Thiel College to Launch First Graduate Program
GREENVILLE, Pa. – With approval from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Thiel College is adding its first graduate degree program.
In August, Thiel was awarded candidacy status by the association’s Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. Graduate students can enroll in the Master of Science in speech language pathology program at Thiel beginning May 2020.
Admission for students in the communication sciences and disorders program will be streamlined into the master’s program with “generous scholarship support,” according to the college.
“This stands as a historic moment for the college. This endorsement says the accreditation council is confident Thiel College is prepared, and we have met or exceeded the established candidacy standards,” says Susan Traverso, president of the college. “We are proud and excited to have reached this new phase in the college’s development and look forward to the life-changing opportunity this creates not only for our students and the college but for the region.”
It’s taken years of intensive development work by faculty and staff to achieve the 15-month program, says Elizabeth Frombgen, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. Work included a site visit by the accrediting agency, interviews with key personnel and extensive reviews of Thiel’s strategic plan and application materials.
“Many graduate programs take two years to complete. We condensed our program by eliminating breaks and maximizing efficiencies,” Frombgen adds.
The program is open to students who have earned a B.S. in communication sciences and disorders at Thiel. Graduates with other degrees and outside candidates who have completed prerequisite courses also are eligible for the program.
Students will work in an on-campus clinic and will take a six-credit externship in a school and medical setting. Thiel has partnerships with schools districts, medical facilities and long-term care facilities in the region.
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