Speech Language Pathology, MS

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

Program Goals

1. Provide an educational experience embodied by the highest ethical standards, and cultural respect of all humans, with a focus on educating students to attain their highest level of academic success.
2. Provide a program grounded in mutual support of one another whereby students will feel encouraged to achieve proficiency in all standards of education required to meet eligibility for ASHA certification.
3. Offer an online program of excellence geared toward theoretical evidence centered on student learning and active student engagement in the teaching-learning process.

GRADUATION AND EMPLOYMENT RATES

PRAXIS PASS RATES

Accreditation Statement:

The Master of Science degree (M.S.) distance education program in speech-language pathology at the New England Institute of Technology is an Applicant for Candidacy 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.

Courses Offered

Term I

Term II

Term III

Term IV

Term V

Term VI

Term VII

Term VIII

Legend

C = Number of lecture hours per week

L = Number of laboratory hours per week

T = Total Quarter Credit Hours where each lecture hour per week is one credit, every 2-4 laboratory hours are one credit depending on the expected amount of pre- or post-lab work.

Clinical hours for each of the clinical methods courses are 3:1 ratio of hours to credits.

Clinical outplacement courses are a 5:1 ratio of hours to credits.

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

1. When do my classes meet? The Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program is primarily an online program. Courses that include synchronous lecture/class meetings will have a set time, provided to the student at the start of the term, in evening and/or daytime hours. Asynchronous components of courses will be completed by the student individually. Additional class meetings, group work, and lab times may be required but will be indicated in the syllabus and scheduled by the instructor at the start of the term. Two clinical immersion weeks will be required during the program: the second week of Term 4 and the second week of Term 6. These require attending in person at the New England Institute of Technology at the campus in East Greenwich, RI. During these weeks, classes will be held in person or via zoom following the course outline in the syllabus.
2. How large will my classes be? The average size for a class is about 15 students; however, larger, and smaller classes occur from time to time.
3. How is taking an online course different from an on-campus course? Online courses offer you flexibility in the scheduling of your class and study time. However, online courses also require self-discipline and self-motivation to do the work that is expected of the course. Despite this flexibility, you are required to log in to your course regularly as described in the course syllabus. There are required weekly assignments with specific due dates (see course syllabus). There are also synchronous components of the class scheduled by the instructor that are outlined in the syllabus. You are required to attend these and participate to receive credit.
4. Do online courses take more time than on-campus courses? Online courses require the same amount of work as an on-campus course. However, the time you spend in an online course will be different than in a traditional on-campus course. For example, less time will be spent on driving to and from campus, and limited time that will be spent on campus during clinical/skills immersion.
5. How much time should I expect to dedicate to an online course? NEIT’s policy regarding the amount of work expected of a student is like all other colleges and universities. The number of credit hours assigned to coursework is related to the academic time a student is expected to spend in direct faculty instruction and out-of-class work, and reasonably approximates one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately ten weeks for one hour of credit; or at least an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities as established by NEIT including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work, such as study and exam preparation time, leading to the award of credit hours.

6. What are the entry requirements for the program?

    

   A candidate for admission to the MS SLP program must meet the following criteria:

   1. An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 with a focus on communication disorders; allowing the most seamless admission without requiring pre-requisite coursework. If the undergraduate cumulative GPA is 2.5-2.9, a candidate with at least a 3.0 GPA in communication disorders coursework would be considered.
      • If the candidate has a baccalaureate degree in another field, pre-requisite coursework in communication sciences and disorders would be required to be completed prior to admission (see #2 below). A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in that coursework is required.
      • Pre-requisite coursework must include at least 18 credit hours in basic human communication processes and audiology, including anatomy of speech and hearing mechanism, phonetics, speech and language development, speech and hearing science, and audiology.
   2. Completed at least one course at the undergraduate level not in the discipline of speech language pathology in each of these four areas: biological science, physics or chemistry, a social or behavioral science, statistics.
   3. Completed 25 hours of guided observation of speech language pathology therapy per ASHA requirements.  If you have not completed the observation hours, please request the contact information for the clinical education coordinator from your admissions officer to obtain a list of options to complete the hours. For additional details regarding the required coursework in these areas, please see the ASHA course content website at: https://www.asha.org/certification/course-content-areas-for-slp-standards/

