Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 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 offers at least one online section of allt 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 prerequisite coursework listed below (or equivalent) to be considered for admission to the MA program in Speech-Language Pathology.

• SPV/LNG 245 (Articulatory Phonetics)
• SPV/LNG 247 (Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech Mechanism)
  
• SPV/LNG 246 (Introduction to Audiology)
  
• SPV 321 (Language Acquisition)
• SPV 349 (Speech and Hearing Science)
  
• SPV 326 (Speech Pathology I) OR 327 (Speech Pathology II)

In order for a prerequisite student to be eligible to apply to the graduate program, her/his/their 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/they applied. If you have questions regarding prerequisite course requirements, please contact: Professor Boylan, Undergraduate Academic Adviser at ugspeech.advisement@lehman.cuny.edu

• 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
• 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:
  
  • 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
    
  • Demonstrating English oral skills during the interview that are adequate for student success in graduate academic coursework and clinical practica.

Can I take prerequisite courses at Lehman College?

Yes. You may apply to the College as a non-matriculated undergraduate student and then use iDeclare to take the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Speech-Language Pathology. Altneratively, you may apply to the College 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:
  • Priority deadline: January 15
  • Final deadline: February 1
    
• For spring semester admission:
  • Priority deadline: October 1
  • Final deadline: October 15

Applications can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions, Shuster Hall, Room 150 (718-960-8702).

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.