Admission Requirements

We welcome your interest in the graduate program in speech-language pathology here at SUNY Cortland. Be advised that acceptance to communication disorders and sciences master’s programs is very competitive, with more eligible applicants than can be accommodated. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission to SUNY Cortland’s program.

Required Materials

1. Completed online Graduate School Application. Review of applications begins Feb. 1. Prospective international students can learn more about important requirements.
   
   
2. Forward all official transcripts from higher education institutions attended directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. Note: Candidates for admission must present evidence of a bachelor’s degree conferred in the major prior to the start of their academic program.
   
   
3. A statement of 250 words or less demonstrating commitment to and interest in the profession of speech-language pathology. The applicant should demonstrate an ability to write clearly and well.
   
   
4. A résumé must be submitted online with the application.
   
   
5. A minimum of three recommendation forms and letters, two academic letters, with a minimum of one from a Communication Disorders and Sciences professor. The recommendation form is available in the online application.
   
   

Admissions Criteria

1. Minimum 3.0 or higher grade point average both in the major and cumulatively. The 3.0 undergraduate grade point average criterion is the minimal acceptable grade point average but does not guarantee admission into our degree program.
   
   
2. Must be in the process of earning or have earned an undergraduate B.S. or B.A.
   
   
3. Must have completed content in the following areas: Normal Language Development; Phonetics; Speech Science/Anatomy and Physiology; Audiology; Articulation and Language Disorders; Diagnostics or Clinical Methods; Biological Science; Physical Science (Chemistry or Physics); and Statistics.
   
   
4. Must have completed Liberal Arts coursework in the following areas:

• Artistic Expression/Humanities (3 credit hours)
• Communication (3 credit hours)
• Information Retrieval (0-3 credit hours)
• Concepts in History/Social Science (3 credit hours)
• Language other than English (6 credit hours)
• Scientific Processes (3 credit hours)
• Mathematical Processes (3 credit hours)
• Literature, Analysis and Written Expression (6 credit hours)

5. Additional coursework related to teacher certification in New York state (courses or equivalents) is required prior to graduation:

• Health 110: Personal and Community Health
• Psychology 332: Educational Psychology
• Education 496/596: Organization of Speech/Language/Hearing programs in the schools
• Psychology courses related to lifespan development

Once the Graduate Admissions Office receives all of the required documents, your application will be forwarded to the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department. The Department Graduate Admissions Committee consisting of a minimum of five department representatives, will evaluate each application.

Students who have coursework deficits in Admissions Criteria areas 4 (liberal arts requirements) and 5 (teacher education requirements) may receive a provisional acceptance to the program with the understanding that fulfilling the requirements of the Master's Degree means completion of the additional coursework prior to graduation.

Admission Statistics (2013-2023)

Accreditation Information

The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential education modality) at SUNY Cortland is 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.