      The following steps outline the application process. Each applicant must:

      • Submit online application to NEIT for the Master in Science degree in Speech Language Pathology.
      • Submit all required paperwork included in admission documents.
      • Submit an official transcript showing degree completion, and any official transcripts from all undergraduate programs that were a part of the bachelor’s degree, and all programs where pre-requisite coursework was completed.
      • Complete an interview with program director/faculty (in person or via zoom).
      • If the student’s academic background is not in English, results of the TOEFL are required.

7. How long should it take me to complete my program? To complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. In this 10-term program, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 30 months. It is in the best interest of students to adhere to the prescribed curriculum without interruption. Students who are not enrolled for one or more terms or who are not successful in a course may find that the course/s they need may not be available every term and they will have to wait until the course is offered again. Students should check with their Student Success Coach for further details.
8. Is New England Tech accredited? Yes. New England Tech is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles New England Tech to participate in federal financial aid programs.
   

9. Is the NEIT Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology Program Accredited? The Master of Science degree (M.S.) distance education program in speech-language pathology is an Applicant for Candidacy 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.

   Once accreditation is finalized, and before any student graduates from the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national Praxis Examination in Speech Language Pathology. After successful completion of this exam, the individual can pursue the certificate of clinical competence through the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on provisional licensure during the clinical fellowship process through ASHA. Because of the complex nature of licensing requirements and because these requirements can vary from state to state, as well as change periodically, we cannot list all the requirements for licenses available or required in all states. NEIT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES IN LICENSING REQUIREMENTS THAT ANY STATE, INCLUDING RHODE ISLAND, MAY IMPLEMENT AT ANY TIME. Each student is to take personal responsibility for determining the licensing requirements in the specific state in which he or she plans to work. Your instructor or department chair can give you help as needed. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to attain certification or state licensure. It is recommended that you investigate all applicable state requirements PRIOR to starting the graduate program.

10. Is the program entirely online?

    The MS SLP courses are offered online, however, some of the courses require synchronous sessions, meaning classes will be conducted at a specified day and time. In addition, there are two clinical immersion weeks; week 2 of Term 4 and week 2 of Term 6, which require hands-on training in the classroom with an instructor or clinical provider. These experiences will take place at the NEIT campus in East Greenwich, RI, and the greater area.

11. What do the clinical placements involve?
    The objective of the clinical outplacement is to collaborate with and learn from clinicians in the field while implementing evidence-based care and treatment modalities for clients within their home community and obtaining the clinical hours required for program completion. The student and clinical site supervisors will enter into a contractual agreement that further defines the objectives of the outplacement based on the students’ learning needs and professional goals. Students should expect to devote 2-3 days per week for introductory placements, and 3-4 days per week for advanced placements (full day time hours) to clinical outplacements. Students may need to attend up to 5 days to obtain the required clinical hours. Clinical outplacements take place in Terms 7, 8, 9 and 10.

     

    Can I complete the placements at my current workplace?

    Clinical outplacements will be obtained and coordinated by the clinical outplacement coordinator. Individual students may provide referrals or contact information for suggested placement options in their home communities, but the contract will be obtained and completed by NEIT. Graduate student clinicians are not allowed to complete clinical placements at a site where they are an employee within the speech/language department.  Specific situations can be discussed with the Program Director and/or Clinical Education Coordinator for consideration of possible placements involving a student’s current employment site. (e.g., working as a substitute teacher for the school district where a clinical placement is available). Additional guidelines and individualized support are provided to all matriculated students and may be found in the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology handbook.
    

12. When should I begin obtaining and submitting documentation for my clinical placements?
    It is important that you start obtaining compliance documents before you plan to begin or immediately upon entering the MS SLP program. All compliance documents must be submitted at least one full term before you are scheduled to begin any clinical placement in the community. You will be provided with specific support and instructions regarding the documentation required.

