Undergraduate Program
B.A. Program in Speech Pathology and Audiology
Mission Statement
The mission of the undergraduate program is to
- contribute to the liberal arts education of students;
- instill an understanding of typical and atypical communication processes across the lifespan;
- support and motivate students to pursue graduate study in communication sciences and disorders; and
- provide equal access to education and opportunities to underrepresented minority students.
Learning goals and objectives
Goal 1
Students will learn the concepts, theories, and findings pertaining to human communication in preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology or audiology.
- Student Outcome 1.1
Demonstrate knowledge of biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases of basic human communication and swallowing processes. - Student Outcome 1.2
Demonstrate beginning knowledge of the etiologies and characteristics of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing development and disorders. - Student Outcome 1.3
Demonstrate knowledge of the general principles of prevention, assessment, and intervention of speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders.
Goal 2
Students will develop critical thinking, analytical and reasoning skills.
- Student Outcome 2.1
Demonstrate basic understanding of the general principles and practices of evidence-based practice, theoretical models, and their clinical applications. - Student Outcome 2.2
Demonstrate an integrated basic knowledge of neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental, linguistic, and cultural bases of basic human communication disorders and swallowing processes into written clinical observation reports and/or writing assignments.
Goal 3
Students will develop their written and oral communication skills and information literacy.
- Student Outcome 3.1
Formulate and develop a reasoned, positioned, response based on research of the current literature on human communication development and disorders and/or swallowing. - Student Outcome 3.2
Demonstrate effective oral and/or written communication through oral/written presentation projects and/or papers using appropriate terminology and concepts applicable to the discipline of speech-language pathology and audiology.
Undergraduate Program Director
Stephen Cavallo, Ph.D.
Location: Speech Building, Room 220
E-mail: stephen.cavallo@lehman.cuny.edu
Undergraduate Academic Adviser
Mary Boylan
Location: Speech Building, Room 221
E-mail: UGSpeech.advisement@lehman.cuny.edu
COURSES
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES
Department of Speech Language Hearing Sciences
Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology: Major Requirements
Required Courses Credits (3 credits each or 30 credits in courses in the major)
- *SPV 228 Introduction to Audiology
- *SPV 245 (LNG 245) Articulatory Phonetics
- *SPV 246 (LNG 160) Introduction to Linguistics
- *SPV 247 (LNG 247) Anatomy and Physiology of Speech
- SPV 312 Bilingualism
- SPV 321 Language Acquisition
- SPV 326 Speech Pathology I-Functional Disorders
- SPV 327 Speech Pathology II-Organic Disorders SPV 349 Speech and Hearing Sciences
- SPV 430 Clinical Methods and Observation
PSY 166: General Psychology or SOC 166: Fundamentals of Sociology (3 cr.)
Biological Science Requirement:
BIO 183: Human Biology or BIO 166: Principles of Biology: Cells & Genes (4 cr.)
Natural Science Requirement: PHY 140: The Physics of Sound (3.5 cr.)
Statistics Requirement: MAT 132: Introduction to Statistics (4 cr.)
Writing Requirement: ENW 3070: Health and Science Writing (3 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS: 47.5
*Students must maintain a minimum average of 2-7 (B-) G.P.A in the first four 200 level courses chosen from SPV 245, SPV 246, SPV 247, & SPV 249, in order to continue in the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Major. Students who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-) in their first four courses may use them as a Minor in Speech Pathology & Audiology.
SPV 245 + SPV 246 + SPV 228 + SPV 247 are prerequisites for SPV321
SPV 245 + SPV 246 + SPV 228 + SPV 247 are prerequisites for SPV 326 and SPV 327
SPV 245 + SPV 246 + SPV 228 + SPV 247 are a prerequisite for SPV 349
SPV 245 + SPV 246 + SPV 228 + SPV 247 are prerequisites for SPV 312
SPV 326 or SPV 327 is pre-requisite for SPV 430
NEW PATHWAY TO APPLY FOR TSSLD CERTIFICATION
School-based speech language pathologists must hold the Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certification.
