Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with people across the lifespan to support communication, feeding, and swallowing. SLPs assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of speech, language, cognitive, voice, social communication, and swallowing disorders that may affect a person’s ability to participate fully in everyday life at home, in school, in the workplace, and in the community. SLPs also collaborate with families, caregivers, educators, and other health professionals to support meaningful, person-centered care. The scope of practice for speech-language pathology includes prevention, assessment, intervention, counseling, advocacy, education, and research across a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, private practices, and community programs. (Adapted from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology)

  • SLPs support individuals with speech disorders that affect the production of speech sounds, voice, resonance, or speech clarity.
  • SLPs also work with individuals who stutter with the aim to reduce the impact of stuttering on the lives of people who stutter.
  • SLPs assess and treat language disorders that affect understanding and expressing thoughts, ideas, and feelings. Language may be spoken, written, signed, or supported through gestures and alternative forms of communication. SLPs also support individuals who have difficulty using language effectively in social situations.
  • SLPs work with individuals who experience social communication challenges, including difficulty adjusting communication for different people, environments, and situations. These challenges may occur in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other developmental or acquired conditions.
  • SLPs also support individuals with cognitive-communication disorders, which may affect attention, memory, organization, problem solving, reasoning, and executive functioning. These challenges may occur following stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological disease, or dementia.
  • SLPs facilitate the assessment and management of feeding and swallowing disorders (dysphagia) across the lifespan. Dysphagia may occur in medically complex infants, as well as in individuals with neurologic impairment, postoperative complications, cerebrovascular accidents, or traumatic injury.
  • Additionally, SLPs support individuals with hearing loss or auditory processing differences by helping maximize communication access and participation across listening environments.

To practice as a speech-language pathologist, a Master’s degree is required. Graduates of the speech-language pathology program at Duquesne University meet the academic and clinical education requirements for state licensure and are eligible to pursue the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). To practice in Pennsylvania, and many other states, state licensure is required. Graduates of the speech-language pathology program at Duquesne University meet all academic and clinical education requirements and are eligible to apply for licensure to practice in Pennsylvania. Please check with individual states for their licensure requirements. Additionally, Pennsylvania requires specialized certification for speech-language pathologists working in public school settings. Graduates of the speech-language pathology program at Duquesne University meet all academic and clinical education requirements and are eligible to apply for school employment certification in Pennsylvania. Please check with individual states for their school certification requirements.

Speech-Language Pathology Program Outcomes

  • The graduate portion of the program (also known as the professional phase) is six semesters long over two calendar years.  100% of our graduates in the last three years completed the program within the expected six semesters.
  • To earn the ASHA Certification of Clinical Competence students must pass a national examination (often referred to as the Praxis Exam).  Duquesne's three-year average pass rate is 100%.

Upon completion of the Speech-Language Pathology program students will:

  1. Acquire professional practice competencies·      
  2. Develop foundations of speech-language pathology practice·      
  3. Identify and prevent speech, language, and swallowing disorders and differences·      
  4. Conduct and interpret evaluations of speech, language, and swallowing disorders and differences·      
  5. Provide intervention to minimize the effects of changes in speech, language, and swallowing mechanisms·      
  6. Integrate and apply general knowledge and skills applicable to professional practice

Speech-Language Pathology Curriculum

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences- 123 Credits

Pre-Professional Phase

Bridges Common Learning Experience- 22 Credits

  • Writing & Analysis (BRDG 101) 3 cr.
  • Writing & Literature (BRDG 102) 3 cr.
  • IPE Health Research Skills (BRDG 103) 1 cr.
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning (BRDG 105) 3 cr.
  • Essential Questions (EQ XXX) 3 cr.
  • PHIL-coded course 3 cr.
  • THEO-coded course 3 cr.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving 3 cr.

Science, Math & Humanities- 26/27 Credits

  • Introduction to Life Processes/Lab (BIOL 101/101L) 4/0 cr.
  • Anatomy & Physiology I/Lab (BIOL 207/208) 3/1 cr.
  • Health Care Ethics (HCE 255, PHIL 252, THEO 253) 3 cr.
  • Introduction to Biostatistics (MATH 225) 3 cr.
  • Biostatistics II (MATH 335) 3 cr.
  • Chemistry/Physics (CHEM or PHYS, 100-200 level) 3/4cr.
  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101) 3 cr.
  • Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence (PSYC 225W) 3 cr.

Communication & Education- 9 Credits

  • Intercultural Communication (COMM 407) 3 cr.
  • Exploring Inclusive Practices (GSPE 501) 3 cr.
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (GSPE 603) 3 cr.

