Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology

Degree

For admission to the SLPD program, applicants must be a speech-language pathologist, having an earned a bachelor’s degree (in any field) and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from one of the following:

1. A regionally accredited U.S. college or university
2. An accredited college or university (for those educated outside the U.S.)

GRE

The GRE is not required for Masters-prepared applicants.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

• Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation. 

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.   

• To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
• For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements.  

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program. 

The Office of Admission strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (admissions[at]mghihp[dot]edu). If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts be sent to the mailing address listed below:
      

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Essay/Goal Statement

An essay is required for admission to the IHP SLPD program, which should include self-reflection related to leadership potential and long-term goals. The applicant will be prompted to upload the essay as part of supplemental materials, after submitting the application online.

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following:    

The mission of the MGH Institute of Health Professions Clinical Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology program is to develop highly effective leaders who draw upon cutting-edge clinical expertise and critical thinking abilities to advance the impact of our profession on patient outcomes. MGH IHP highly values having a diverse student population as a key element in the educational experience of its students. Diversity presents itself in many different social identities, such as: socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or place of origin, ability, unique life or work experience, etc.  

During the program, students will complete a Capstone Project based on a topic area or skill set that aligns with their unique learning goals. Using 5,000 characters or less:

1. Describe your short and long-term career goals and how they relate to your current clinical practice area
2. Describe how you anticipate your academic pursuits at IHP will help you achieve these goals, and lastly
3. Reflect and share how your social identities, experiences, and/or perspectives might advance the impact of our profession on patient outcomes.

If you are applying to the SLPD program with a Capstone project mentor in mind, please also include how you envision this mentor helping you achieve your professional goals.

(Optional) Recommendation Letters

Letters should address the applicant’s potential for graduate education/scholarly study and the applicant’s potential for leadership within the profession. 

All recommendations will be processed electronically through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within the online application.

Resume or CV

Please upload your most recent resume or CV. At a minimum this document should include:

• Undergraduate and any graduate institutions, degree(s), major, minor/concentration (if applicable)
• Your SLP License information (state and number), if licensed in the United States.
• Certifications and Professional Designations
• Employment Experiences

For more information about the academic program, curriculum, or course requirements:

Please contact the Program Director.

For information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit:

You are welcome to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (email the admission office), or call (617) 726-1304 weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) degree is primarily for students who want to acquire additional knowledge and skills in a focused area of speech-language pathology in order to assume advanced professional roles-such as master clinician, clinical educator, clinical administrator, or leader in a clinical setting or area of specialization-or to serve as collaborators and supporters of clinical research. The SLPD is unlike the PhD, where the primary focus of students is research.  The SLPD program allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree and takes less time to complete than the PhD. 

Students have flexibility in when they choose to enter the program, with either a Summer semester start or a Fall semester start. Each cohort will have approximately 12 students.

The SLPD is beneficial to individuals who wish to take on roles as master clinicians, clinical educators, clinical administrators, or who wish to become more active in research. Approximately 10% of university positions in the field during the 2010-2011 academic year were filled by individuals with an SLPD. You can do many things following your speech-language pathology doctoral studies, including Pediatric speech pathology, language therapy specialization and SLP leadership roles.