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Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

A master's degree in speech-language pathology (SLP) opens the door to one of the fastest-growing healthcare careers in the country. SLP graduates work with patients of all ages in schools, hospitals, rehab centers, and private practice settings, diagnosing and treating disorders related to speech, language, voice, and fluency. McDaniel College's M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology prepares you with the clinical skills, hands-on experience, and academic foundation you need to become a licensed speech-language pathologist in Maryland and beyond.

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Occupational Therapy, Master of Science
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Total credits
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Choose Your Pathway
Traditional Post-Bachelor, 5-Year Accelerated BA/MS, or Career-Changer Through Bridge Program

Why McDaniel for your M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology?

McDaniel’s Master of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program offers a unique Holistic Immersive Learning Model that integrates four key components: hybrid learning, face-to-face instruction, community-based clinical engagement (on and off campus), and interdisciplinary collaboration to provide a comprehensive, student- and client-centered educational experience.  

There are several pathways to admission for this program to include: 

Admission Options

a. Traditional Post-Bachelor’s Entry (CSD/SLP Degree):
For applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology.

b. Traditional Post-Bachelor’s Entry (Prerequisites Completed):
For applicants with a bachelor’s degree in another field who have completed the required prerequisite coursework. Prerequisites are listed on the program website. McDaniel also offers an online Bridge Program to help students complete these requirements.

c. Five-Year Accelerated BA/MS Pathway:
For first-year undergraduate students committed to a career in speech-language pathology. This accelerated program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences (Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences specialization) and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in five years. Students apply through the undergraduate application process. The five-year option will begin accepting applications for fall 2027; current McDaniel students are encouraged to contact the SLP Program at slp@mcdaniel.edu. 

Our Two Year Traditional Entry Model: 

  • Year one (summer 1, fall, spring, and summer 2) combines online and face-to-face instruction, delivered in our newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility.
  • The final two semesters — fall and spring of year 2 — are dedicated to full-time externships completed in community-based settings. 

Career Connections Start Here

The program’s cohort model offers a supportive and engaging learning environment where students progress together, building strong connections and a shared sense of purpose. 

Through a balanced application of innovative pedagogy, scholarly, experiential learning, and immersive instructional methods, McDaniel SLP graduates will acquire skills necessary for evidence-based inquiry, professional reasoning, and collaborative engagement, while learning to be part of an interdisciplinary team to work, serve, advocate, and lead through the profession. 

The professional course of study immerses students in the study of speech-language pathology practice through academic coursework, integrated labs, research, and a wide variety of clinical practicum experiences, both on and off campus.

Projected Timeline

Post-Bachelor's Program:
  • Application Deadlines & Program Timeline 
    • July 16, 2026: Application Opens for Summer 2027 
    • October 1, 2026: Early Consideration Deadline 
    • November 15, 2026: Application Priority Deadline 
    • January 8, 2027: Regular Application Deadline 
    • January 9 – May 1, 2027: Rolling Consideration (Applications will continue to be reviewed, and students will be admitted until the cohort is filled. Students may also be considered for the waitlist if the cohort seats have been filled).   
  • Applicant Interviews 
    • October 16, 2026 – Early Consideration Interview Day 
    • November 20, 2026 and December 4, 2026– Priority Interview Day
    • January 15, 2027 – Regular Application Interview Day 
    • Interviews will be held January – April 30, 2027 for open cohort seats or waitlist seats.  
  • Deposit Deadlines (Summer 2027 Cohort)
    • Early Consideration Deadline – January 8, 2026 
    • Final Deadline - February 1, 2026
  • Classes Begin 
    • May 24, 2027
5-Year Accelerated BA/MS Program

Accepting application for Fall 2027 Undergraduate Admission (MS Cohort 2031) – August 1, 2026

Note: Students should indicate interest in the 5-Year BA in Health Science/MS in SLP program

Application Deadline 

  • Early Decision Deadline – November 1
  • Priority Decision Deadline – February 1
  • Final Application Deadline – April 1
Bridge Program
  • Bridge Courses are offered each semester.  Apply as a non-degree seeking student to begin summer, fall or spring. For more information go here

How to Apply

McDaniel College's developing Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program will begin accepting applications in July 2026 for our first cohort to begin in May 2027. 

