Speech-Language Pathology - Next Steps for Admitted Students

Contact

Christie Needham
Director of Clinic Education
(440) 826-2149
cneedham@bw.edu

Welcome to the Master of Science in speech-language pathology program! This page provides instructions on pre-enrollment requirements that you must meet prior to beginning your program in August 2026. Please read through the following information carefully to confirm when to begin these requirements. Some of them, such as the background check and scheduling for immunizations/medical check often require 4-6 weeks to complete.

Finalize Your Enrollment

Pay Tuition Deposits

All new students in the Master of Science in speech-language pathology program must pay an initial $300 new student deposit followed by a $1,000 tuition deposit to secure their enrollment in this selective degree program. These payments are nonrefundable and will be applied directly to your first-semester tuition.

View additional details and instructions regarding payment.

Set Up Your BW Network Account

The BW network gives you access to BW email, Canvas and online resources you'll use as a graduate student and member of the BW community.

In order to gain access to your BW network credentials and set your password, please log into your BW admitted student portal. Instructions on accessing this portal were provided in the email with the following subject line: An update to your Baldwin Wallace University application. Please note that you will need the mobile number you detailed in your application to take next steps in setting up your BW account.

If you experience any technical difficulties when setting up your BW network account, please contact our BW IT Support at (440) 826-7000 or helpdesk@bw.edu.

Send Final Transcripts to BW

Students admitted with coursework pending (final degree) need to send a final, official transcript to BW's Office of Admission no later than May 31, 2026.

Students admitted with pending spring coursework/degree completion should submit by June 13.
Students admitted with pending summer coursework/degree completions should submit by August 8.

Transcripts can be sent electronically to admit@bw.edu or mailed to:

Office of Admission 
Baldwin Wallace University 
275 Eastland Road
Berea, OH 44017

For questions on sending in final admission documentation, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (440) 826-8012 or graduate@bw.edu if you have any questions.

Financing Your SLP Degree

Program Costs and Financial Assistance

View SLP program costs and financial assistance information.

FAFSA

Incoming graduate students are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA to determine federal direct student loan eligibility. Be sure to submit the 2026-27 FAFSA using BW's Federal ID code: 003014.

SLP Program Onboarding

Background Check

All SLP students are required to complete a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting, as part of the initial enrollment process. This will take place during the mandatory orientation in August.

Students whose background checks reveal a criminal history or arrest record of any sort that has not been expunged or sealed, and that cannot be successfully adjudicated prior to the beginning of the program, will not be allowed to begin the Master of Science SLP program.

Although students with an expunged record may be eligible for enrollment in BW's SLP program, an expunged or sealed record may impact a student's eligibility for clinical placement or future employment in certain work settings. Eligibility for a professional license varies by state and may be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the professional licensing board.

Drug Testing

Substance abuse is incompatible with the practice of professional speech-language pathology. The Master of Science SLP program at Baldwin Wallace University recognizes its responsibility to maintain a drug-free educational environment and to ensure that students provide safe, high-quality speech-language pathology services while engaged in official school educational activities. In keeping with this goal, the faculty support the policies set forth by the University relative to the use of drugs and alcohol.

As guests in the healthcare facilities at which the Master of Science SLP program affiliates, students will be subject to the policies of the agency, which may include random urine testing. If student drug or alcohol usage is detected in the clinical setting, the student will be tested at the clinical agency in accordance with agency policies. Detection of drug or alcohol usage while in the clinical setting will result in immediate dismissal from the Master of Science SLP program.

All students returning to the Master of Science SLP program after an absence will again be subject to substance abuse testing.

CPR Certification

Many hospital affiliations for the SLP program require that speech-language pathology students are certified in CPR. All students must complete this before August orientation or they will not be permitted into the clinical setting, which then will impact progression in the program.

Please note, only American Hearing Association BLS/Healthcare Provider CPR Certification will be accepted.

Immunizations and Health Screening

Download: SLP Program Immunization and Health Form

Prior to beginning the SLP program, students must have personal health documentation on file in the Speech-Language Pathology office. The BW SLP program will provide detailed instructions on how to submit this documentation in June.

