Communication Sciences and Disorders (MA Degree)

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Why Communication Science and Disorders?

For those with communication difficulties, everyday tasks can become a challenge. Through a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) degree, you will learn how to support those with communicative disorders through diagnosis and treatment, in all age groups and in various clinical settings.

Why Study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Iona?

Take the Next Step in Your Career

A master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is the professional degree required for a career as a speech pathologist, audiologist or related clinical roles. This graduate program also prepares you for application for professional credentialing in the field of speech-language pathology. Iona's program is designed for aspiring professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree with the appropriate prerequisite coursework

Complete Your Degree in Five Semesters

Students in this 58-credit program can complete their degree in as little as five semesters. Speak with your admissions counselor today to discuss a timeline that works best for your schedule and goals.

Gain Hands-On Experience in Clinical Settings

Our fully accredited CSD graduate program provides robust hands-on experiences serving individuals with communicative disorders in the greater community. You'll get to work with clients in our Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, which provides a broad and deep range of services including language delay evaluation, treatment of oral motor disorders, stuttering assistance, swallowing therapy and more.

Work Alongside Practicing Therapists

You will work alongside faculty who are practicing therapists in a program that is fully accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences

As part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, communication sciences and disorders students will develop the skills and experience needed for tomorrow’s workforce.

Iona students may have the opportunity to do clinicals and rotations at the NewYork-Presbyterian network, ranked one of the top hospitals systems in the nation by U.S. News & World Report 2022-23.

Align your education with your career goals at the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences and earn a degree of tremendous value for your future.

CSD Graduate Program Handbook

Clinic Handbook: Off-site Rotation

Clinic Handbook: On-Site Rotation

Application Requirements


Iona's Tuition-Free IACD Certificate

Learn how you can become trained to provide high-quality early childhood speech/language and education services to deaf/hard of hearing children and their families in this tuition-free program.

 

Learn More: IACD


What You'll Learn

Competencies to Diagnose and Treat Communicative Disorders

As a CSD master’s student at Iona, you will gain a firm understanding of the normal processes of speech, language and hearing as well as the competence to diagnose and treat the full range of communicative disorders in all age groups.

A Program Grounded in Ethics and Inclusivity

Our curriculum offers the knowledge and skills required to practice speech-language pathology in an effective, ethical and inclusive manner. 

Take Part in Research and Internships

As part of your master’s program, you will participate in hands-on clinical practicums and intern in professional settings in addition to engaging with faculty research and the more academic side of the communication sciences field.

Explore Courses

Bridget Graham

The guidance and expertise of Iona’s esteemed professors not only enriched academic pursuits but also cultivated critical thinking and professional growth among myself and my peers.

-Bridget Graham '24MA, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Read more about Bridget

Communication Sciences Careers & Outcomes

After graduating with a Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders, our students move toward speech language pathology licensure to help others improve their communication disorders. A career in the communication sciences field allows clinicians to be the reason someone's life is changed for the better—a very rewarding professional path.

Communication Sciences Job Titles

  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Audiologist
  • Clinical Fellow
  • Speech Therapist
  • Hearing Specialist

Iona Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduates Have Built Careers At:

Achieve Beyond Logo
New York City Department of Education logo
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association logo
Sensory Kids & Social Minds logo

Program Highlights

Clinical Experience

In our full-service Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic, you will gain hands-on experience assessing and serving clients for the greater New Rochelle, New York community. You will help provide services for child language delays, communicative disorders resulting from brain injury or stroke, articulation and many other communication issues under the guidance of licensed Speech-Language Pathologist faculty members certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Explore Speech Clinic

Professional Credentialing

As a graduate of our program, you will have completed the necessary coursework and clinical experiences to satisfy the academic and professional requirements specified by ASHA for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and are eligible to apply for licensure by the New York State Department of Education's Office of the Professions.

ASHA Guidelines for Obtaining Certification

New York State Credentialing Information

Successful Iona Alumni

Our master’s degree will successfully lead you to a career as a speech pathologist or audiologist. With our program's 100% job placement rate, you will be working in your field within a year after graduation. You can also count on caring alumni to help with mentorship and job opportunities.

Student Outcome Data

Jaridy Fabre

I was able to complete a rigorous full-time graduate program with two children. There will be days when you question your career choice and your clinical skills, but Iona's team of dedicated educators are there to help you through it.

Jaridy Fabre '17

Learn more about Iona’s CSD master’s degree program!

Iona’s Communication Sciences and Disorders master’s degree equips you for a career as a speech pathologist or audiologist. Request information to learn more about Iona’s well-respected graduate program or apply now.

Tuition and Financial Aid Opportunities

Iona’s Communication Sciences and Disorders (MA) degree costs $1,415 per credit with a $350 program fee each semester.

To learn more about financing your degree, we encourage you to explore graduate scholarships at Iona and to connect with Student Financial Services today. Your admissions counselor is ready and available to answer any questions you have as you take the next step in advancing your career.

Additional Information

Application Requirements

Our Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program admits for the fall semester only. The deadlines for Fall 2025 are as follows:

  • Early Decision Priority Deadline – January 15, 2025
  • General Application Deadline – February 17, 2025

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0 and a prerequisite GPA of a 3.3 with no prerequisite courses below a C. Successful completion of prerequisite courses is required by the end of the summer prior to enrollment in the CSD graduate program. If all prerequisites are not complete at time of admission, applicants will receive a conditional admittance until all prerequisite courses are complete.

Applicants must complete an application through the Centralized Application Service for Communication Science and Disorders Program (CSDCAS) before the application deadline. The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders has created a central CSDCAS application for applicants. The CSDCAS application includes:

CSDCAS application includes:

  • Official transcripts from all previous institutions attended
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation (academic or professional references are accepted)
  • Brief essay and video components
  • 25 observation hours

Accreditation

The Master of Arts (MA) education program in Speech-Language Pathology residential at Iona University is accredited 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, Maryland 20850, (800) 498-2071 or (301) 296-5700.

Any questions or complaints regarding the program's accreditation status or compliance with accreditation standards may be directed to the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Find Out what an Iona Education Can Do For You

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If you're considering applying to Iona, you're not alone! Since 2019, our new-student enrollment is up nearly 40%. Additionally, graduate students automatically qualify for consideration of merit scholarships during their graduate program.

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