Traditional Entry to the Speech-Language Pathology Program
McDaniel's new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program will begin accepting applications July 18, 2026, for our first cohort to begin in May 2027. Traditional entry students will complete the program in 24 consecutive months.
Eligibility
Traditional entry is designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or Speech-Language Pathology or who hold a bachelor's degree in another major and have completed the prerequisites for admission.
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
SLP Content-Specific Prerequisites
- Phonetics
- Speech and Communication Sciences
- Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Systems
- Audiology
- Speech and Language Development
- Aural Rehabilitation is recommended but can be taken while enrolled in the master’s program at McDaniel.
Students who are in need of SLP content-specific prerequisites can consider our Bridge courses which are offered each semester — summer, fall, and spring.
For more information on acceptable courses please refer to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) description of required foundational prerequisite courses.
All courses listed above must be completed and passed at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited institution, and they must appear on your undergraduate or graduate transcripts. Students with up to three outstanding SLP prerequisites can apply and be considered for admission but must complete all courses and meet minimum requirements before beginning coursework in the graduate program.
Classes taken at the high school level are not eligible to meet these requirements, 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 general education requirement and are available to students who are not majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).
Check your Eligibility
Download and fill out our SLP Prerequisite Worksheet, then email it to admissions@mcdaniel.edu to get one-on-one advice from your Admissions Counselor.
DownloadAdditional Admission Requirements for Speech-Language Pathology
Admission Application
For the traditional post-bachelor's entry, applicants are required to submit their applications to CSDCAS by the published deadlines below for the May 2027 cohort.
Please refer to the CSDCAS application instructions for specific details about completing the application, submitting required documents, and processing time. Due to the large number of applications and the limited number of seats available, applicants are encouraged to complete their CSDCAS application early in the cycle. The advantage of a centralized application service is that you can monitor the status of your applications online.
GPA
A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) is required for consideration for admission to the program. A GPA of 3.25 or higher is encouraged, as admission to this program is competitive.
Observation Hours
Applicants must include a minimum of 25 documented observation hours under supervision of an ASHA CCC-SLP certified practitioner. Students must submit a document verifying observation hours that includes the number of observation hours with dates completed and the SLP supervisor's signature and ASHA member number. Students may use McDaniel’s clinical observation form. Volunteer or work experience cannot substitute for observation hours. Only activities meeting all criteria for supervised clinical observation can be counted toward observation requirements. Volunteer or job experiences may enhance readiness for graduate study but cannot fulfill these hours.
Personal Statement/Essay
Submit a personal statement/essay according to instructions. Personal statements should be completed without the assistance of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, since the statement should provide information related to the individual’s personal and professional goals and aspirations.
Resume
Submit a resume indicating work, volunteer, life, and leadership experience. Please note that all volunteer and work experience is considered an enhancement to an applicant’s readiness for graduate study but cannot be used to satisfy the required SLP observation hours.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Letters must be from a professor, advisor, or other professional contact. Letters from personal contacts will not be considered.
Personal Interview
After submitting the application, qualified candidates may be invited for a personal interview. Please note that this program is competitive and not all qualified applicants are invited for an interview. McDaniel alumni and currently enrolled undergraduate students nearing completion of their bachelor's degree who are academically qualified are guaranteed an admission interview if the application is completed by the deadline.
Deadlines and Important Dates
For Traditional Post-Bachelor’s Entry
| Application | Deadline | Interview Date | Decision Date | Deposit Date | |
| Early Consideration | Oct. 1, 2026 | Oct. 16, 2026 | Oct. 30, 2026 | Nov. 13, 2026 | |
| Early Consideration | Oct. 1, 2026 | Nov. 20, 2026 | Dec. 4, 2026 | Dec. 18, 2026 | |
| Priority Consideration | Nov. 15, 2026 | Dec. 4, 2026 | Dec. 18, 2026 | Jan. 8, 2027 | |
| Regular Consideration | Jan. 8, 2027 | Jan. 15, 2027 | Jan. 22, 2027 | Feb. 5, 2027 | |
Applications will be accepted and reviewed between Jan. 9 and April 30 (after the regular deadline) if seats in the cohort remain available. Students who apply during this period may be considered for the waitlist.
Traditional Program Design
Students with traditional entry to the master's program will complete the degree in six consecutive semesters or two years — four semesters of didactic coursework followed by two semesters of full-time externship.
Year 1
Summer: A hybrid 12-week summer term begins in late May. Students attend an on-campus orientation in late May, complete coursework online throughout the 12-week summer session, and return to campus in mid-August to finish the term.
Fall and Spring: The fall term begins in late August, followed by the spring term, which begins in mid-January. During these semesters, students are required to be on campus for in-person coursework and clinical training up to four days a week.
Year 2
Summer: A hybrid 12-week summer term begins in late May, including three weeks of intensive, on-campus clinical practicums. Clinical Practicum III occurs during the first six-week Summer Session I, while didactic coursework is delivered over the entire 12-week summer session.
Fall and Spring: Both the fall and spring terms consist of full-time clinical externships in an off-campus site. McDaniel’s robust partner relationships ensure students will have access to a variety of SLP clinical experiences within a 90-mile radius. Students may be placed outside of the region with approval from the clinical director. During this period, students will also complete remaining coursework online and will return to campus at the end of the spring semester for final coursework deliverables and graduation activities.
Check your Eligibility
Download and fill out our SLP Prerequisite Worksheet, then email it to admissions@mcdaniel.edu to get one-on-one advice from your Admissions Counselor.
Download