When you enroll in the SLP program, your health documentation must include proof of the following:

Appropriate immunizations, or written validation of titers establishing immunity for:
- MMR (rubeola aka: measles, mumps and rubella)
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis
- Chicken Pox (varicella)
- Hepatitis B
- COVID-19
- Completion of a physical examination within one year prior to admission to the program, confirming a health status that qualifies the person to work directly with patients (refer to BW Technical Standards for Speech-Language Pathology Students).

Tuberculin Skin Testing

Results of the 2-step Mantoux TB skin tests or Quantiferon-TB Gold blood test are required to be completed by the student's healthcare provider. This is an annual requirement and will need to be completed by the student with their healthcare provider. See the SLP Program Immunization and Health Form for more details. Results must be shared with the SLP program according to the instructions provided.

Annual Influenza Vaccination

After enrolling in the SLP program, students must have an annual influenza vaccination administered during influenza season (October through March). The student must provide written validation to the SLP program that the vaccination has been received before the student will be permitted to continue in the clinical area beyond fall semester.

COVID-19

Please note: Clinical affiliates have the right to add/change immunization policies at any time throughout the duration of the program. SLP students will be subject to COVID-19 vaccination policies established through clinical affiliation agreements. Students are strongly encouraged to complete vaccination for COVID-19. Without proof of successful vaccination, participation in clinical placements cannot be guaranteed.

Clinical Experience

As a guest of the healthcare facilities that provide clinical experiences, students are subject to the policies of the facility, which include meeting the above standards for immunizations and the ability to work directly with patients (BW Technical Standards for Speech-Language Pathology Students). Because clinical experience is an essential element of the SLP program, the inability to work in direct patient care will result in the student not continuing in the program.

Proof of Insurance

Personal Health/Medical Insurance

Proof of medical insurance coverage must be provided to the director of clinical education for the SLP program before orientation.

Students must provide their own personal health insurance while a student at Baldwin Wallace University. Proof of insurance will be required prior to participating in any clinical experience. Neither the university nor clinical affiliates cover student health-related incidents.

Professional Liability Insurance

Baldwin Wallace provides professional liability insurance for speech-language pathology students while they are at a clinical site at no cost to the student. This policy provides coverage while on site at the clinical setting only. This coverage does not extend beyond the active clinical experience under the auspice of this speech-language pathology program.

Getting Started at BW

Campus Life and Other Program Items

SLP Program Orientation and Important Dates

Attendance at orientation is mandatory for all incoming SLP students.

Mandatory orientation: August 20-22, 2025
First day of classes: August 25, 2025

Books and Supplies

Books are covered in the cost of the program and will be distributed as electronic books during orientation. Online fees for the Calipso program used to track competencies and hours will be provided. Students will be provided a computer with necessary accessories as part of tuition.

Jacket Express

At the beginning of the semester, students will receive a mobile Jacket Express card.

BW has excellent event programming, including nationally-known speakers, concerts, theatre productions, art exhibits and athletic events. Most of these are free or available to students at a reduced charge by presenting your Jacket Express card. The Jacket Express card also provides access to the Lou Higgins Recreation Center and Ritter Library.

Parking

Baldwin Wallace provides student parking for Master of Science SLP students while they are on the BW campus at no cost to the student. All students, commuter and on-campus residents, are required to register their vehicles and follow University parking regulations.

Students are responsible for any citation fines, which can be paid online through Jacket Payment. Unpaid fines are attached to the student bill after 10 days.

Health Services

All students enrolled in at least one class are eligible for services at BW's Health Center (insurance is not required). Basic clinical care is provided with doctors and nurse practitioners available by appointment for additional services.

Teleconference appointments are also available.

Counseling Center

Counseling services are provided at no charge to students for individual, group or urgent/emergency counseling services. A $25 fee is charged for psychiatry services. Walk-in and telehealth counseling appointments are available.

BW Academic Support Services

BW Office of Accessible Education (OAE)

The Office of Accessible Education (OAE) works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. Students who have or think they may have a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical or systemic) are invited to contact the OAE to arrange a confidential discussion at (440) 826-2147 or disability@bw.edu.

BW Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA)

The BW Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) supports and strengthens the academic experience of BW's diverse community through services and resources designed to empower learners to maximize their educational and professional goals. Students have access to learning resources, tutoring, and reading and writing support. For more information: (440) 826-2425 or casa@bw.edu.