Bridge Program
The Bridge program offers the required prerequisite Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) courses online each semester to help prepare students who hold a bachelor's degree to qualify for admission to most SLP master's programs, including McDaniel's new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Applications for McDaniel's M.S. in SLP program will open in CDSCAS in July 18, 2026, for the first cohort slated to begin in summer 2027.
Who Should Apply to the Bridge Program?
Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in a field other than Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) or Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and who need to complete prerequisite courses for admission consideration to the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology will have the option to join our SLP Bridge Program and take prerequisite courses online.
To apply to begin bridge courses, students should complete McDaniel's non-degree course application.
Students may apply to the M.S. in SLP program through the traditional entry process (CSDCAS.org) with up to three outstanding SLP prerequisite courses. However, if admitted, those students must meet all admission requirements and complete all prerequisites before enrollment in the M.S. in SLP.
Students who take three or more bridge courses at McDaniel and meet all other minimum requirements for admission are guaranteed an admission interview for our M.S. in SLP program.
Bridge Program Eligibility
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-CSD field may apply as a non-degree-seeking student for our SLP Bridge Program. The bridge program allows students to complete required prerequisites, making them eligible for admission consideration for most Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology programs, including McDaniel's new M.S. in SLP program, beginning in summer 2027.
Admissions Requirements
Students must have earned a bachelor's degree and completed the following foundational prerequisite courses in addition to the SLP bridge courses in order to be considered for admission to McDaniel's M.S. in SLP program.
Foundational Prerequisites
- One course each in:
- Biological Sciences (human- or animal-focused recommended)
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry or Physics required)
- Social and/or Behavioral Science (i.e., Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Culture, or Ethics; Lifespan Psychology is recommended)
- Statistics
Please note: Classes taken at the high school level are not eligible to meet this requirement, with the exception of Advanced Placement (AP) courses that appear for credit on your college/university transcript. Coursework in the areas of biological sciences, physical sciences, social/behavioral sciences, and statistics cannot be related to speech-language pathology, audiology, communication sciences, hearing sciences, or logopedia unless they fulfill a university or college general education requirement and are available to students who are not majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology.
SLP Content Prerequisites
The bridge program offers online courses to satisfy the SLP content prerequisites for entry into the M.S. in SLP program. The following courses are offered on a rotating basis each summer, fall, and spring.
- Introduction to Communication Disorders
- Phonetics
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech and Communication Sciences
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Neurology of the Communication Mechanisms
- Audiology
- Aural Rehabilitation*
The courses listed above may have different titles at other schools. McDaniel will accept prerequisites from courses that clearly provide coverage of the content areas above. Course syllabi may be required to approve prerequisite equivalency.
*Students may complete the Aural Rehabilitation course as part of our Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, if admitted.
McDaniel's bridge courses are delivered online. Students may take any of the prerequisites from any accredited college or university to qualify for admission to McDaniel's M.S. in SLP program. Students who complete three or more bridge courses at McDaniel and who meet all other admission requirements will be guaranteed an admission interview for the M.S. in SLP.
Bridge Courses Offered Summer, Fall, and Spring
SLP Bridge courses are offered online on a rotating basis — summer, fall, and spring semesters — in eight-week sessions. This allows a student to take two courses per semester while focusing on one content area at a time. Six required content courses can be completed within a year.
To apply to begin bridge courses, complete the non-degree course application. For more information, please contact gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu.
How to Apply
To apply to begin Bridge courses complete the non-degree course application. For more information about this option, please contact gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu.
Non-Degree Course ApplicationAdditional Admissions Requirements
The Bridge courses at McDaniel provide the Speech-Language Pathology foundation content required to gain entry into most graduate SLP programs. However, all programs may also have additional admission requirements, including a minimum of 25 hours of observation under the supervision of a CCC-SLP.
SLP Admissions RequirementsHow to Apply
To apply to begin Bridge courses complete the non-degree course application. For more information about this option, please contact gpsadvising@mcdaniel.edu.
Non-Degree Course ApplicationAdditional Admissions Requirements
The Bridge courses at McDaniel provide the Speech-Language Pathology foundation content required to gain entry into most graduate SLP programs. However, all programs may also have additional admission requirements, including a minimum of 25 hours of observation under the supervision of a CCC-SLP.
SLP Admissions Requirements