Specialization (12 credits)

  • The Medical Specialization Program is a graduate-level sequence that prepares speech-language pathology students to work in medical settings across the continuum of care (hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, etc.) and across the lifespan.
  • The four-course sequence exposes students to evidence-based best practice in person-centered care, preparing them for entry-level work in a range of healthcare settings.
  • Coursework is paired with relevant experiential learning and clinical opportunities, both on campus and off-site at a variety of medical settings.
  • The Medical Specialization Program is open to graduate-level matriculated students in speech-language pathology.

The Medical Specialization program is ideal for

Matriculated graduate-level students in the speech-language pathology master’s program who wish to specialize in medical speech-language pathology.

Career Information

  • According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), about 39% of SLPs work in healthcare settings.
  • The goal of the medical specialization is to provide speech-language pathology students with a particular interest in medical employment with  additional knowledge and skills over and above what is required by ASHA. 
  • This more in-depth knowledge and experience will foster the confidence and skills in medical specialization graduates to potentially allow them to more favorably present to employers faced with large numbers of qualified applicants.

What to Expect

  • Four specific courses are required (detailed below under curriculum), offered in the evening during the fall, spring, and summer semesters
  • Completion of a full-time clinical practicum in the Neurogenic Communication and Cognition Clinic (NC3)
  • Completion of at least one other healthcare-related clinical practicum
  • Additional clinical and experiential learning opportunities in a variety of medical settings embedded within specialization coursework
  • Receive a local certificate of specialization in Medical Speech-Language Pathology from Nazareth College upon completion

Coursework (12 credits)

  • CSD 535 Aphasia and Related Disorders
  • CSD 579 Introduction to Cognitive Rehabilitation and Brain Injury
  • CSD 590 Motor Speech Disorders
  • CSD 541 Medical Speech-Language Pathology

See course descriptions (scroll to bottom) »

Registration process

  • Current Nazareth students: Talk to your academic program director to determine whether you are eligible to enroll in or continue with this program.
  • Registration occurs on a rolling basis.
  • If you have questions, contact the Medical Specialization Program directors listed on this page.