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Celeste Domsch

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Celeste Domsch

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M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology

The M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP), located in Newark on the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences campus, is a 65-credit, entry-level program that aims to prepare students to prevent, evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language communication, and swallowing disorders.

This program, which is completed over five consecutive semesters (two years), emphasizes service delivery for multiethnic, socially diverse populations – including dialectal speakers of English and bilingual/multilingual individuals – with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders within an interdisciplinary healthcare context.

Eligible students have the option of completing the Bilingual Competency Recognition (BCR). With a curricular emphasis on interprofessional services for communicatively-impaired ethnosocially diverse populations, our MSSLP program trains students to work with both child and adult caseloads in our complex multidisciplinary healthcare settings serving our growing multiethnic communities.

Kelly Pena

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Newsletter

Check out the contributions and activities of ASHA’s Hispanic Caucus. Kelly Pena, President of the Hispanic Caucus, shared that the Caucus creates a network where ASHA’s Latinx members connect to discuss intersectional issues, promote multicultural communities, and strengthen and advance multilingual services.  Read more

Transgender Man Helps  Transgender Women Find Their Voices Through Speech-Language Pathology

AJ QuirayDuring his first year in the Rutgers School of Health Professions program, AJ Quiray was asked to work with a transgender woman – the first transgender client to be referred to the Rutgers Speech-Language Pathology program’s pro bono clinic in Newark. Read more.  

Congratulations to Spring 2023 REACH Grant Awardee Dr. Kristen Victorino

Promoting equitable speech and language service provision for culturally and linguistically diverse students in the Newark Board of Education Schools. Read more.

Congratulations to 2023 Excellence in Teaching Awardee Professor Stephanie Hubbell

Stephanie’s teaching style shows tremendous personal dedication to both providing and coordinating high-quality, contemporary, evidence- based clinical education.  Read more.

The mission of the MS degree in the Speech-Language Pathology Program is to prepare graduate students to be successful practitioners in a pluralistic society. By integrating three themes – interprofessional practice, ethnic diversity, and health care – throughout the curriculum, the program will graduate students who have the knowledge and clinical skills relevant to cultural and linguistic diversity across the lifespan within interprofessional contexts. The program’s mission aligns with the institutional and school missions to prepare students using a cross-disciplinary collaborative approach for evidence-based clinical services to improve the lives of those who reside in New Jersey and beyond.

The Speech-Language Pathology program at Rutgers University has three major program goals:

Program Goal 1: Excellence in academic education and clinical preparation. The academic and clinical curriculum is based on state-of-the-art scientific information and clinical procedures.

Objectives:

  1. Infuse the curriculum with content regarding multiculturally diverse populations, particularly dialectal and bilingual/multilingual influences on speech, language, and communication skills.
  2. Ensure the curriculum contains information regarding interprofessional education and that students have opportunities for interprofessional practice in the clinical setting.
  3. Incorporate contemporary principles of clinical practice in the assessment and management of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders within a medical setting.
  4. Prepare students for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification, professional New Jersey state licensure, and the New Jersey Department of Education speech-language specialist certification.

Program Goal 2: Excellence in Faculty and Student Scholarship. Academic and clinical faculty are dedicated to professional scholarship and increasing student participation in scholarship.

Objectives:

  1. Produce faculty scholarship to promote the national ranking of the program.
  2. Actively engage students in clinically relevant research and problem-solving.
  3. Foster student scholarship through implementation of EBP in clinical and professional venues.

Program Goal 3: Expand community visibility and clinical opportunities. The SLP Program at Rutgers University is committed to addressing the clinical needs in speech, language, communication, and swallowing in the Newark, NJ community and beyond.

Objectives:

  1. Offer affordable, accessible, and quality clinical services to the Newark community and beyond.
  2. Provide continuing education opportunities to practicing clinicians.
  3. Engage community members in program development and educational strategies.

Strategic Goal 1. SOUND ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL TRAINING
Goal: Recruit, mentor, and retain high-quality academic and clinical faculty to provide students with cutting-edge didactic and clinical
education.