13. What documentation is required for the clinical outplacements?

    The following compliance documents must be on file with NEIT one full term before beginning any clinical placement in the community.

    1. Current American Heart Association CPR certification for healthcare providers at the infant, child, and adult levels.
    2. Copy of Certificate of Malpractice Insurance (guidance in obtaining this as a student will be provided).
    3. Certificate, signed by a physician/provider, confirming immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, receiving a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria (Tdap) within the last ten years, 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or a positive titer, and COVID 19 vaccination. (Other requirements may be determined by the clinical practicum sites).
    4. Physical Exam
    5. Criminal Background Check
14. Is a Criminal Background Check required for the MS SLP program? All MS SLP students are required to have a criminal background check. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requires all healthcare facilities which they accredit to perform criminal background checks on students. Prior to entering clinical outplacements, students will be required to undergo a criminal background check. In addition to the criminal background check required by JCAHO, some clinical sites may also require a national criminal background check. Any clinical site where children are served is also required to provide proof of a criminal background check. It will be necessary for students to sign a Consent and Disclaimer permitting NEIT to perform a criminal background check and a Release and Authorization permitting NEIT to disclose the results of the criminal background check to a clinical site where the student is being considered for placement. If a background check reveals any criminal convictions, the student may be disqualified from a clinical placement or employment in the field. Students assume the cost for all background checks. Some facilities may also require a drug screen prior to accepting a student for a clinical outplacement. NEIT makes no guarantee that once a student is matriculated, the student will be able to attend any clinical outplacement, sit for the national certification or gain licensure if the student has a prior criminal conviction. This is the student’s responsibility to discover what they must do to manage a positive criminal background investigation.
15. Is the COVID-19 vaccination required for the MS SLP program? The MS SLP program clinical affiliates have different COVID-19 vaccination requirements than the university’s requirements. The clinical affiliates have a responsibility to their employees and patients to minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, all clinical affiliates require MS SLP students to provide proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination along with one booster. If a student chooses not to be vaccinated the MS SLP program may not be able to assign a student a clinical site. This will prevent the student from completing the program. Clinical sites may have exemptions for their employees; however, most clinical sites do not accept exemptions from students as they are guests at their facility. If a clinical site has exemption requirements it is the student’s responsibility to submit any required documents and follow the clinical affiliate’s COVID-19 protocol. It is up to the clinical facility to grant or deny the exemption based on the documentation provided by the student. The university has no control over policies mandated by the clinical affiliates. Students may not know if their exemption is approved by a clinical site prior to the start of a term. If an exemption is granted, individuals may also be asked to complete regular COVID-19 testing, often on a weekly basis. Additional PPE protocols may also be required. The student will assume responsibility for any additional costs associated with the exemption protocols. Students may not be able to complete all of the clinical requirements at one clinical site. If a student needs to be assigned more than one clinical site, the student will need to apply for an exemption at each clinical site to which they are assigned. The failure to comply with the clinical affiliate’s policies with regard to vaccination and/or exemption requirements will result in being dismissed from the MS SLP program. In the event the exemption is denied, the MS SLP student will be unable to attain the number of clinical hours required to complete the MS SLP program.
16. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college?

    The transferability of course credit is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.

17. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to NEIT? Transfer credit for appropriate master’s level courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered for courses in which the student has earned a “B” or above. An official transcript from the other institution must be received at admission.

18. Do I need to maintain a certain grade point average?
    The graduate student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to remain in good standing. A minimum grade of B (83%) is required for all courses taken to complete the MS SLP Program. Students may repeat a course only once. If a minimum grade of B (83%) is not obtained a second time, the student will be subject to dismissal from the MS SLP program. A student who does not earn at least a B (83%) or a Pass (P) in any three courses throughout the program will be subject to dismissal from the MS SLP program. Please note that repeating a course may require waiting until the next time it is offered and delay advancement in the program, which may incur additional tuition and fees.

