Summary: The Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) Department offers CSD undergraduate majors the opportunity to apply to the 4+1 B.S./M.S. dual program, which combines the undergraduate degree in CSD and the graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology into a 5-year program. If accepted to the program, students will start taking graduate coursework during the senior year in their undergraduate program. They will earn a B.S. in CSD in May of their 4th year in their undergraduate program and a M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology in August of their 5th year of the dual program. We are one of a small number of universities around the country that offers this unique opportunity to students. If you know that you will be majoring in CSD, you should email our department at csd@syr.edu as early as possible to appropriately plan for this program.

Benefits to Students

• Reduction in room and board costs due to nearly one year less of enrollment time relative to the typical two year SLP program
• Pay undergraduate tuition fees for 15 graduate credits, which can be used to fulfill both the BS and MS degree requirements
• Added salary of nearly one year due to graduating 9 months prior to the typical 2-year MS program in SLP
  • Average salary for SLPs with 1-3 years of experience is $65,000 (ASHA 2017 SLP Health Care Survey), this is income that can be earned starting almost one year earlier than if graduating from the typical 2 year master’s program
• Complete and receive B.S. degree at typical time-point (May of senior year) before earning accelerated M.S. degree
• Complete your M.S. degree at a university ranked in the top 12% of Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs nationwide, with an employment rate of 97%
• Continue in graduate school with the strong mentoring connections established with the academic and clinical faculty mentors during the student’s undergraduate program
• Avoid the financial, social and emotional burden of relocating to a new area for graduate studies

Eligibility for Application to the 4+1 Program

• Minimum GPA of 3.7 by spring semester of junior year
• Declared undergraduate major in CSD with a focus in speech-language pathology
• Have taken a minimum of 24 CSD credits by the end of spring semester of junior year
• Have taken CSD 451 and CSD 450 and have had a client in the Gebbie clinic by the end of spring semester of junior year (minimum grade of A- for CSD 450 with a client)

Application Process to the 4+1 Program

• Applications must be submitted through The Centralized Application Service for Communication Science & Disorders Programs (CSDCAS). Submit ALL materials to CSDCAS, including transcripts. CSDCAS charges an application processing fee. Please note, if you are NOT accepted into the 4+1 program, you will receive a credit for the CSDCAS application fee. You may use this credit to apply to any graduate SLP program through CSDCAS the following academic year.
• Application Materials:
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • One from your Gebbie Clinic supervisor, and two from academic faculty
  • Personal statement/essay (questions will be provided)
  • Interview with an SU CSD Department Admissions Committee member
  • Official undergraduate academic transcript(s)

Please note: Emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and professionalism are important considerations in the evaluation of candidates. Input will be gathered from all CSD faculty who have interacted with the applicant over the course of their undergraduate program.

Course Plan Considerations

• Please see our sample course program. At least one and ideally both of the required Biology and Physical Science courses (Physics or Chemistry) for ASHA pre-requisites should be taken during your freshman and sophomore years at SU.
• You must complete CSD 451 and CSD 450 with supervised observation hours to be eligible for a supervised Gebbie clinic assignment (CSD 450 with a client), which is required prior to applying for the 4+1 program. Therefore, these courses will need to be completed by the end of your junior year.
• Due to the sequencing constraints of the 4+1 program, going abroad during a fall or spring semester of your undergraduate program may not be feasible for all students, and requires very early planning. Students may want to consider a summer abroad program as an alternative option.
• Eligibility for a supervised clinic assignment (CSD 450 with a client) requires that students previously complete CSD 422 (Development of Speech and Language), CSD 316 (Introduction to Applied Phonetics), and complete or be simultaneously enrolled in CSD 427 (Speech and Language Disorders in Children). It is recommended that these courses be completed by the end of your sophomore year.
• You should complete the elective course CSD 477, Speech-Language Pathology in School Settings, by the end of your junior year.
• You should work closely with your CAS advisor when planning your program to assure your proposed plan includes meeting the CAS core requirements. Your CSD advisor will also coordinate with your CAS advisor if you are planning on applying to the 4+1 program.