Strategic Goal 2. MEETING THE COMPLEX SERVICE NEEDS OF GROWING DIVERSE POPULATIONS
Goal: Create a clinical-academic education program that will provide students with clinical experience and academic coursework related to
services for ethno-socially diverse populations across the lifespans in interprofessional contexts.

Strategic Goal 3: DEVELOPING A DIVERSE PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE FOR A DIVERSE SOCIETY
Goal: Recruit, mentor, and retain a high-quality student body who meet or exceed the admission requirements from a variety of socio-ethnic backgrounds.

Strategic Goal 4: ASSESSMENT FOR COMPLIANCE, EXCELLENCE, AND INNOVATION
Goal: Review and revise the MSSLP Program’s Strategic Plan.

Accreditation Status
The Master of Science (M.S.) education program in speech-language pathology (residential) at Rutgers University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.

 

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RU SLP Clinic

Program Director
Celeste Domsch, Ph.D.
For more information contact:
SLP@shp.rutgers.edu

Information Sessions

You are invited to our Virtual Information Sessions to explore the M.S. in Speech Language Pathology program from the Rutgers School of Health Professions. Please register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

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Program Highlights

Our program is unique in offering:

  • An academic, clinical, and interprofessional curriculum steeped in scientific information and clinical procedures regarding socially, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including both dialectal and bilingual/multilingual speakers.
  • Academic education and clinical training with socially, and multiethnic populations across the lifespan.
  • Students who meet additional requirements will have the opportunity to be recognized with Bilingual Competency Recognition.
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Admissions Criteria

Academic Pre-requisites: Completion of prerequisite foundational courses with a grade of B or better (Prerequisite courses taken more than 10 years before the initiation of the graduate program will not be accepted):

  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms:
    An introduction to the anatomy and physiology of the systems and processes involved in speech production, with a focus on the respiratory, phonatory, articulatory, resonatory, and nervous systems.
  • Introduction to Audiology:
    Introduction to the profession and practice of audiology through an overview of anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, physical properties of sound relevant to hearing assessment, techniques for hearing assessment, and auditory disorders
  • Phonetics:
    Introduction to phonetics, the study of the production of speech sounds and their acoustic characteristics. Students will learn to identify, classify, and transcribe sounds from a variety of languages
  • Speech and Hearing Science:
    An overview of speech production, including acoustics and physiology, as well as speech perception
  • Speech and Language Development:
    How speech and language are acquired by young children
  • Speech, Language and Communication Disorders across the Lifespan:
    An introduction to the study of communication and its disorders across the lifespan. An overview of the profession of the profession of speech-language pathology, its history, the types of disorders encountered, their evaluation and treatment.
  • Additional coursework includes three (3) credits in each of the following areas: biological science, physics or chemistry, statistics, and
    social/behavioral sciences
  • Documentation of 25 hours of guided observation with an ASHA certified SLP who has met the 2020 ASHA certification
    standards for providing clinical instruction and supervision to individuals preparing for ASHA certification

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We understand that all applicants may not have had the opportunity to complete the 25 hours of guided observation due to the pandemic. As a result, we are flexible with this admission requirement. If students have not completed the guided observation requirement, we will have time built into the first semester for students to complete this requirement. If you do have a portion or all 25 hours of guided observation, please submit a document with the following information:

  • Full name of the SLP you observed
  • Signature by the SLP you observed
  • ASHA number of SLP you observed
  • Name of the facility where the guided observation took place

 Admission Requirements

  • Application to the MSSLP program must be submitted through the Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application
    Service (CSDCAS) at: https://csdcas.liaisoncas.com/. (Deadline to apply is February 1)
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 from an undergraduate program accredited in the U.S. or its equivalent
  • A personal written statement (1-2 DOUBLE-SPACED PAGES)
  • Pre-requisite courses (transcripts, showing proof of completion, must be submitted by JUNE 30)
  • Clinical Hours (documentation of completed hours of observation with an ASHA-certified SLP)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Students who have graduated from a foreign institution must submit a WES evaluation of their coursework and TOEFL scores along with an official transcript.
  • Resume

NOTE: We are not requiring GRE scores in this 2023-2024 application cycle

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Tuition & Fees

For Tuition and Fees, please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees.
(Scroll down to 2023-2024 Rutgers Health Tuition and Fee Rates and click on School of Health Professions)
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Curriculum

The MSSLP is a full-time program.

