name just a few, and have not completed the pre-professional coursework. These latter students, once admitted, will take those pre-professional courses as part of their program of study.
Students who are accepted will be assigned to one of two cohorts:
1. Students With a Background (have prerequisites) are students who will have completed or are enrolled in undergraduate preparation by the application deadline (February 15th) that includes courses in the following six topics: Speech and Hearing Science, Introduction to Language Development, Phonetics, Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing, Neurophysiological Bases of Communication, Clinical Procedures in Audiology, or comparable classes. If, by the time the student is applying for the program the neurophysiology class has not been completed or enrolled in, it may be possible for them to take it at Montclair over the summer before they begin their program so that they could join the “with a background” cohort in the fall. However, an agreement would need to be reached in advance between the student and program during the admissions process for this to occur. For students with a background in communication disorders, the program now has a reduced length of 2 years (6 semesters).
2. Students Without a Background (do not have prerequisites) are students who have not completed or are not enrolled in all six of the prerequisite courses by the application deadline (February 15th). As noted above, if the only prerequisite that a student is missing is the neurophysiology class, it is possible (with prior approval) that the student can complete this class at Montclair over the summer before they begin their program in the fall in order to be considered “with a background.” Students without a background in communication disorders can complete the program in 8 semesters.
In reviewing the applications, the Speech-Language Pathology admissions committee will evaluate the submitted transcript(s) to determine if an applicant has successfully completed or will need to complete any pre-professional prerequisite courses. Successful completion means that the applicant earned a B-level grade or above. If accepted into the program, applicants can be placed in a work program similar to the attached sample program: Sample SLP Program
Cohort placement determines your work program – what courses you are required to take and what courses you will take each semester. The curriculum for students without a background is typically two semesters longer than for a student who has a background in communication disorders. Applicants who apply as a student without a background cannot be changed into the cohort of students with a background without permission from the admissions coordinator and graduate program coordinator. Students who apply as a student with a background may be changed into the cohort of students without a background if they receive lower than a B-level grade in any of the six pre-professional courses that they are enrolled in.
Students with a background will be divided into two groups. One which starts their program in the summer after being accepted, and the other starting in the fall after being accepted. The group that starts in the summer will be required to complete six credits of their program before the fall semester begins. The group that starts in the summer will then embark on an accelerated program which will allow them to graduate a semester earlier than the cohort that begins in the fall. The “summer start” group will graduate in May of their second year and the “fall start” group will graduate in August of their second year. However, there are limited seats in the “summer start” cohort so be sure to indicate your interest in this cohort through the application process. It cannot be guaranteed that every student that requests a summer start will receive it. The earlier you confirm your acceptance to Montclair, the better chance you will have for securing a seat in the summer cohort.
Minimum requirements for applications to be reviewed for admission to the master’s program:
- Undergraduate GPA greater than or equal to 3.3 or a GPA of at least 3.0 from a prior master’s degree.
- The GRE is recommended for all applicants. GRE scores:Verbal scores of 142 or higher recommended.*
Quantitative scores of 140 or higher recommended.*
Writing scores of 3.5 or higher recommended.* - Two letters of recommendation. Each recommender should attest to the applicant’s potential to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. Letters should come from faculty at institutions of higher education.
- Submit an original essay. Essays should address why you are interested in applying to a program in speech-language pathology.
- Transcripts or undergraduate and graduate work. International applicants with overseas education, must have a course by course evaluation with U.S. equivalency from a member of NACES.org or Educated choices.
- Review and determine if you meet the requirements specified in the Eligibility Requirements and Essential Functions Document.
- Review the policy on Background Checks for students enrolled in the clinical education programs at Montclair State University.
- International applicants must meet the level of English proficiency recommended by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for Speech-Language Pathologists:
◊ A passing score of 83 of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Note that in order to meet ASHA standards for English proficiency, you will also need a score of 26 on the spoken section).
◊ AND a score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). (Note that in order to meet ASHA standards for English proficiency, you will also need a score of 7 on the spoken section).
* Please note that all applicants, including individuals with a previous master’s degree, are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores. Applicants with a prior master’s degree who took the GRE exam more than five years ago should contact the Graduate School.
NOTE: The Speech-Language Pathology program will not defer a student’s acceptance to the following year. You would have to reapply to the program if you are unable to start the program in the Fall that you applied.