Want to be notified when the application opens?

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Admissions Information

Learn about Speech-Language Pathology admissions pathways, prerequisites, and application requirements.

SLP Admission Requirements
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Request more information

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator:

D'Jaris Coles-White

Request more information

Speech-Language Pathology Job Outlook

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100,560

Average speech-language pathologist salary in Maryland.

25

Percent growth rate for speech-language pathology jobs between 2023-33, faster than the national average.

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#3

Out of 100 Best Health Care Jobs by U.S. News & World Report.

Admission Requirements

McDaniel College offers several pathways for admission to the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. Select a pathway below to discover how you can enroll at McDaniel as a candidate for the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology.

Traditional Entry

CSDCAS Application Opens July 2026

For students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, or a related degree, and have fulfilled or are currently enrolled in all required prerequisites.

Bridge Program Entry

Graduate Bridge Courses Option Begins Summer 2026

For students who have completed a bachelor's degree but still need to complete required SLP content prerequisite coursework before the first semester of the M.S. program.

5-Year Accelerated BA in Health Science/MS in SLP Tfor McDaniel Undergraduates

For students considering McDaniel as a first-year undergraduate student. The 5-Year Accelerated program Students will allow students to major in Health Sciences with a specialization in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences to prepare for a smooth transition into graduate courses in the summer between the third and fourth year of study.  Students will complete the Bachelor of Arts in Health Science and the Master of Science in SLP program in 5 years. 
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Admissions, Application, and Deadlines

View prerequisite courses, application requirements, and when to apply for the traditional, bridge, and 4+2 pathways. 

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Goals, Mission, Strategic Plan, and Outcomes

Learn more about McDaniel's developing Speech-Language Pathology program.

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About Our Curriculum

McDaniel's two-year, hybrid program is structured to support your learning and experiences in the field of speech-language pathology.

D'Jaris Coles-White

Faculty Q&A D’Jaris Coles-White, Ph.D.

D’Jaris Coles-White brings a passion for teaching and mentorship to her role as program director of the developing M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program. “Being part of a college that is both rooted in tradition and forward-looking made McDaniel a natural fit for me,” she says. She earned a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Columbia College, an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Communication Disorders from University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Read more about D’Jaris Coles-White, Ph.D.

Additional Resources

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Faculty Q&A Rosalyn Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

As an educator and clinical education coordinator, Rosalyn Davis will prepare students in the developing M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program to become stellar clinicians. She holds a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Andrews University, an M.S. in Communicative Disorders from University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.A. in Educational Administration from Governors State University, and a Ph.D. in Translational Health Science from George Washington University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.

Read more about Rosalyn Davis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Accreditation Status Statement (Candidacy Phase)

The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Speech-Language Pathology (residential) at McDaniel College is an Applicant for Candidacy 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.

Complaints Related to Accreditation

Students may contact the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) if they have concerns about the program’s compliance with accreditation standards. 

The complaint must be signed and submitted with any relevant appendices by U.S. mail, overnight courier, hand delivery, or email to:

Chair, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850

OR accreditation@asha.org. 

Copies of the CAA’s complaint procedures, relevant Standards for Accreditation, and the Complaint Form are available in paper form by contacting the Accreditation Office at accreditation@asha.org or 800-498-2071. 

Before filing a complaint, it is strongly recommended that you read the CAA’s Complaint chapter in the Accreditation Handbook, which can be found online at https://caa.asha.org/siteassets/files/accreditation-handbook.pdf.  

Related Programs

Health Sciences Occupational Therapy, Master of Science

How to Apply

McDaniel College's developing Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program will begin accepting applications in July 2026 for our first cohort to begin in May 2027. 

Want to be notified when the application opens?

Notify Me

Admissions Information

Learn about Speech-Language Pathology admissions pathways, prerequisites, and application requirements.

SLP Admission Requirements
phone2 Created with Sketch.

Request more information

Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator:

D'Jaris Coles-White

Request more information
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