Drawing from linguistics, psychology, physiology, and physical science, the field of communicative sciences and disorders is dedicated to understanding and minimizing the impact of disordered speech, language, hearing, and swallowing processes in children and adults. In this master's degree program, you'll learn from and collaborate with leaders in the field and gain hands-on clinical experience. This degree leads to eligibility for professional licensure as a speech-language pathologist.
Our program is offered in two modalities: on-campus and online. The application materials and adjudication are equivalent across the two modalities; however, the application process differs for each. This application is for the on-campus option only. If you would like to apply to the online modality, please visit the online program application. Candidates can only have one active application to NYU Steinhardt during each admission cycle. In other words, candidates can either have an on-campus application open or an online application open, but not both.
See the curriculum and degree requirements for the MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Our program offers three available tracks, including:
Standard Track:
The Standard Track is the most common program track selected, in which students complete the graduate program in 6-8 terms depending on the number of outstanding foundation courses a student must complete. For students with all foundation courses complete, the standard track is typically 6 terms. Students can opt into the track following the deposit deadline. No action is needed to indicate interest in this track during the application process.
Intensive Track:
Students entering the program with all foundation courses waived or completed prior to beginning their first term may be eligible for the Intensive Track. The Intensive Track allows students to complete the graduate program in 5 terms. Students balance both academic and clinical responsibilities by taking an increased number of credits each term and entering the Practicum sequence in their first semester. Students can opt into this track following the deposit deadline. Final acceptance determined by meeting additional eligibility requirements before the start of their first term.
Please note: Students who join the Intensive Track are not eligible to enroll into the Bilingual Extension Track as this track is a minimum of 6 terms.
Bilingual Extension Track:
The Bilingual Extension Track (BET) includes coursework and clinical experiences required for NYS Education Department’s Teacher for Students with Speech and Language Disabilities-Bilingual Extension (TSSLD-BE) certification. The NYSED TSSLD-BE is designed for bilingual or multilingual students admitted to the MS in CSD program, who intend to work in NYS with linguistically minoritized populations between the ages of 3-21 years. This program has limitations in size, with caps imposed every semester. Acceptances are determined on a lottery basis. Completion of the questions in the application, confirms potential interest in the BET and entry into the lottery. You will learn about your status in the BET following the deposit deadline. Please review the BET webpage to learn more about the requirements of this track.
Official Degree Title
Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Degree
MS
Application Deadline
Fall Start:
January 1
Plan Code
CSDM
Subplan Code
BIL001
(Bilingual Extension Track)
Credits
48
Format
Full-time
Contact
Tips for Applying to Graduate School
As you begin crafting your application, explore our tips for applying to graduate school for information on starting the process, managing deadlines and letters of recommendation, and navigating the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).
Admissions Requirements
Each year, NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders welcomes several dozen college graduates from science and other liberal arts backgrounds from across the country to join its MS program. Applicants must have been conferred a bachelor’s degree prior to their first semester of enrollment in order to apply to the MS program.
If you do not have a background in communicative sciences and disorders, you may be required to take additional foundational course work. All foundation courses are necessary for New York State licensure and ASHA certification. These foundation courses do not carry graduate credit for the MS degree. Please see the CSD Foundation Courses section of the Curriculum webpage to learn more about how you can meet the requirement.
It is recommended that applicants meet at least one of the following grade point average (GPA) requirements, based on a 4.0 scale:
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for baccalaureate studies
- A minimum 3.2 GPA in any communicative sciences and disorders foundation courses you have taken
In evaluating applications, we examine prospective students holistically taking all application components into account.
Priority Deadline Option for Current NYU Undergraduates ONLY
Students who have completed, are enrolled, and/or will be enrolled in three or more undergraduate NYU CSD courses (or the equivalent) by the end of the upcoming Spring semester have the option to apply for early admission into the MS degree. The application for the upcoming Fall semester is due on November 15 the year prior to the start of the program.
Students who select this option will be informed of their admission decision by the end of December. Accepted students will have until the regular deposit deadline (April 15) to submit their deposit. Financial aid packages will not be fully available until mid-March.
NYU Steinhardt's undergraduates are not required to apply for the priority deadline option and are welcome to submit their graduate application on the regular admission date of January 2.
For undergraduate students who do choose to apply for the priority deadline, their CSD courses will be confirmed via transcript review during the application process. Please note that the Department reserves the right to revoke admission, as acceptance into the program is contingent upon satisfactory course completion, which will be determined by a review of final course grades.
Observation Hours Guidelines
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to complete all 25 hours of guided observations prior to entering the Graduate Program. Although not a requirement for acceptance into the program, students must complete these hours before they start Practicum I (Fall 2025 for students who choose the intensive track). A minimum of 13 out of the 25 guided observation hours must be completed outside of our department. Students can only apply a maximum of 12 hours via recorded observations (e.g., Master Clinician Network or SimuCase observation hours) to their total 25 required observation hours. Licensed and certified speech-language pathologists (CCC-SLP) must supervise all guided observation hours. The hours can be earned with individuals across the life span in any setting. Completed observation hours from a required course at the undergraduate or post-baccalaureate level may be submitted. All observation hours earned on or after January 1, 2021 must be completed under a CCC-SLP meeting the 2020 ASHA standards; specifically, the supervisory requirement. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the SLP they are observing has met the 2020 ASHA standard.
