Q: Where in the University is the Speech-Language Pathology Program?
A: The Speech-Language Pathology program is a concentration which is housed in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.  All courses within the department are designated with the four-letter department code, CSND.  Communication Sciences & Disorders is a department in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.  The program is a graduate program and may be viewed in the Graduate Catalogue. Please visit http://www.montclair.edu/catalog/graduatecat.html

Q: Can I apply if I don’t have a background in Speech Language Pathology?
A: Yes. Students with background and without background are encouraged to apply. Students without background will take the pre-professional sequence as part of their graduate program.

Q: How long is the program?
A: Students with background typically finish in two and one-half including summers and students without background typically finish in three years and one-half years including summers.

Q: Where can I get an application?
A: Applications are available online at http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/app.shtml

Q: Is there an open house that I can attend?
A: The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services sponsors open houses twice a year. E-mail  or call 973-http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/ 655-5147 for information.

Q: Is it possible to attend the program part-time?
A: Yes. The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services allows students a maximum of six years to complete the program. In general, students would be unable to complete the program within that time frame if they expected to do the entire program on a part-time basis. Students would be able to register for a part-time load for a portion of their studies if it became necessary to do so.  A minimum of three hours per semester constitute a part-time course load. Nine credits per semester constitute a full-time course load.

Q: Is it possible to start the program in the spring?
A: No. Students may apply for fall admission only.

Q: Are classes offered during the day or at night?
A: The majority of classes are offered during the day. All courses in the pre-professional sequence are offered during the day only.

Q: Can I take the pre-professional sequence at Montclair as a non-matriculated student?
A: Undergraduate students at Montclair State University may take the pre-professional sequence when they have obtained senior status (112 credits). If there are additional seats in these courses, non-matriculated students may register for the pre-professional sequence with the permission of the CS&D Graduate Advisor.  Contact Dr. Boyle at boylem@mail.montclair.edu to determine if there are openings in these classes.

Q: If I have taken CS&D courses elsewhere as a non-matriculated student, will I have to take the pre-professional sequence?
A: It depends on what courses you have taken. The courses that constitute the pre-professional sequence at other universities may not necessarily be the same courses as those offered at Montclair. The pre-professional sequence at Montclair is: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Systems, Neurophysiological Bases of Communication, Phonetic Study of Speech Sounds, and Speech and Hearing Science.

Q: What is Teacher Certification? Do I have to pursue it, even if I don’t plan on working in a school?
A: Certification as a Speech-Language Specialist is required by the State of New Jersey for speech- language pathologists working in New Jersey Public Schools. It consists of sixteen credits, which includes a semester-long school externship. Once you have been accepted into the Speech Language Pathology program, you will meet with your advisor to plan your work program and fill out the necessary paperwork to apply for Teacher Certification, if you so choose.  If you know that you do not want to work in a school setting, you do not have to pursue this route.

Q: What kinds of jobs are available for Speech Language Pathologists? How is the job market?
A: Speech Language Pathologists can work in many different settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, etc. There are many jobs available!

Q: Where can I get more information about the program, and who can I contact if I have additional questions?
A: Please visit the department website for more information. For questions, please contact Dr. Mary Boyle, Graduate Advisor at boylem@mail.montclair.edu.

Q: Is there on-campus housing for graduate students?
A: Yes. The Office of Residence Life provides housing for graduate students in apartment-style accommodations. For information, please call 973-655-5188 or visit http://www.montclair.edu/residencelife/

Q: Is financial aid available and how do I apply?
A: Yes, financial aid is available.  Visit  http://www.montclair.edu/FinancialAid/ for information on loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid.

Q: Are graduate assistantships and scholarships available?
A: Yes. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers graduate assistantships every year. Graduate assistantships are also offered in other university departments. Graduate assistants work in the department an average of fifteen hours per week from September 1 through June 30. They receive tuition remission and a monetary stipend. For more information on assistantships and scholarships, visit http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/prospective/scholarships.shtml