Year 1
Course/Description Course # Pre/Co-Requisites Credits
Foundations of Ethnoracial-Social Diversity & Public Health for SLP Practice
This course will address ethnoracial and social diversity foundations of language, communication, and speech with an emphasis on minority groups and bilingual/multilingual and dialectal speakers of English in the U.S as well as health determinants and healthcare disparities, particularly in minority groups in multiethnic communities.
SPLP 5110 3
Speech Sound Disorders in Children
This course will discuss the nature of speech sound disorders and differences that may occur in children who are monolingual, bilingual, or speak dialectal varieties of English. In addition, assessment procedures and intervention methods will be explored.
SPLP 5120 3
Language Disorders in Young Children
This course will focus on the etiology, characteristics, assessment, and treatment of language impairment in young children, including cognitive/processing deficits. Disordered language in young bilingual children and children who speak dialectal varieties of English and IPP considerations in the clinical services for language-disordered will also be discussed.
SPLP 5131 3
Neuroscience for SLP Practice
This course will focus on a foundational overview of the neuroanatomical bases and neurophysiological processes involved in unimpaired and impaired language, cognition, speech, and swallowing functions, including neurodiagnostic techniques.
SPLP 5140 2
Clinical Methods and Procedures
The course will provide an orientation to clinical practice in speech-language pathology across the lifespan. The clinical process is presented as a construct which interfaces interpersonal dynamics with best evidence-based professional practices. A decision-making continuum, including IPP and cultural competence considerations, is applied to the interpretation of individual client needs as a basis for developing goals, planning treatment procedures, documenting treatment, and planning for referral and/or discharge.
SPLP 5150 SPLP 5169 2
SLP Practicum & Seminar I
This laboratory course provides observation hours and involves students in an initial experience under supervision in providing services to individuals with communication disorders at the RU-SLP Clinic or community clinical sites.
SPLP 5169 SPLP 5150 1
Research Principles for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice in SLP
This course will provide students with an overview of empirical methods in speech-language pathology research as a foundation to foster the critical appraisal of reported research evidence and its applications and implications to clinical practices in the profession. Specifically, the course will focus on the evaluation and design of different types of research methodologies, such as descriptive (e.g., case study, developmental, qualitative, surveys), exploratory (e.g., correlational, differential), and experimental (e.g., single-subject designs, randomized control trials, treatment efficacy studies). Research issues pertinent to ethnoracial minorities with communication disorders will also be discussed in the course.
SPLP 5320 3
Total Semester Credits 17
Course/Description Course # Pre/Co-Requisites Credits
Adult Cognitive Communication Disorders
This course will concentrate on the etiology, neuroanatomical bases, and classification of the pathologies associated with acquired language-cognitive-communicative symptoms from traumatic brain injuries and the dementias as well as the evaluation and treatment approaches employed when working with adults with these lesions and impairments, including clinical factors pertinent to multiethnic adult populations. IPP considerations regarding clinical services for this population will be discussed.
SPLP 5210 SPLP 5140 3
Language & Literacy Disorders in School-Age Children
This course will explore language disorders of school-age children and adolescents, including students that are bilingual or dialectal speakers of English. Students will study the social, cognitive, and linguistic aspects of language impairment and differences. The interplay of language and literacy and its implications for intervention in this age group will be examined. Students will practice conversational and narrative analysis. Other formal and informal nonbiased assessment methods will be reviewed, along with intervention models commonly used in school and private clinical settings. IPP considerations regarding clinical services for this population will be discussed.
SPLP 5132 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5131 3
Feeding & Swallowing Disorders
This course will cover the anatomy and neurophysiology of normal swallowing stages throughout the aero-digestive tract, pathophysiology of feeding and swallowing in children and adults, and evaluation techniques and treatment procedures. An IPP approach that includes relevant aspects of cultural diversity to clinical management will be stressed.
SPLP 5220 SPLP 5140 3
Acquired Language Disorders
This course will focus on the etiology, neuroanatomical bases, and classification of the language, communication, and cognitive symptoms associated with post-stroke left-sided and right-sided hemispheric lesions, including aphasia in bilingual and dialectal speakers of English, as well as the evaluation and treatment approaches to work with adults with these lesions and impairments. IPP considerations regarding stroke care will be discussed.
SPLP 5230 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5140 3
Motor Speech Disorders
