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Traditional Entry to the Speech-Language Pathology Program

McDaniel'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. Traditional entry students will complete the program in 24 consecutive months.

Apply through CSDCAS (Opens July) Learn about the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology

Eligibility

Traditional entry is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology or who hold a bachelor's degree in another major and have completed the prerequisites for admission, to include the following:

Foundational Prerequisites

  • One course each in
    • biological sciences (human or animal focused recommended)
    • physical sciences (chemistry or physics required)
    • social and/or behavioral science (i.e. psychology, sociology, philosophy, culture, or ethics; lifespan psychology is recommended)
  • Statistics

SLP Content Specific Prerequisites

  • Phonetics
  • Speech and Communication Sciences
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Systems
  • Audiology
  • Speech and Language Development
  • Aural Rehabilitation is recommended but can be taken while enrolled in the master’s program at McDaniel 

Students who are in need of SLP Content Specific Prerequisites can consider our Bridge courses which are offered beginning summer 2026. 

For more information on acceptable courses please refer to ASHA description of required foundational prerequisite courses.

All courses and classes listed above must be completed—and passed—at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited institution, and must appear on your undergraduate or graduate transcripts.

Classes taken at the high school level are not eligible to meet this requirement, with the exception of advanced placement (AP) courses that appear for credit on your college/university transcript. Coursework in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics cannot be related to speech-language pathology, audiology, communication sciences, hearing sciences, or logopedia unless they fulfill a university general education requirement and are available to students who are not majoring in communication sciences and disorders (CSD).

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Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator:

D'Jaris Coles-White

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Admission Requirements for Speech-Language Pathology

Admission Application

For the traditional post-bachelor's entry, applicants are required to submit their applications to CSDCAS by Nov. 15, 2026, for the program's May 2027 cohort start. Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, required documents, and processing time. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are encouraged to complete their CSDCAS application early in the cycle. The advantage of a centralized application service is that you can monitor the status of your applications online. 

GPA

A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) is required for consideration for admission to the program. A GPA of 3.25 or higher is encouraged, as admission to this program is competitive.

Observation Hours

Applicants must include a minimum of 25 documented observation hours under supervision of an ASHA CCC-SLP certified practitioner. 

Observation hours must be completed prior to enrollment, Only activities meeting all criteria for supervised clinical observation can be counted toward observation requirements. Volunteer or job experiences may enhance readiness for graduate study but cannot fulfill these hours.

Personal Statement/Essay

Submit a personal statement/essay according to instructions. Personal statements should be completed without the assistance of an AI tool, since the statement should provide information related to the individual’s personal and professional goals and aspirations.

Resume

Submit a resume indicating work, volunteer, life, and leadership experience. Please note all volunteer and work experience is considered an enhancement to an applicant’s readiness for graduate study but cannot be used to satisfy the required SLP observation hours.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters must be from a professor, advisor, or other professional contact. Letters from personal contacts will not be considered.

Personal Interview

After submitting your application, qualified candidates may be invited for a personal interview. Please note that this program is competitive, and not all qualified applicants are invited for an interview. McDaniel alumni and students currently enrolled at McDaniel nearing completion of the bachelor's degree who are academically qualified are guaranteed an admission interview if the application is completed by the deadline.

Deadlines and Important Dates

For Traditional Post-Bachelor’s Entry:

  • July 2026: CDSCAS Application Opens.
  • Nov. 15, 2026: Priority Application Deadline
  • Interviews will be held in August, September, October, and November 2026
  • Dec. 1, 2026: Admit Decisions (Summer Start)
  • Jan. 15, 2027: Primary Deposit Deadline (Summer Start)
  • January 16-April 30: Rolling Review and Interviews of Qualified Candidates pending seat availability 
  • May 24, 2027: Summer Start (summer is a hybrid semester with on-campus residencies on the following dates: May 24-27 and Aug. 9-12 in 2027)

Traditional Program Design

Students with traditional entry to the master's program will complete the degree in six consecutive semesters or two years — four semesters of didactic coursework followed by two semesters of full-time externship.

Year 1

The first summer session for all students will be delivered in a hybrid format combining online learning with two short residency requirements (in May and August). The following fall and spring semesters will require weekly face-to-face participation on campus 3-4 days per week.

Year 2

The last two semesters (fall and spring) will require students to complete their clinical community-based externships and visit campus just once each semester for 3-5 days. This model is designed to be flexible for students to complete their practicums in areas and specialties that align with their long-term goals. 

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Questions? Contact the Program Coordinator:

D'Jaris Coles-White

Request more information
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