19. Is there a clinical practicum/capstone requirement?
    Yes. To be eligible for graduation from New England Tech with an MS SLP degree, students must complete the clinical practicum courses and their respective clinical practicum hours as required by ASHA. The capstone project is completed during coursework in Term 8.

20. Will advisors be available to me?
    

    Yes. Students will have an academic advisor who is a faculty member of the MS SLP program. In addition, students in the MS SLP program will be assigned a Student Success Coordinator from the Office of Professional and Graduate Studies.

    The New England Tech Student Success Coordinator provides guidance, encouragement and support to students and is the primary point of contact for all student concerns and information about NEIT policies and procedures. From the individual student’s perspective, the NEIT Student Success Coordinator is the student’s college-wide advisor on all matters related to success at the university. A Student Success Coordinator assists students who are experiencing difficulties with their course work or who encounter problems that interfere with the successful completion of their program. Student Success Coordinators monitor students’ attendance and academic progress and contact students as needed. The Student Success Coordinator’s outreach to the students may include emails to students and, as needed, individual phone calls. Students may meet with their Student Success Coordinator for a degree audit and for assistance with course selection and registration. Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations must self-identify, communicate their needs to their Student Success Coordinator and provide current and comprehensive documentation concerning the nature and extent of their disability. Accommodations must be requested at the start of each term, regardless of previous term status.

21. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid?
    

    Students entering the MS SLP program will be eligible for various forms of financial aid, including loans. See your financial aid officer for additional details.

22. What does my program cost?
    

    The cost of your program will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials. (See current Tuition and Fees for the MS SLP program)

23. Are there any additional costs/activities associated with this program? Besides textbooks, the student will be required to have a complete physical exam, and immunizations or blood titer tests. Personal negligence and malpractice insurance is also required by affiliating facilities where internships are scheduled and must be in place throughout all clinical outplacements (beginning term 4 with the immersion week). A course in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required before the beginning of the 4th academic term through the American Heart Association (CPR -C, Healthcare Provider Course). Yearly renewal will be required thereafter. Applicants must provide a certificate, signed by a physician, confirming that they have been immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, that they have received a booster dose of tetanus and diphtheria (Td) within the last ten years, and 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or a positive titer before participating in clinical placements. Students who have not had the required vaccines must complete them at their own expense prior to participating in clinical immersion weeks and outplacements. Please see the MS SLP student manual for details regarding costs associated with clinical outplacements, including travel costs, health requirements and possible uniform requirements. Additional fees associated with clinical outplacement tracking software, CALIPSO, will be required. Access to simulation software and other lab materials will be included in tuition. There are fees associated with taking the national certification examination, the Praxis in Speech Language Pathology, and these fees are the responsibility of the student. The Praxis exam is not part of the college curriculum, but passing it is required in order to apply for certification through ASHA and state licensure. Additional travel expenses may be required to participate in the clinical immersion weeks (on campus in East Greenwich, Rhode Island and the greater area during week 2 of term 4 and week 2 of term 6) and are the responsibility of the student. Please see question #37.
24. What kind of employment assistance does NEIT offer?
    The Office of Career Services offers students and graduates support in resume writing, interviewing skills, and the development of a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to be circulated to employers who are seeking candidates with the skills and/or experience that matches the employers’ requirements. In addition, the Office of Career Services contacts employers to develop job leads. Graduates seeking employment at the completion of their program will also be expected to participate fully in their job search. No institution can, and NEIT does not, guarantee employment or a specific starting salary to its graduates.
25. Where will job opportunities exist?
    

    Employment opportunities are available nationally. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that “the employment of speech language pathologists is expected to grow 21 percent from 2021-2031, much faster than the average of other occupations.” Data indicated that in 2021, there were 159,800 jobs nationwide in speech language pathology.

26. Do I need special computer skills to take an online course? You will need basic familiarity with your computer, for example: emailing, using the Web, and downloading and attaching documents. No special equipment is required – just a modern Windows or Mac computer (see specifications below), an office suite such as Microsoft Office, and a broadband internet connection.

