Gwynedd Mercy University 2025-2026 University Catalog 258
commitment to academic and clinical excellence by delivering a high-quality curriculum that prepares students to provide evidence-based, client and family-centered speech-language pathology services to diverse populations in a variety of professional settings. Graduates of the Gwynedd Mercy MSSLP program enter the profession equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to cultivate successful, meaningful careers as practitioners and leaders in the field of speech-language pathology.
Program Learning Outcomes: PLO1 Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into professional speechlanguage pathology practice with diverse populations in a variety of professional practice settings. PLO2 Students will demonstrate the ability to understand and apply the scientific and research bases of the speech-language pathology profession in order to be knowledgeable consumers of the research literature and engage in evidence-based speech-language pathology practice. PLO3 Students will demonstrate the ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent communication and swallowing disorders within a range of clinical education experiences. PLO4 Students will effectively use all forms of expressive communication including verbal, written, and nonverbal to communicate with colleagues, patients, clients, family members, caregivers, and community members. PLO5 Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and acknowledge cultural and linguistic variables and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within speech-language pathology practice. PLO6 Students will apply professional practice competencies including, but not limited to, accountability, compassion, clinical reasoning, integrity, collaborative practice, and professional duty.
Academic Criteria for Admission, Progression, and Retention
Admission Criteria:
• Completed Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service( CSDCAS) application
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of ≥ 3.00 on a 4.0 scale with all prerequisites completed
• Strong Letters of Recommendation from Academic and Professional Contacts
• Well-written Personal Essay
• Strong performance in an interview with the SLP Graduate Admissions Committee
• GREs are not required
Prerequisites: Applicants must complete undergraduate prerequisite courses in two general categories:
• Communication sciences and disorders( CSD)/ speech-language pathology( SLP) coursework & observation hours
• General academic undergraduate prerequisite coursework required by the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association( ASHA)
CSD / SLP Prerequisite Coursework & Observation Hours In order to be eligible for admission to the GMercyU MSSLP Program, students must complete CSD / SLP undergraduate coursework. Students can either earn a bachelor’ s in CSD / SLP OR complete postbachelor’ s prerequisite coursework such as classes offered in an SLP prerequisite or bridge program. Students who have not completed a bachelor ' s degree in CSD or SLP must complete prerequisite coursework in the following course areas:
• Phonetics