<p>I am at a loss regarding how to weigh in on my DD’s decision-making regarding which graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology to attend.</p>
<p>She has heard confusing advice about whether or not it matters what graduate school you graduate from. She is deciding between Adelphi in Garden City (excellent reputation) and Touro in Brooklyn (not sure about reputation).</p>
<p>She would prefer living in Manhatten (doable if she went to Touro) but is having trouble deciding if which grad school you attend in this field matters a whole lot…or if you just need your SLP certification?</p>
<p>Are all grad schools more or less the same if they are accredited by ASHA - or will she come out a more knowledgeable, better prepared clinician if she attends a more respected program?</p>
<p>Any opinions from practicing SLPs, graduates of either program…or anybody that can help solve this dilemma is much appreciated!</p>
<p>Have to match schools with your pocketbook too. If the two schools cost about same go to higher ranked school…if you can save a bunch of money attending lower ranked school, don’t rule it out because you’ll complete basically same ASHA approved curriculum at either school.</p>
<p>Once more with vigor, Questbest. Your daughter needs to attend a grad program which is accredited by the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Those programs have strict standards which they must adhere to in terms of student preparation. By graduating from an ASHA accredited grad school, your daughter should fulfill the requirements for the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. The requirements for the CCC are pretty much the same as for state licensure most anywhere. </p>
<p>As Lizard says, the course requirements will be much the same regardless of the ASHA accredited school.</p>
<p>There are knowledgable and well prepared clinicians at ALL programs, not just the “big names”. </p>
<p>As an FYI, Adelphi has been accredited since the early 1970’s. Touro since 2000 or so. But both ARE accredited programs. </p>
<p>Is she picking her program based on the strength of the program? OR is she picking her program based on being able to live in Manhattan? She needs to answer that question.</p>
<p>There was a recent thread with this exact same question and I was going to link it for the OP, and then I saw that this is the same OP! I can only assume that the opinions expressed there, including mine as a working SLP, were determined by the OP to have no value?</p>
<p>Once again, it matters not at all what program you attend, what matters is that the program is accredited by ASHA and that you complete the requirements for your CCC (requirements which include a clinical fellowship year after you obtain your masters degree).</p>
<p>New York state is fortunate having 25 colleges with ASHA accredited SLP master’s programs…2 additional colleges too that are candidates for accreditation, Florida only has 7 colleges with accredited programs…1 additional college has new program just starting and they are seeking eventual accreditation. Florida has larger population than New York now…we could use more opportunities for those wanting to become SLPs in Florida. </p>
<p>Lizard, I hear that all the time from Florida SLP friends. They say there is a huge shortage there, as elsewhere. But that is a small number of programs. I know some of thee programs in NY state are small. I wonder what the size of those FL programs is!</p>
<p>I am actually interested in this question as well. (I did not see the other thread). To clarify: Thumper, Alamemom and others, are you saying that <em>employers</em> don’t care at all where you got your degree? </p>
<p>What I gather from your opinions is that all ASHA SLP programs are essentially the same. Is that true? Also, is there even such a thing as an unaccredited SLP grad program? I looked, briefly, but couldn’t find any such programs. Just curious. </p>
<p>I’ll give you a real rough guesstimate…please don’t anyone hold me to these numbers. UF, FSU, FIU, FAU, maybe 30 students in SLP master’s cohorts each year. USF-60 each year in cohort. UCF maybe 90/year (I think they run a couple of cohorts doing staggered semesters. Nova maybe 100 plus…Nova is only private in Florida with accredited SLP master’s program (expensive…most attend only cuz they weren’t admitted to one of state univ programs)… Saw for first time in link posted above that private Jacksonville Univ is starting a new program…I think they are just offering now post-bac prereq courses for a SLP master’s program.</p>
<p>Florida’s 67 school districts are crying to get SLPs…and private health care needs 'em too. Florida could use more SLPs! USF gets about 400 applications for its 60 spots.</p>
<p>Scubasue, in my experience, a SLP needs their CCC from ASHA, and a license to practice in THEIR state. If they wish to work in the schools, they also need state board of education certification. </p>
<p>Honestly, the college doesn’t really matter unless the SLP wants to be a college professor, in my opinion. To get the better college jobs, a speech path would want a doctorate from the best possible program to enhance job prospects.</p>
<p>But for other SLP jobs, not necessary to go to the tippy top schools. The accredited schools are all required to meet the same course requirements and practicum times. To be certified by ASHA, one MUST complete a clinical fellowship year following the masters program. This is done while employed at your first job…and you MUST be supervised by an ASHA certified SLP for the full year. </p>
<p>I’m not familiar with EVERY college program, but there used to be programs that were not accredited by ASHA. To be honest, I’m not sure many exist now, but folks should check! </p>
<p>Another FYI, there is precious little one can do with a bachelors in speech pathology. The entry level degree for employment is a masters.</p>
<p>If you go to the American Speech Language Hearing Association website, and go to the area for,the public,mthere is a section for prospective students. Lots of information there!</p>
<p>^ Thank you. Been to the ASHA site many times, but I was just curious about whether or not employers have preferences for graduates from some programs over others. </p>
<p>I was part of an interviewing committee for public school positions many times. We looked at the grades the student had, and their licenses and certifications, and letters of reference. Honestly, we didn’t much care about the college.</p>
<p>Scuba, I’m sure there are some folks out there who would look at the school pedigree. But really, speech pathology is an area of shortage. A competent and well trained speech path can come from any university.</p>