Academic Catalog

Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP

The Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP is designed to prepare students to excel academically and professionally by providing a rigorous, holistic and comprehensive experience that will establish a foundation necessary for their success in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.

Students who complete the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP are eligible to pursue two career options:

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) are support personnel who, following academic coursework, fieldwork, and on-the-job training, perform tasks prescribed, directed, and supervised by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

The Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP provides students with all of the necessary content-specific coursework required to become an SLPA. Completion of SLPA Practicum 1 and 2 fulfills the academic equivalent of the ASHA Assistant Modules, the prerequisite courses, the clinical field work requirement, and prepares students to take the SLPA national exam.

 

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are healthcare professionals who identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems as well as swallowing disorders.

The Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP provides all of the content-specific coursework that CAA accredited graduate programs require for admission. Required observation hours (a minimum of 25) are also integrated into the program. 

 

Curriculum highlights:

Courses can be taken as a full certificate, with up to 9 transfer credits; in order to be considered for transfer credit, the course must:

  1. Be equivalent to an SLP prerequisite in terms of content
  2. The student must have received a B- or higher

Courses can also be taken a la carte with coordinator approval. Non-certificate students wishing to take the SLPA Practicum courses must meet the following criteria:

  1. Completed bachelor’s degree in CSD
  1. Students should have received a B- or higher in SLP prerequisite courses, with no more than two C grades. Students who are in the process of re-taking necessary courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The full certificate is 30-34 credits and can be completed in approximately 1 year of study.

 

SLP Graduate Admissions

Eligible students accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP who successfully complete the certificate, submit a complete application, and meet the program  prerequisite requirements will be guaranteed an interview to the Salus SLP graduate program.

Students accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher from their undergraduate institution will be automatically accepted into the SLP graduate program upon completion of the certificate, given the following conditions are met:

  1. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate coursework
  2. Earn a grade of "A-" or higher in Intro to Patient Care 1 & 2

Admissions

Salus University's Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP accepts applications online through the GradCAS application service.

The intended program start date of the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP is July of each year (September start is possible with permission from program). Applications received on or before June 1 of the year of desired enrollment are given priority consideration. 

   Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

   Review and selection begin after applicants submit all the necessary documents via the GradCAS application service.

   To receive priority consideration, applicants are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application requirements as soon as possible.

   During the review process for the certificate program, the academic background of the applicant is assessed to determine academic eligibility and the evaluation includes an interview with the program director. 

   Selected courses in the Post-Baccalaureate Program are open to non-degree seeking students wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in the health sciences. 

Criteria

All applicants to the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP must hold a Bachelor's degree, or its international equivalent, from an accredited institution.

An overall GPA of 2.70 or higher is recommended for application to this program.

To Be Considered an Applicant Must:

   Submit a completed application through GradCAS, which includes a non-refundable fee of $138.00. Payment may be made through the GradCAS application portal. 

   Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or currently attending) directly to GradCAS. Final transcripts indicating Bachelor’s degree conferred are required prior to the start of the program.

   Note: if an applicant has applied to a Salus University degree program within the current application cycle, and there have been no changes to their academic record, previously submitted transcripts may be used toward the certificate program application. Please check with the Office of Admissions in order to determine if official transcripts will need to be submitted once again.

   Complete the following short answer essays (maximum 250 words each):

   Describe how participation in the Post-Baccalaureate Program will benefit your career goals in the field of speech-language pathology.

   In what ways do you expect your particular skills, experience and perspective to contribute to the field of speech-language pathology? 

   Submit one letter of recommendation through the GradCAS application portal from an individual who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality, such as a professor or supervisor. 

   Submit a CV/Resume through the GradCAS application portal. This should include the applicant’s education, work experience, publications, honors or achievements, and community/extracurricular activities to date. 

   Applicants seeking to matriculate into the certificate program must complete a successful face-to-face or online interview with the program director. 

   Students who wish to earn a certificate must meet the requirements for clinical observation (e.g., background checks) prior to registration for Introduction to Patient Care I. 

       International Students, please review any additional

         requirements below.

   All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the University and cannot be returned.

   Students will be required to meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.

International Students

Important information for international students:

Please be aware that Salus University cannot issue student visas for the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP. International students who already possess an appropriate visa in order to study in the United States may apply to the program and are responsible for ensuring that the visa is valid for the duration of the program.

International Transcripts

For applicants who have attended foreign and French-Canadian schools, please provide the Office of Admissions with the following information: 

A course-by-course credential review from a NACES recognized agency which evidences all post-secondary studies completed.  Please consult the agency’s web site for requirements to complete the evaluation. 

   Recommended agencies include:

   World Education Services

   SpanTran

   An official credential evaluation (not a copy) must be sent from the evaluation service directly to: Office of Admissions, Salus University, 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.

   Applicants also have the option to submit their credential evaluation directly to GradCAS.  If you choose this option, please view GradCAS foreign transcripts instructions for more details.

English Language Proficiency

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in a Salus University academic program as well as to help ensure patient/client/student safety and/or effective communication with members of a healthcare or education team.

Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.

While we recommend that applicants submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:

1. successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or

2. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program

*Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.

Admissions Selection Process

For more information regarding the admissions selection, interview and matriculation process, please refer to the Salus website.

SLP Graduate Program

Students accepted into the Post-Baccalaureate Program SLP Track with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher from their undergraduate institution will be automatically accepted into the SLP graduate program upon completion of the PBP SLP Track certificate, given the following conditions are met:

   Maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher in the PBP coursework

   Earn a grade of "A-" or higher in Intro to Patient Care 1 & 2

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Selected courses in the Post-Baccalaureate Program in SLP are open to non-degree seeking students wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in speech-language pathology.

All courses may be taken on an a la carte basis, except for Introduction to Patient Care I & II and Career Guidance & Academic Success. The maximum credit total allowed as a non-certificate seeking student is 24 credits.

For more information, refer to the Non-degree Seeking Student section of the website.

 

Curriculum

First Year

Summer Session 2 (1Q-1D)

SLP-3001General Biology

3

SLP-3002Introduction to Biophysics

3

Total Credit Hours:6

Fall Semester (2S)

SLP-3003Health Psychology

3

SLP-3100Introduction to Communication Disorders

3

SLP-3101Phonetics

2

SLP-3102Speech and Hearing Science

3

SLP-4030Introduction to Patient Care I

1

SLP-4040Career Guidance & Academic Success

0

Total Credit Hours:12

Spring Semester (4S)

SLP-3004Biostatistics for Health Professionals

3

SLP-3103Introduction to Audiology

2

SLP-3104Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism

3

SLP-3105Speech and Language Development

3

SLP-4031Introduction to Patient Care II

1

SLP-4041Career Guidance & Academic Success

0

Total Credit Hours:12

 

 

Additional Courses - Require Program Director Approval

SLP-4930SLPA Practicum 1

2

SLP-4931SLPA Practicum 2

2

Total Credit Hours:4

 

 

Total Credit Hours: 34.00