New Student Orientation

Winter 2026 Start Orientation Dates

The mandatory orientation for new students starting the MS-SLP distance program (online) in Winter 2026 is scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025. The event will be held virtually. Please plan to attend the orientation from 11:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. Additional details will be sent via email to new students.

 

Summer 2026 Start Orientation Dates

Beginning 2026, the program will no longer start students in the summer term.

 

Fall 2026 Start Orientation Dates

Distance Cohort (Online Program)

Orientation for the distance (online) cohort will be held virtually in August 2026. Further details TBD.

Residential Cohort (Fort Lauderdale/Davie Program)

Orientation for the residential (Fort Lauderdale/Davie) cohort will be held in person in August 2026. Further details TBD.

Pre-Matriculation Checklist

Seat Deposit

In your acceptance letter, you were provided with information regarding the submission of the mandatory seat deposit. Making this deposit will hold a place for you in our program for up to one calendar year from the date of planned matriculation included in your admission letter. Please be sure to complete this process by the due date. Once you start the program, this deposit will be released to your student account to go towards tuition, books, etc.

 
Core Functions
In submitting the requisite seat deposit, you have acknowledged that you have read and can meet the Core Functions for Students in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Nova Southeastern University. Click here to review the core functions for students in the department, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Clinical Hours

A requirement of ASHA's CFCC for certification following graduation includes documentation of a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of guided clinical observation of (an) ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist(s) (SLP)(s). The guided clinical observation hours must be within the ASHA Scope of Practice for Speech-Language Pathology. Completion of these guided clinical observation hours is also a requirement of admission to the MS-SLP program. If you did not supply a completed document of this requirement with your CSDCAS application, you will be contacted by the program office to supply a copy.

  1. If you completed the hours as part of a course, appropriate documentation will include the name, signature, date of signature, and ASHA certification number of the person verifying completion of the course and completion of the requisite guided clinical observation hours.
  2. If completion of the hours were NOT part of a course, appropriate documentation must be in the form of either a letter verifying completion of a minimum of 25 hours of guided clinical observation, complete with the name, signature, date of signature, statement regarding the time period of when the observations were completed and ASHA certification number of the person verifying completion OR a log of all completed guided clinical observations, signed by each ASHA-certified SLP observed, with the ASHA certification number of each SLP observed.  The student must also add a statement verifying discussions with the observed SLP regarding what was observed and what transpired during (the) observed session(s).  
Acceptable letters must be on letterhead or some sort of official documentation. There is NOT a standard form for logging hours. You can create your own, following the guidelines above.
Health and Safety Screenings
You will receive an email from the university regarding DISA Healthcare Technology. This is the company used by the university to manage requisite immunizations, physical examinations, and background checks. These requirements must be initiated before matriculation or shortly thereafter. Since some immunizations involve a series of inoculations over time, e.g., Hepatitis B, you will want to begin as soon as possible.

There are three items, tuberculosis testing, influenza vaccination, and the physical examination, which are completed annually. All questions regarding immunizations, physical examinations, and background checks are to be directed to June DeRico-Moncada, Student Affairs. For questions, call (954) 262-1087.

Orientation Contact

The contact person for the orientation event is Steven Vertz, M.S., CCC-SLP, Associate Director and Instructor.

Email - svertz@nova.edu
Phone - (954) 262-7735
Text - (954) 408-3993

Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, you will need to begin by completing the FAFSA. Before signing for loans, make sure you understand how the debt will affect you.  

For comprehensive information on your financial aid options, please read through all of the financial aid information that the office has to offer, or contact them directly at:

Phone: (954) 262-3380
Toll-free: (800) 806-3680
Fax: (954) 262-3966

Contact Student Financial Assistance