Prepare to serve diverse populations with communication and swallowing disorders.

A combination of coursework and clinical experiences both on and off campus prepares you with the skills you need to become a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.

PennWest’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) puts you on the path to serving diverse individuals and communities in a wide variety of settings as a speech-language pathologist.

Our knowledgeable faculty are dedicated to enhancing your intellectual, cultural, social and ethical development. We make that happen by emphasizing complete integration of theory, research and practice.

From your first days on campus, you’ll be connected to an experienced advisor who will help you focus on your specific interests and map out a path to ensure success. In all, you will engage in five clinical rotations, three on campus and two externships in various clinical settings. These experiences will help you gain the necessary clinical skills to make informed professional judgments and become a client-and-community-centered practitioner.

Our program builds a professional community through engagement in various educational, advocacy and service opportunities so you will graduate ready to make an impact in your community.

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Fact Sheet

Executive Summary

Student Outcome Data

PennWest University Fall 2023 tuition costs are being finalized and are expected to be released in early 2023.

Accreditation Matters

The Master of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (residential and satellite) at Pennsylvania Western University is an Applicant for Accreditation 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. Pennsylvania Western University’s legacy Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at California University of Pennsylvania (residential), Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Clarion University of Pennsylvania (residential), and Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (residential) are accredited 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.

On-Campus Speech and Hearing Centers

These on-campus clinics serve as a supervised training environment for graduate students to observe, screen, assess, counsel and provide therapeutic intervention for communication and/or swallowing disorders.

Advocacy and Leadership

Local chapters of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association prepare you to become active members, advocates and leaders in state and national professional organizations.

Fast Facts

$79,060

The median salary of a speech-language pathologist in 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Credits:

Format:

Face-to-face

Location:

Edinboro

California

Clarion

Contact:

Graduate Admissions
gradadmissions@pennwest.edu
724-938-4187

Start Terms:

Fall, Spring

Careers and Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of speech-language pathologists is projected to grow 21 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Approximately 40% of speech-language pathologists work in educational settings, while others work in hospitals, outpatient therapy facilities, in nursing and residential care facilities and in private practice.

The median salary of a speech-language pathologist in 2021 was $79,060 per year.

Graduate Outcomes

Demonstrate adequate knowledge of principles of basic science and normal development in relation to speech, language and hearing for entry level into the profession.
Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics, etiologies, and diagnostic and treatment methods for each disorder area within the scope of practice for speech-language pathology.
Apply and integrate discipline-specific knowledge to develop and implement appropriate diagnostic and clinical management plans, providing services resulting in evidence-based practice in speech language pathology.
Demonstrate knowledge of professional and ethical standards of conduct.

Public Meeting Notice

Notice of Public Meeting with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) at Pennsylvania Western (PennWest) University invites you to a public meeting with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CAA is a nationally recognized accrediting agency. As part of the CAA’s recognition by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the agency is encouraged to develop a method for allowing public input about the accreditation process and about graduate education programs prior to final decision by the CAA. Accordingly, individuals who wish to provide input about a program may do so in two ways: (1) submitting written comments prior to the accreditation site visit in accordance with the procedures specified below or (2) attending and providing comments at a public meeting during the program’s scheduled site visit.

Public Meeting

Date: Monday, March 27, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
In person Location: 116 Keeling Hall, PennWest-Clarion, Clarion, PA 16214
Remote: https://pennwest-edu.zoom.us/j/97368936329

Written Comments

All comments are due in the Accreditation Office no later than 15 days before the first day of the scheduled site visit. Comments received after this time will not be forwarded to the site visit team for consideration during the accreditation review, in accordance with the procedures specified in Chapter XII of the Accreditation Handbook. Comments may be submitted by email (accreditation@asha.org), fax (301-296-8570), or mailed to Accreditation Public Comment, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850.

All comments must:

Relate to a program’s compliance with the current Standards for Accreditation
Identify the specific program seeking candidacy, initial accreditation, or continued accreditation with the CAA
All written testimony—including comments faxed or submitted as e-mail attachments–must include the commenter’s name, address and telephone contact information and the commenter’s relationship to the program in order for Accreditation staff to verify the source of the testimony. All comments must be signed.

Comments that do not meet these requirements will not be considered, and the individual or group commenting will be notified. The Standards for Accreditation and the CAA’s Public Comment policy and procedures are available in the Accreditation Handbook. These documents may also be obtained by sending a written request to the Accreditation Office.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology