Speech-Language Pathology Program Achieves Accreditation Milestone to Begin Enrolling Students This Fall
DeSales University is adding yet another in-demand health care program to its top-rated repertoire — one that our patron, Saint Francis de Sales, has a special connection to as the patron saint of hearing and the deaf.
The Master of Science in speech-language pathology program has officially achieved candidacy status from the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. This candidacy accreditation cycle is effective through Jan. 1, 2027. The awarding of candidacy status allows DeSales to enroll students in the graduate program this fall.
Students can earn a Master of Science in speech-language pathology, a traditional Bachelor of Arts in communication sciences and disorders, or apply for the accelerated BS to MS (3+2) program. The program will also offer a minor in communication sciences and disorders, as well as several advantageous career tracks.
“Speech-language pathology consistently ranks near the top in surveys of meaningful careers,” says Susana Keller, program director of communication sciences and disorders and speech-language pathology.
The need for speech-language pathologists continues to increase much faster than average with growth expected at 25% nationally through 2029. Keller says the new program blends together multiple critical factors needed for clinical excellence and academic innovation.
“All the components that make up our program — from our Salesian mission to the extraordinary academic and clinical resources — means the DeSales speech-language pathology graduate will be confident, mission-driven, and highly skilled,” she says.
The program will be housed in the newly-renovated Wills Hall, which is equipped with classrooms, research labs, an assessment library, and an instrumentation lab. It also will have an on-site speech clinic, which will serve the Lehigh Valley. The program is now enrolling students for the fall semester of 2022.
