Speech-Language Pathology

The Speech-Language Pathology program at Duquesne gives students an excellent academic and broad-based clinical education experience at an accelerated pace.

Students in the five-year program progress seamlessly from our pre-professional phase into the professional phase (graduate program).  The Department no longer accepts applicants with bachelor’s degrees for graduate study.

Here's what you'll find:

  • The nation's first five-year, accelerated program that guarantees students a bachelor's and master's degree upon completion (providing students meet academic criteria).
  • Integrated academics, clinical practice and research.
  • State-of-the-art equipment and facilities providing real-world experience assessing and treating speech, language, and hearing problems.
  • A large and diverse network of externships with dedicated clinical instructors who teach in real-life settings.
  • Faculty members committed to teaching and research, bringing students the best academic and clinical education.
  • A rich student life with opportunities for fun, athletics, cultural events, networking, volunteerism, international travel and more.

Program Information

Duquesne University Speech-Language Pathology program is the nation's first five-year, accelerated program that guarantees students a bachelor's and master's degree upon successful completion

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's, Master's

Academic Department

Speech-Language Pathology

Duration

5 years (3 years pre-professional phase and 2 years professional phase)

Required Credit Hours

Required Credits 165 (94 pre-professional phase and 71 professional phase)

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Why Choose Duquesne SLP?

 
4th year students in SLP hallway.

Employability

Our graduates respond to employment surveys reporting that they accepted their first position within 1-6 months of graduation.

State-of-the-art University Clinic

Six semesters of clinical experience for every student

Top notch externship placements

A plethora of affiliated sites

Experience other cultures

Flexibility to Supplement SLP Curriculum & Engage in Study Aboard

Five-year Accelerated SLP Program at Duquesne

Years 1 through 3

The Pre-Professional Phase (six semesters) includes University undergraduate core requirements plus coursework selected to provide a liberal arts education, a basis in the sciences, and critical thinking skills to prepare students for the Professional Phase.

Structure of 5-year accelerated SLP program at Duquesne University

Year 3 Clinical observations begin on campus at the Duquesne Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

Students progress through the program without the need to reapply to the graduate phase or take GREs.  Students earn a B.S. in Health Sciences after the Spring semester of the 4th year of the program and a M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at the end of the 5th year of the program.

Years 4 & 5

The two-year Professional Phase (six semesters) graduate program includes specialized knowledge and skills required to become professionally certified as a Speech-Language Pathologist. In the program, students earn a Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences degree after completing the first two semesters of the Professional Phase curriculum and receive a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology four semesters later. Students completing the Pre-Professional and Professional Phases of the program at Duquesne are eligible to apply for clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, licensure to practice from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and for Pennsylvania teacher certification.

On-Campus Clinical Experience

Year 4 students are in the 1st Year Professional Phase of the program.  Throughout this phase, students will see 2-3 clients per week on-campus at the Duquesne Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

Externship Placements

Beginning with the Fall semester of the 5th year, students are assigned externship placements off campus.  Fall and Spring placements are within the Pittsburgh region.  Summer semester of the 5th year, students have the opportunity to select placements anywhere in the country.

Students also have the option of completing a thesis as part of the Professional Phase. For more information about this option contact Dr.%20Heather%20Rusiewicz.

 

Accreditation

Council on Academic Accreditation
The master's degree (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology at Duquesne University (residential) is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.

Any concerns specific to the program's accreditation status should first be addressed to the program and Duquesne University and then to the CAA. File a complaint against program.

Built To Impact The Lives Of Others

Distinctly DUQ SLP

1st and top-ranked five-year accelerated Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Program that guarantees students a bachelor's degree and master's degree upon completion.

0-5 Direct Entry Program

Guarantee your spot in the Professional Phase. Students progress through the program without the need to reapply to the graduate phase or take GREs. Students earn a B.S. in Health Sciences after the Spring semester of the 4th year of the program and a M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at the end of the 5th year of the program.

Student Outcomes

Fifteen years of 100% pass rates on the Praxis exam within six months of graduation.

Exceptional clinical preparation

Three semesters of learning with the clinical and academic faculty in the on-campus Duquesne University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and three semesters of externship experiences within the Pittsburgh region and potential to study elsewhere the final semester of the program.

Faculty & Staff

Brooke Baumann, M.S., CCC-SLP

Brooke Baumann, M.S., CCC-SLP

Director of Clinical Education, Clinical Assistant Professor

Melissa Biggerstaff

Melissa Biggerstaff

Clinic Office Coordinator

Abigail Delehanty, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Abigail Delehanty, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Department Chair, Assistant Professor

David S. Ford, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

David S. Ford, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Lori Marra, M.A., CCC-SLP

Lori Marra, M.A., CCC-SLP

Clinical Assistant Professor

Katie Micco, M.S., CCC-SLP

Katie Micco, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Assistant Professor

Annette Neff, M.S., CCC-SLP

Annette Neff, M.S., CCC-SLP

Clinical Assistant Professor

Heather Rusiewicz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Heather Rusiewicz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Department Chair, Associate Professor, and Associate Dean for Research

Desiree Russell

Desiree Russell

Part-time Clinic Office Assistant

Susan Snyder, Au.D., CCC-A

Susan Snyder, Au.D., CCC-A

Clinical Assistant Professor

Caterina Staltari, M.A., CCC-SLP

Caterina Staltari, M.A., CCC-SLP

Clinical Education Coordinator, Assistant Clinical Professor

Seth Tichenor, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Seth Tichenor, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor

Fostering Relationships

I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Duquesne Speech-Language Pathology program by mentoring students. One of the biggest perks about working in the Pittsburgh area is the chance to help train students from my alma mater and assist in preparing them for the start of their careers as SLPs in the very near future!

Sarah Leech Berklovich '17
UPMC McKeesport

Speech-Language Pathology Events

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Contact Us

Speech-Language Pathology Department

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic

SLP Program and Admissions Questions