This course will address the etiology, anatomical underpinnings, and classification of neurogenic speech production disorders, their assessment, diagnoses, and management. Discussion will particularly focus on the dysarthrias and apraxias, particularly the different co-impairments in the various components of the speech signal, namely, respiration, phonation, resonance, and articulation. IPP considerations in the services for individuals with these disorders will be discussed.
SPLP 5240 SPLP 5120, SPLP 5140 3
Autism Spectrum Disorders
This course focuses on the characteristics, research, diagnosis, and intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with an emphasis on neurological and psychological theories, research-based interventions, and interdisciplinary services.
SPLP 5250 SPLP 5131; 5132 1
SLP Practicum & Seminar II
With a grade of B or higher in SLP Practicum and Seminar I, this laboratory course provides students with the opportunity to provide clinical services under supervision to individuals with communication disorders at the RU-SLP Clinic or community clinical sites.
SPLP 5179 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5169 1
Total Semester Credits 17
Course/Description Course # Pre/Co-Requisites Credits
(6-Week Session A)
Alternative & Augmentative Communication
This course will focus on describing the principles of technologically-based instrumentation for individuals with complex communication needs. The course will emphasize approaches to instrument selection from simple to complex as well as use of the selected technologies for individuals across the lifespan with varying disabilities and communication demands. Interdisciplinary considerations in service provision for the AAC-using population will also be discussed.
SPLP 5330 SPLP 5210, SPLP 5230, SPLP 5240 1
SLP Principles & Practices in Diverse School Settings
This course will provide students with an overview of clinical programs in the public schools. Testing, scheduling, grouping, service delivery models, intervention and record keeping will be discussed within the perspective of clinical application. The IPP role of the speech language pathologist in relation to administrators, teacher specialists in related areas, parents and paraprofessionals will be reviewed.
SPLP 5340 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5132 1
Special Topics in SLP
This advanced course will focus on rotating topics in the profession that will integrate the critical appraisal of the literature to formulate evidence-based clinical decisions.
SPLP 5360 1
(6-Week Session B)
SLP Principles & Practices in Diverse Medical Settings
This course will provide an overview of the knowledge, skills, and processes in the practice of speech-language pathology in healthcare/medical settings. Topics will include topics such as the continuum of care in medical speech-language pathology, the dynamics of interdisciplinary medical/healthcare practice, technological procedures (e.g., electronic medical records, apps, telepractice), ethical issues, and cultural competence in ethnically-socially diverse healthcare services.
SPLP 5310 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5210, SPLP 5220, SPLP 5230, SPLP 5240 1
Session 1 (12-Week Session)
SLP Practicum & Seminar III
This laboratory course provides observation hours and involves students in more advanced clinical experiences with children or adults under supervision in providing services to individuals with communication disorders at external clinical sites. IPP approaches will be implemented, as appropriate.
SPLP 5189 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5179 1
Voice Disorders
This course will cover etiology, pathology, assessment, and treatment of voice disorders in children and adults. IPP considerations regarding clinical services for the voice-disabled populations will be discussed.
SPLP 5350 SPLP 5140 3
Total Semester Credits 8
Year 2
Course/Description Course # Pre/Co-Requisites Credits
SLP Practicum & Seminar IV
This laboratory course provides observation hours and involves students in more advanced clinical experiences with children or adults under supervision in providing services to individuals with communication disorders at external clinical sites. IPP approaches will be implemented, as appropriate.
SPLP 6019 SPLP 5110, SPLP 5189 9
Fluency Disorders
This course will discuss fluency in speech production and factors that may disrupt it across the life span. Assessment and treatment techniques will also be discussed.
SPLP 6410 SPLP 5140 2
Total Semester Credits 11
Course/Description Course # Pre/Co-Requisites Credits
Comprehensive Examination (Pass/Fail)
SLP Practicum & Seminar V
This laboratory course provides observation hours and involves students in more advanced clinical experiences with children or adults under supervision in providing services to individuals with communication disorders at external clinical sites. IPP approaches will be implemented, as appropriate.
SPLP 6029 SPLP 5110, SPLP 6019 9
Aural Rehabilitation and Habilitation
This course will devote to the application of audiological research and theory to the rehabilitation and management of hearing impairments in children and adults, including the challenges associated with living with a hearing impairment, the selection of suitable amplification for the hearing impaired, and advocacy for individuals with a hearing impairment.
SPLP 6510 3
Total Semester Credits 12
Total Program Credits 65
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Current Students

