- Is designed for students who intend to apply to graduate programs in communication disorders, including those who have completed a major in a different field.
- Is a rigorous program; our goal is for students to be prepared for graduate school.
- Is entirely online; travel to SUNY New Paltz is not required. Students must have access to a personal computer with reliable, high-speed internet and audio sound capability.
- Is a non-matriculated program; it does not qualify for federal, state, or university financial aid loans or grants.
- Includes the coursework most commonly required for admission to communication disorders graduate programs, including the sciences, normal development, disorders, and clinical observation. Students may take only the courses they need; there is no obligation to take every course offered.
- May be started in the summer, fall or spring, and completed in three or four terms (summer, fall, spring, and possibly winter). Students who prefer to study part-time may take longer to complete the program. There are no application deadlines; accepted students begin taking classes in the next available semester.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8, and demonstrate satisfactory writing skill in order to enroll. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is from a school outside of the United States must submit an official degree credential evaluation. Applicants may be required to submit proof of English language proficiency. Click here to read Post-BA Program policies.
- Students must endeavor to earn a grade of 3.0 or better in each course in order to remain in the program. Only two grades below a B- are permitted.
- Instructors are easily accessible and advisement is comprehensive, including transcript evaluation, determination of course equivalencies, and planning for admission to graduate school and eventual professional certification. A plan of study is created with the student and revisited each semester, to maximize the student’s continuing success in the program.
- The cost of the program includes an application fee, and for each term, tuition and selected fees (college fee, student activities fee, and technology fee). Tuition is equivalent to the current SUNY New Paltz undergraduate per credit rate, or for non-New York State residents, the non-resident online only rate. Fees may be flat rate or per-credit depending on the term and the number of credits. Click here for tuition and fee details. Students in the program are non-matriculated, therefore federal and state financial aid is not available.
Click here for answers to frequently asked questions
Click here to read testimonials from former students
How to Apply
| Click here to download the application form | Instructions are included on the application form, and the link to pay the application fee is at the bottom of the form |
Only submit the materials requested on the form (personal statement and official transcripts).
Applicants must have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must have a combined cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8. Students with a lower GPA may petition for acceptance by submitting a letter of explanation with the application form. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is from a school outside of the United States must submit an official degree credential evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES): Credential Evaluation. Applicants may also be required to submit proof of English language proficiency, as described here: English Language Proficiency - scroll down and click on "English Language Requirements".
Applications are reviewed within two to three weeks after all materials have been received and the application fee has been paid. There are no application deadlines; accepted students begin taking classes in the next available semester.
Course of Study
The Post-BA program offers eight undergraduate-level courses (27 credits) covering the topics required by most graduate programs in speech-language pathology. Students may also obtain the required 25 hours of directed clinical observations, which are presented as part of the online course.
The Post-BA Program offers courses in spring, fall, summer and winter. However, some courses may not be offered every term. A maximum of three courses may be taken each term. Most full time students are able to complete the courses they need within three terms (one year).
| Post-BA Program Courses |
||
| # | Title | Credits |
| CMD302 | Phonetics | 4 |
| CMD304 | Speech & Hearing Science | 4 |
| CMD306 | Language Development | 3 |
| CMD310 | Anatomy & Physiology of Speech & Swallowing | 4 |
| CMD312 | Introduction to Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CMD317 | Audiology | 3 |
| CMD401 | Observations & Clinical Methods | 3 |
| CMD409 | Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
Recommended Courses
The following college-level courses are recommended for students preparing for graduate study in communication disorders, as they are needed for professional licensure and certification. These courses are not offered as part of the Post-BA program, but some or all may be taken through SUNY New Paltz if desired:
For professional certification:
- Statistics
- Biological science (human or animal)
- Physics or chemistry (a qualfying physics course is recommended, as it is a prerequisite for CMD304-Speech & Hearing Science)
- Sign language (optional)
- Two social or behavioral science courses
For working in the public school system:
- Sociological and philosophical foundations of education
- Child development
A Message from the Program Academic Advisor
Dear Prospective Students,
We are excited to offer a complete package of prerequisite courses designed to prepare you for graduate study. Our online faculty are experts in their subjects and also serve as faculty in our undergraduate and graduate communication disorders programs. Most have been teaching online courses for many years. Each course is uniquely designed for the subject and allows for flexible schedules. Our program also offers advising to help guide you through all phases of the program including but not limited to registration, course plans, transcript evaluation, and guidance for applying to graduate school. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information. We are looking forward to working with you!
-Dr. Anne Balant, Post-BA Program Advisor & Associate Chair of the Communication Disorders Department
For questions, contact the Program Coordinator:
Nina JeckerByrne, Program Coordinator
Post-Baccalaureate Program in Communication Disorders Program
SUNY New Paltz Department of Communication Disorders
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 257-2399
jeckerbn@newpaltz.edu
