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 online option only. If you would like to apply to the on-campus modality, please visit the on-campus How to Apply page. 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 popular 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 foundations complete the standard track would be 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 by balancing a high number of credits during the program and entering the Practicum sequence in their first semester. Students can opt into the track following the deposit deadline, with final acceptance determined by meeting additional eligibility requirements including: an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above; completion of all ASHA prerequisite courses and foundation courses before the first term; completion of pre-clinical requirements (outlined during onboarding process); and attendance at an Intensive Track Pre-Entry Advising Meeting. Intensive Track spots are limited and therefore entry in this track is not guaranteed. If the cap is met, then acceptances into this track will be determined on a lottery basis. No action is needed to indicate interest in this track during the application process. Students who join the Intensive Track are not eligible to enroll into the Bilingual Extension Track.
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.
We also offer an on-campus MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders.
Official Degree Title
Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders
Degree
MS
Plan Code
CSDM
Credits
48
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Contact
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.
Observation Hours Guidelines
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to complete all 25 hours of guided observations prior to entering the Graduate Program. In addition to being an ASHA requirement, observation hours provide applicants the opportunity to learn about the profession, the potential clients they may be treating, and different supervisory styles. Although not a requirement for acceptance into the program, students are required to complete all 25 observation hours before they start Practicum I (Fall 2024 for students who choose the intensive track).
A minimum of 12 out of the 25 guided observation hours must be completed outside of the department. Students will have the opportunity to earn the remaining observation hours through the department.
All guided observation hours must be supervised by licensed and certified speech-language pathologists (SLP). 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 an SLP who has met 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 a 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.
1. Prepare Your Application
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee at NYU Steinhardt. 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 you believe will make you a successful graduate student at NYU Steinhardt. Your personal statement should be:
- 11-point font or greater
- 2 pages maximum
- Double-spaced with 1-inch margins
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
These two letters should come from academic references who know you and can speak to your academic qualifications in relation to your field of study. You may provide a third clinical recommendation, but it is not required.
Transcripts
Upload copies of transcripts from every postsecondary school you have attended, including study abroad programs and community college, directly into the application. Please note that unofficial transcripts must include the following:
- Name of institution
- Student name
- Student ID
- Semesters
- Course title and grade received
- Grading scale (if different than 4.0 scale)
- Level of study
- Degree conferral date (if degree granted)
If the unofficial transcripts submitted do not meet the above requirements, you will be required to submit official transcripts.
If admitted to the program, you will need to provide official transcripts. Transcripts can be sent via email to applicationservices@speech.steinhardt.nyu.edu or by mail to the following address:
New York University (NYU)
Application Processing Center
Speech@NYU
PO Box 30096 010-003
College Station, TX 77842
To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.
If you have completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the United States or Canada, you are required to provide either a WES course-by-course or an ECE course-by-course evaluation.
Enrollment Verification
If you are currently enrolled in non-matriculating classes, you will be required to submit an enrollment verification form that includes the start and end dates of the term. You can obtain this form from your registrar’s office.
Degree Conferral
If you are currently pursuing a degree, we will require a document that states the date your degree will be conferred. You can obtain this form from your registrar’s office.
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)
GRE
Effective November 18, 2021, the GRE is NOT required.
English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
These scores are only required if your native language is not English and you did not receive the equivalent of a four-year US undergraduate degree in which the main level of instruction was English.
All applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents living in the United States throughout the duration of the program. Speech@NYU’s ETS code for TOEFL scores is B498. Students living outside of the United States are not eligible for the program at this time.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application.
Non-Refundable Application Fee
A $75 non-refundable application fee is required upon submission of your application and can be paid using any major credit card.
Applicants who apply by the priority deadline will have their non-refundable application fee reduced from $75 to $45.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email.
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 program (online to on-campus or vice-versa) must withdraw their applications and re-apply to the other modality.
At the discretion of the Academic Advisor and the Admissions Committee, students admitted to the on-campus program may be eligible to switch to the online program prior to beginning their studies. Students admitted to the online program are not eligible to switch to the on-campus program given physical space limitations. Note, however, that all students admitted to the on-campus program will have the opportunity to take their prerequisite course work online.
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. Do not wait for your decision before submitting.