Student Outcome Data
Reporting Period # Completed within Expected Time Frame % Completed within Expected Time Frame
Recent Year (2022 – 2023) 17 100%
1 Year Prior (2021 – 2022) N/A N/A
2 Years Prior (2020 – 2021) N/A N/A

 

Praxis Examination Pass Rates of Test-Takers
Reporting Period # Taking the Exam # Passed Exam % Passed Exam
Recent Year (2022 – 2023) 17 16 94%
1 Year Prior (2021 – 2022) N/A N/A N/A
2 Years Prior (2020 – 2021) N/A N/A N/A
Employment Rates of Graduates
  Employment Rate in Profession
Reporting Period # of Graduates from Prior Year % of Graduates from Prior Year
Recent Year (2022 – 2023) 17 100%
1 Year Prior (2021 – 2022) N/A N/A
2 Years Prior (2020 – 2021) N/A N/A
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Student Organizations

Our Faculty

Jose Centeno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Jose Centeno, Ph.D., CCC-SLPProfessor
Young Hwa Chang, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Young Hwa Chang, Ph.D., CCC-SLPAssistant Professor
Celeste Domsch, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Celeste Domsch, Ph.D., CCC-SLPProgram Director
Stephanie Hubbell, M.S., CCC-SLP
Stephanie Hubbell, M.S., CCC-SLPAssistant Professor
Kelly Pena, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kelly Pena, M.S., CCC-SLPAssistant Professor
Kristen Victorino, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Kristen Victorino, Ph.D., CCC-SLPAssociate Professor
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Our Clinical Faculty and Administrative Support Staff

Kira Medina-Tiencken
Kira Medina-TienckenMS, CCC-SLP
Giovanni Paul
Giovanni PaulMS, CCC-SLP
Ry Pilchman<br />
MS, CCC-SLP
Ry Pilchman
MS, CCC-SLP
Liz Ramos
Liz Ramos MSSLP Clinic Secretary
Nicole Surizon
Nicole SurizonMS, CCC-SLP
Jenn Valdez
Jenn ValdezMA, CCC-SLP

FAQs

Our target class size is 30 students.

The MSSLP coursework and clinical practica will be offered during the day.

The MSSLP Program is a full-time program.

Yes, graduates of the MSSLP Program will be eligible to apply for the Speech-Language Specialist Certification.

Yes, work study opportunities are available.

Students interested in obtaining the BCR will be required to:

  • Complete proficiency testing with Rutgers MS SLP faculty in either Spanish or Korean
  • Complete one of the external clinical practica with bilingual clients in either Spanish or Korean

The student’s transcript will include a special notation to indicate that the student successfully completed all of the requirements of the BCR.

Rutgers offers graduate student housing options that are close to the Bergen Building. For students who commute, Rutgers runs a free shuttle from Newark Penn Station to the Bergen Building.

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Program Receives Candidacy Status

Contact information for Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology:

2200 Research Boulevard, #310
Rockville, MD 20850
phone: 800-498-2071
email: accreditation.asha.org
website: caa.asha.org

Updated June 2021