M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology New Student Orientation

Welcome, Future Sharks! 

We are excited to welcome you to the Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology program! New Student Orientation is an important first step in your graduate school journey and an opportunity to learn more about the program, meet faculty and fellow students, and prepare for a successful start. 

Attendance at New Student Orientation is required for all incoming M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology students. Please save the date for your cohort's orientation below. 
  
Winter 2027 Start 
Distance Cohort | Online Program 
Date/Day: Friday, December 4, 2026 
Time: 1:45 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST 
Virtual 
We look forward to welcoming our Winter 2027 distance students online! During orientation, you will receive important information and resources to help you prepare for your first semester in the M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology program. Additional orientation details, including information about how to join the virtual session, will be sent to new students via email. 
  
Fall 2027 Start 
Distance Cohort | Online Program 
Date/day: Friday, July 30, 2027 
Time: 1:45 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST 
Virtual 
Our Fall 2027 distance students will begin their M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology journey with a virtual New Student Orientation. Please plan to participate for the entire orientation session. Additional information and instructions for joining the virtual orientation will be sent to new students via email. 
  
Fall 2027 Start 
Residential Cohort | Fort Lauderdale/Davie Program 
Date/Day: Friday, August 6, 2027 
Time: 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST 
In Person—Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus 
We are excited to welcome our Fall 2027 residential students to campus! New Student Orientation will provide an opportunity to become familiar with the program, connect with faculty and classmates, and get ready for the start of your graduate experience. Additional information about the orientation schedule, location, and other important details will be sent to new students via email.

 

We Can't Wait to Welcome You! 

Starting graduate school is an exciting milestone, and New Student Orientation is where your M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology journey begins. Please mark your calendar, watch your email for additional information, and come ready to meet your faculty, connect with your classmates, and officially become part of our Department of Speech-Language Pathology community.

Welcome to the program—and go Sharks!

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. The tuberculosis testing must be completed and reported 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, as follows:

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

Contact Student Financial Assistance