The New York State Board of Regents met a few days ago and passed an amendment for a new pathway to apply for the TSSLD that does not require the education credits that are needed through the current TSSLD pathway offered by the Lehman College Department of Education. The new pathway requirements are:
1. Completion of an ASHA certified master’s level program (e.g., our graduate program)
2. Completion of a school-based practicum and experience with school-age children (0 to 21) that total 150 client contact hours
3. Passing score on the Educating All Students exam
4. Any other requirements for teacher certification in New York State such as fingerprinting, workshops, etc.
Once you have completed the M.A. and the requirements listed above, you may apply directly to the NYS Education’s TEACH system for your TSSLD. This change is effective October 3 2018.
PREREQUISTES FOR ADMISSION TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE- HEARING SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN A DIFFERENT MAJOR
COURSE # OF CREDITS (6 courses of 3 credits each)
*SPV 228 Introduction to Audiology
*SPV 245 Articulatory Phonetics
*SPV 247 Anatomy and Physiology of Speech
*(Required to take either SPV326 or SPV327)
*SPV 321 Language Acquisition
*SPV 326 Speech Pathology I-Functional Disorders
*SPV 327 Speech Pathology II-Organic Disorders
*SPV 349 Speech and Hearing Sciences
Total Credits required for admission: 18
Additional 12 Credits needed for ASHA Certification (not required for admission into graduate program, but must be completed before completing Master’s degree)
1 Biology
1 Statistics
1 Psychology or Social Science
1 Natural Science – (Chemistry or Physics)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Undergraduate Program in Speech Pathology and Audiology
Is it possible to work while pursuing an undergraduate major in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Lehman?
It is possible, and many of our undergraduate students work while attending the undergraduate program. Courses are offered online, during the day and evening throughout the week, and on Saturdays. Students who work may have to adjust their work schedule according to class meeting times. If you work while attending the program, it is advisable to take a reduced course load.
Do undergraduate students enroll in clinical practicum?
No. Undergraduate students do not engage in any hands-on therapy. SPV 430: Clinical Methods and Supervised Observation, is a required course that provides students with an opportunity for supervised observation of therapy.
I am not particularly strong in math or science. Is this a good major for me?
Probably not. Science is an important component of many of the required courses in the major. The content of courses in basic communication processes includes statistics, biology, physics, and anatomy and physiology.
Can I take online courses?
Yes. The Department typically offers one online section of most required SPV courses each semester.
Can a student minor in Speech Pathology and Audiology?
Yes. The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences offers a 12-credit minor. If you are interested in minoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology, consult with the undergraduate academic adviser to plan a minor program.
Does the undergraduate program have a student association?
Yes. Lehman College is a chapter member of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). The Lehman NSSLHA chapter has both undergraduate and graduate student members.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Graduate Program in Speech-Language Pathology
Is the Lehman graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology accredited?
Yes, the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
What are the requirements for consideration for admission into the graduate program?
Admission to Lehman’s MA program in Speech-Language Pathology is highly competitive and the applicant’s undergraduate academic performance (overall and major grade point averages) is an important criterion for admission. Admissions decisions are based on competitive review. Although not required for acceptance into Lehman’s MA program in Speech-Language Pathology, students must complete a minimum of one course (or the equivalent) in each of the following four areas to be eligible for ASHA’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP):
- Statistics: MATH 132: Introduction to Statistics
- Social Sciences: PSY 166: General Psychology or SOC 166: Fundamentals of Sociology
- Biological Sciences: BIO 166: Principles of Biology or BIO 183: Human Biology
- Physical Sciences: PHY 140: The Physics of Sound
What are the specific requirements for consideration for admission into the graduate program?
- A bachelor’s degree in speech–language pathology (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university.