Re-Application Guidelines
Candidates who have previously applied to NYU's MS in CSD program (on-campus and/or online) are required to submit an additional supplemental essay in addition to the standard application materials. Additionally, candidates must disclose prior applications and decisions from NYU on any future applications to NYU regardless of the modality of their prior application. Please see the Documents tab in CSDCAS for detailed instructions.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants and the English Proficiency Exam section in the table below.
Applications must be fully verified in CSDCAS by Sunday, January 26, 2025. Your application in CSDCAS will require the following items: personal statement, a CV/resume, and one supplemental essay. If you are re-applying, you are also required to include a reapplication essay.
1. Prepare Your Application
Preparing Your Application
Prior to applying, prospective students are encouraged to view our Tips for Applying to Graduate School. These resources and videos contain a wealth of helpful information, including how to start your application, identifying letter of recommendation writers, and how to create the best application.
Document Preparation
All documents should be double-spaced, in 12 point font, with 1-inch margins, including your last name and document title on the top right-hand corner (e.g., Doe, Personal Statement). As you upload each document, please make sure each document is labeled accordingly. The accepted file formats are MSWord (.doc, .docx), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Portable Document Format (.pdf), and ASCII Text file (.txt).
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee at New York University. Your statement should describe your motivation for pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as your goals, interests, and career plans. We are also interested to learn which personal characteristics and experiences you believe will make you a successful graduate student at New York University. When applicable, the Personal Statement is also an opportunity to provide or include context to further explain aspects of your application.
(2-page maximum)
Résumé/CV
Please upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae.
(2-page maximum, does not need to be double-spaced or have 1-inch margins)
Letters of Recommendation
You are required to submit a minimum of two, and a maximum of three letters of recommendation. Two letters must come from academic sources. An academic letter of recommendation is from a professor, clinical instructor, and/or academic advisor from your undergraduate or post-secondary institution, or post-baccalaureate coursework. A third academic or professional letter of recommendation can also be submitted. The recommender should provide insight into your academic preparation and performance. Only three letters of recommendation will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee encourages you to waive your right to view your letter of recommendation.
A professional letter of recommendation may be accepted in place of an academic source for those who have been out of school for five or more years.
You will submit the names and contact information for up to three references, who will then be notified to submit letters of recommendation via CSDCAS.
Transcripts
Request one official transcript from every postsecondary school you have attended to be mailed to CSDCAS by the institution's registrar. Make sure to request them well in advance of the deadline.
Supplemental Essay
Please answer one of the two essay prompt options below.
- Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are called upon to be culturally responsive practitioners. Practicing from a culturally responsive lens involves integrating clients' lived experiences and identities (e.g., race, language, ethnicity, gender, ability, etc) into assessment and intervention contexts. Explain how your prior life experiences have contributed to your understanding of cultural responsiveness and how you plan to continue learning about culturally responsive service delivery.
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
(one-page maximum)
Re-Application Essay
Re-Application Essay: If you are reapplying to NYU Steinhardt's CSD Program, please briefly describe the steps you have taken to strengthen your application since your last submission. Please include when you applied and what modality (on-campus or online).
(one-page maximum)
GRE
Not required.
English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
Please refer to Special Instructions for All International Applicants.
Official Tests and Minimum Scores:
If your native language is not English, you must submit results from one of the following English proficiency exams:
- Test of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TOEFL): Successful candidates typically score a 100 or higher on the Internet-based exam or 600 or higher on the paper-based exam.
- Please use the CSDCAS-wide TOEFL code C122 when reporting your score. Do not send TOEFL scores to NYU Steinhardt.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Successful candidates typically achieve a band score of 7 or higher.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic): Successful candidates typically score between a 68 - 70 or higher.
- Duolingo English Test: Successful candidates typically score 120 or higher.
Official English Proficiency Scores are valid for two years from the date they are taken. If your scores have expired before you apply, you must retake the exam.
If you submit scores from more than one of the exams, all of your scores will be available to the Admissions Committee.
Please see the Documents tab in CSDCAS for detailed instructions regarding both the required and supplemental application materials.
2. Apply
CSDCAS Application
You will apply through CSDCAS only. You do not need to fill out a separate NYU Steinhardt application.
(The CSDCAS application portal is for our on-campus program. See Speech@NYU to apply for our online program.)
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in March or early April for Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Application Policies
It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted through CSDCAS by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check your CSDCAS account to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application and that it is fully verified by Sunday, January 26, 2025. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the Admissions Committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.
Admissions Policy
It is the Department of CSD's policy that admitted students cannot switch between modalities. Students who wish to switch from one academic modality (online to on-campus or vice-versa) must withdraw their applications and re-apply to the other modality.
Requests for exceptions to this policy must be formally submitted in writing to the department chair and director of the master of science program detailing the extenuating circumstances which make a modality transfer necessary. Requests for exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed to be granted.
Candidates can only have one active application to NYU Steinhardt during each admission cycle. In other words, candidates can either have an on-campus application open or an online application open, but not both.
Financial Aid
In order to be considered for financial aid, you must submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the appropriate deadline. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their FAFSA before receiving a decision from the program. Please visit the Steinhardt Financial Aid page for detailed information. There are several scholarships and grants available through Steinhardt. Most of these have a deadline and require a separate application. Many of these deadlines are before you will receive a decision from the program. Do not wait for your decision before submitting.