    NEIT online courses are designed to help acclimate you to the technology and build your skills and your confidence as you go. We provide 24/7 support via phone, email, or chat to help you with computer or online system issues. Note: Tablet or Chromebook computers can be useful for doing course readings, are limited in accessing all material offered on the learning management system used by the university. A desktop or laptop computer is needed to complete all coursework.

27. What are the hardware and software requirements for the program?
    

    	Recommended Minimum
    Operating System:	Windows 10 or Macintosh OS X (10.14)
    Processor:	2+ GHz
    Memory:	4GB
    Plug-ins:	Adobe PDF Reader, Flash Adobe PDF Reader, Flash, and others as required by specific courses
    Players:	QuickTime, Java Player, Java
    Browser:	Chrome, IE, Safari, Edge, Firefox (all latest versions)
    Display:	1024×768
    Software:	Office 365 (2016)
    Internet Connection:	FiOS/DSL/CABLE DSL/CABLE
    Email Account:	New England Tech student email account
    Sound Card:	Required
    Other (some programs):	•A webcam (the one built into your laptop or iPad should be fine) •A microphone (built into the computer or headset is handy). •A digital camera (the one on a smart phone is fine).

    1. Online students must be capable of installing and maintaining their own computer’s hardware and software. NEIT does not assist students with the setup of their computers.

    2. Information about obtaining the software (if any) will be made available to you at the start of each course.

28. Where do I go for help with technical issues? The Response Desk is available through email and the phone. Please realize the Response Desk can only help you with access to your online account. The Response Desk cannot help you with any software or hardware issues with your personal computer. Refer to the Office Hours document that is available in each of your Canvas courses for specific contact information as well as hours of operation.
29. How can I get help with my coursework when I need it? There are several ways that you can get the help you need with your coursework. First, your instructor will be available to you through email, virtual office hours/meetings, and the phone; second, your Student Success Coordinator is also available through email, virtual office hours/meetings and the phone; and finally, the Academic Skills Center will be available via email and the phone. PLEASE NOTE: It is important for both your personal and professional growth that you do all the work yourself. New England Tech has a strict Academic Integrity Policy that is part of every course syllabus.
30. How do I get help from other university departments? At the beginning of each term, you will receive a list of contact information for every university service. The list includes where you can find each service such as the university catalog and URL, the name and contact information for the individual responsible for each service such as the telephone number and email address, and the hours when each service is available. Examples of services include the Academic Skills Center, the Bookstore, the Career Services Office, the Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Student Advisors from the Office of Student Support Services, the Library, Student Accounts, the Office of Teaching and Learning, and the Response Desk. In addition, the student success coordinator will be available to assist you in identifying resources available to you.
31. How do I buy textbooks? Students may purchase their textbooks either through the bookstore or through online merchants. Your professor will provide the course syllabus to you prior to the start of class to allow you time to purchase the textbooks. Textbook information for all courses is available through the bookstore prior to the start of the course. Please review the contact information for the bookstore in the Office Hours document.
32. Are there attendance and participation requirements? Yes. Students are required to be actively engaged for 80% of class time, which includes all course activities (e.g., discussion boards, assignments, synchronous meetings, etc.). Students who fail to do so may be subject to failure of the course. See the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology student manual and each individual course syllabus for specifics regarding the attendance policies.
33. How will I submit my course assignments and take exams? You will receive information from your professor about how to submit your assignments through the Canvas learning management system. You may be asked to take online or web-based quizzes and exams, submit papers online, engage in group work, or prepare a portfolio of your work online. Your professor will notify you of all testing and assignment submission requirements.
34. Will I have a course Professor? Yes, each professor has developed and will facilitate each course. Professors are essential to online learning at the New England Institute of Technology. All professors are trained to teach online. In the online setting, professors devote as much time to communicating with the class as they do in the traditional classroom. They log in regularly to respond to questions, direct discussion and evaluate assignments. They will meet with students as outlined in the syllabus for the course, and as needed with individual students.
35. Will I interact with other students? Yes. You will interact with other students in all your online courses. Through online discussions, email, and other group activities, you can develop an electronic peer network and participate in discussion forums and online study groups. Courses which include synchronous meetings will allow you to meet and work with your peers. Those peers will also attend immersion weeks with you, where you will meet and work together in person.
36. Is licensure required to practice as a Speech Language Pathologist? All states require licensure to practice. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for board certification or attain state licensure. Graduates of the MS SLP program will be eligible to sit for the national Praxis Examination in Speech Language Pathology. After successful completion of this exam, the individual can pursue the certificate of clinical competence through the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on provisional licensure during the clinical fellowship process through the ASHA. Because of the complex nature of licensing requirements and because these requirements can vary from state to state, as well as change periodically, we cannot list all the requirements for licenses available or required in all states. It is the responsibility of each student to determine licensure requirements in the specific state in which the individual plans to practice. It is everyone’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to the practice as a speech language pathologist. Your professors or department chair can give you help as needed. Please see the ASHA website for further information for each state: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/NEIT makes no representations or guarantees that completion of NEIT coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure, authorization, endorsement, or other state credential.Important note for prospective students: If you are considering an academic program that leads to professional licensure in your state, it is highly recommended that you first seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in your home state BEFORE beginning the academic program located outside your state. Please see the ASHA website for further information for each state: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/
37. Will I need to arrange travel/lodging for clinical immersion?  Yes, students traveling to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, for clinical immersion weeks will need to make travel and lodging arrangements. The clinical immersion weeks will be scheduled during week 2 of Term 4 and week 2 of Term 6. Students will be provided with more specific information regarding immersion weeks including the schedule and timeline overall at the start of the program during orientation, and in the term prior to the immersion week. During clinical immersion weeks, students may be required to travel within the surrounding area to participate in clinical experiences.
38. Does the MS SLP program have a dress code? Appropriate attire will be required during your clinical outplacements and all attendance in professional settings required by the program (e.g., attending a community event as an assignment for a class). Specific dress codes will be provided to you prior to each clinical outplacement. It is understood that in a professional work environment, clothing must adhere to the standards of the profession and be practical to allow the individual to carry out his/her job responsibilities.
39. Are there any behavior standards for this program? MS SLP students are expected to exhibit ethical and professional behavior. This will be assessed on a continual basis and will encompass not only grades but also adherence to classroom protocol, attendance, participation and preparedness for class, appearance, ability to work as a team member, and professional behavior during clinical observation weeks. Development of professional values and attitudes is inherent in the curriculum, and students will be expected to exhibit such behavior to assure a placement in a clinical setting.