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a major other than Communication Sciences must complete 18 credits of the following prerequisite coursework (or equivalent) to be considered for admission to the MA program in Speech-Language Pathology: - SPV 245 (Articulatory Phonetics),
- SPV 247 (Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech Mechanism),
- SPV 249 (Speech & Hearing Science),
- SPV 321 (Language Acquisition),
- SPV 326 (Speech Pathology I) or 327 (Speech Pathology II), and
- SPV 328 (Introduction to Audiology)
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major or in the prerequisite courses; Please note: These are minimum requirements. Lehman’s graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology is a highly competitive program and the applicant’s undergraduate academic performance (overall and major grade point averages) is one important criterion for admissions decisions.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation from academic faculty (at least one letter should be from a Professor in a speech-language pathology/ audiology course).
- Personal statement
- Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the last five years. Minimum criteria: Verbal 151, Quantitative 146, Writing 3.5.
- six months or more experience in the field of speech-language pathology or a related field (education, psychology, counseling, etc.) is not required, but is desirable.
- English Policy: Proficiency in spoken and written English is required for admissions to the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology. This requirement applies to all applicants for whom English is not the native language, including international students, permanent residents, and citizens. A satisfactory command of the English language is necessary for student success in academic and clinical coursework in the graduate program in Speech-language Pathology.
Applicants to the Lehman College graduate program in Speech-language Pathology, who are non-native speakers of English, must demonstrate proficiency of English through the following:
In order for a prerequisite student to be eligible to apply to the graduate program, her/his transcript must reflect grades for at least four (4) prerequisite courses and the applicant must be enrolled in the last two (2) prerequisite courses during the semester she/he applied. If you have questions regarding prerequisite course requirements, please contact either of the following faculty members:
Mary Boylan, Undergraduate Academic Adviser at
UGSpeech.advisement@lehman.cuny.edu
or
Dr. Stephen Cavallo, Undergraduate Program Director at
stephen.cavallo@lehman.cuny.edu
- A passing score on the International Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Completion of a B.A., M.A, or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university where English is the primary language of instruction
- A minimum GRE writing score of 3.5.
- Demonstrating English oral skills during the interview that are adequate for student success in graduate academic coursework and clinical practica.
I didn't major in communication sciences and disorders as an undergraduate student. What prerequisite coursework is required for consideration for admission to the graduate program?
The following six prerequisite courses (or their equivalents) are required for consideration for admission into the graduate program:
- SPV 245: Articulatory Phonetics
- SPV 247: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
- SPV 249: Speech & Hearing Science
- SPV 321: Language Acquisition
- SPV 326: Speech Pathology I or SPV 327: Speech Pathology II
- SPV 328: Introduction to Audiology
Total: 18 credits
Can I take prerequisite courses at Lehman College?
Yes. You may apply to the College as a non-matriculated undergraduate student or as a matriculated student enrolled in a second BA degree. Please contact Mary Boylan, the undergraduate academic adviser, to determine which option is better for you.
If I take prerequisite courses at Lehman, does that mean I will be accepted into Lehman's graduate program?
No. Your application for admission to the graduate program will be considered among those of all other applicants. While there is no guarantee of admission to the graduate program, members of the faculty have a better understanding of your relative strengths and weaknesses if you have taken your prerequisite courses at Lehman.
Does Lehman interview candidates for admission to the graduate program?
Yes. Once all submitted applications have been reviewed, a select number of applicants will be invited to meet with faculty for an interview. Final decisions regarding admissions to the graduate program are made following the interview.
Can I enroll in graduate courses as a non-matriculated student?
No. Only matriculated students in the MA program may enroll in graduate courses at Lehman.
When are the deadlines for application to the graduate program and how can I obtain an application?
- For fall semester admission: January 15
- For spring semester admission: October 1
Applications can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions, Shuster Hall, Room 150 (718-960-8702) or click here.
How many credits is the Master's Program in speech-language pathology?
Effective January 2018, the graduate program leading to an M.A. degree is a 63-credit program.
What are the requirements for graduation?
Satisfactory completion of all required academic courses and clinical practica, a portfolio review, and a satisfactory exit interview at the completion of your studies.
Does Lehman offer a Master's Degree in Audiology?
No. The Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences does not offe a graduate program in Audiology. The CUNY Graduate Center, however, offers an AuD in Audiology. For more information about the AuD, visit the CUNY Graduate Center Health Sciences Doctoral Program website.