RSHS Courses- 34 Credits

  • Introduction to Communication Sciences & Disorders (SLP 101) 3 cr.
  • Speech and Language Development (SLP 205W) 3 cr.
  • Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Hearing (SLP 250) 3 cr.
  • Speech Science (SLP 310) 3 cr.
  • Introduction to Audiology (SLP 313) 3 cr.
  • Phonetics (SLP 320) 3 cr.
  • Clinical Procedures & Observation in SLP (SLP 350) 3 cr.
  • Neuroscience (HLTS 403) 4 cr.
  • Required Open Elective 3 cr.
  • Required Open Elective 3 cr.
  • Required Open Elective 3 cr.
Professional Phase

Fall of 4th Year- 17 Credits

  • Counseling (SLP 501) 2 cr.
  • Special Topics Seminar (SLP 502) 1 cr.
  • Speech Production Disorders (SLP 505) 3 cr.
  • Assessment (SLP 510) 3 cr.
  • Developmental Language Disorders & Autism I (SLP 526) 3 cr.
  • Acquired Language Disorders (SLP 530) 3 cr.
  • Clinic I (SLP 540W) 2 cr.

Spring of 4th Year- 16 Credits

  • Stuttering (SLP 517) 3 cr. 
  • Neurocognitive Disorders (SLP 535) 3 cr.
  • Developmental Language Disorders & Autism II (SLP 536) 3 cr.
  • Clinic II (SLP 541W) 2 cr.
  • Dysphagia (SLP 550) 3 cr.
  • Clinical Seminar in Professional Issues & Ethics (SLP 571) 2 cr.

Summer of 4th Year- 10/11 Credits

  • Research in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP 515W) 3 cr.
  • Clinic III (SLP 542) 2 cr.
  • Augmentative & Alternative Communication with Lab (SLP 555) 3 cr.
  • Medical Speech-Language Pathology Seminar (SLP 573) 2 cr.
  • Thesis I (optional) (SLP 700) 1 cr. 

Fall of 5th Year- 11 Credits

  • Motor Speech Disorders (SLP 525) 3 cr.
  • Clinic IV (SLP 543)  5 cr. (4 cr. if Thesis)
  • Voice Disorders (SLP 554) 3 cr.
  • Thesis II (optional) (SLP 710) 1 cr.

Spring of 5th Year- 11 Credits

  • Aural Rehabilitation (SLP 520) 3 cr.
  • Clinic V (SLP 544) 5 cr. (4 cr. if Thesis)
  • Craniofacial Disorders & Pediatric Feeding Disorders (SLP 556) 3 cr.
  • Thesis II (optional) (SLP 710) 1 cr.

Summer of 5th Year- 9 Credits

  • Clinic VI (SLP 545) 3 cr.
  • Intercultural and Global Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP 558) 2 cr.
  • Business Practices in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP 559) 2 cr.
  • Capstone in Evidence Based Practice (SLP 575) 2 cr. (1cr. if Thesis)
  • Thesis III (optional) (SLP 720) 1 cr.

Speech-Language Pathology Graduation Requirements

Entry-Level Master's Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences

An undergraduate student in the entry-level doctoral degree program who has completed all requirements with the minimum 3.0 cumulative Duquesne University GPA will receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. A student who has already earned a bachelor’s degree will not be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree but will work directly toward the Master's degree.

Master's Degree

A student who has completed 74-75 credits and all requirements, including successfully completed all clinical education requirements, in the Speech-Language Pathology program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate QPA will receive a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology degree.

Certification & Licensure

In order to practice in the United States, speech-language pathologists must typically hold national certification in the form of the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The CCC will be awarded by ASHA (ASHA Membership & Certification) following completion of academic and clinical education, completion of a nine-month full-time clinical fellowship, and receipt of a passing score on the national examination in speech-language pathology (Praxis Speech-Language Pathology 5331 exam by the Educational Testing Service, ETS). Speech-Language Pathology students may sit for their examination at a testing time preceding or after graduation. Additionally, most states require that speech-language pathologists are licensed, certified, or registered according to state law. Students are responsible for contacting the appropriate state professional practice boards for additional information and applications. In Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

In order to work in public schools, most states require speech-language pathologists to hold state Board of Education certification in their area of specialization. In Pennsylvania, individuals wishing to work in the public school system must earn a degree from a Department of Education approved program, pass the Praxis Speech-Language Pathology exam (0331) by ETS, and, depending on which certificate is sought, may need to take additional examinations. The Department maintains listings of these potentially required examinations. The Speech-Language Pathology program at Duquesne University is a state-approved program.