Professional Standards for Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology Program

Students enrolled in the NEIT’s Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program will be held to the American Speech Language Hearing Association Code of Ethics. The ASHA Code of Ethics “is a framework and focused guide for professionals in support of day-to-day decision-making related to professional conduct. The Code is partly obligatory and disciplinary and partly aspirational and descriptive in that it defines the professional’s role. The Code educates professionals in the discipline, as well as students, other professionals, and the public, regarding ethical principles and standards that direct professional conduct.” (https://www.asha.org/code-of-ethics/). Failure to uphold these standards may result in dismissal from any speech language pathology program.

Essential Abilities

NEIT has specified essential abilities (professional standards) critical to the success of students enrolled in the NEIT MS SLP program. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria, and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities (professional standards) with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Essential judgment skills to include the ability to identify, assess, and comprehend conditions surrounding client situations for the purpose of problem-solving and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or courses of action.
• Essential neurological functions to include the ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct judgments regarding client conditions for the purpose of demonstrating competence to safely engage in the practice of speech language pathology. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological functions include but are not limited to, observing, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and employing psychomotor abilities.
• Essential communication skills to include the ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, patients, and all members of the healthcare team. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities consistent with effective communication.
• Essential emotional coping skills to include the ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of speech language pathology as determined by professional standards of practice.
• Essential intellectual and conceptual skills to include ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of speech language pathology.
• Other essential behavioral attributes to include ability to engage in activities consistent with the safe practice of speech language pathology without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the MS SLP program and as a developing professional speech language pathologist.