Speech-Language Pathology - Next Steps for Admitted Students

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.

Only required for those who did not pay their deposit online.

To set up your BW Network Account, go to myaccount.bw.edu and confirm your identity using your BW student ID which is printed on your letter of admission. If you don't know your BW student ID or have questions, please contact Shae Jasany-Maresco at (440) 826-8005 or smaresco@bw.edu.

The BW network access gives you access to BW email, Canvas and many online resources that you’ll use as a member of the BW community. Please note, communications from the SLP program will come through your BW email. Regular monitoring is encouraged.

Students admitted with coursework pending (prerequisites or final degree) need to send a final, official transcript to BW’s Office of Admission.

• Students admitted with pending spring coursework/degree completion should submit by June 15.
• Students admitted with pending summer coursework/degree completions should submit by August 11.

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 Shae Jasany-Maresco at smaresco@bw.edu or (440) 826-8005.

Program Costs and Financial Assistance

BW’s Office of Financial Aid has developed a guide to outline how the SLP program costs will be distributed. Please refer to this document for additional information.

FAFSA

Incoming graduate students are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA to determine federal direct student loan eligibility. Be sure to submit the 2023-24 FAFSA using BW's Federal ID code: 003014.

Graduate PLUS loans are available to help SLP students finance any remaining educational costs not covered by federal direct student loans, including program costs and estimated living expenses as determined by the financial aid process. Learn more about financing options for graduate students.

All SLP students are required to complete a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting, as part of the initial enrollment process.

Beginning June 1, visit Baldwin Wallace University’s CastleBranch portal link to start this process. Please note, this process can take up to 4-6 weeks to complete. Delaying this process could affect program enrollment.

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.

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.

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.

The BW SLP program has partnered with CastleBranch, a background check and compliance management company to coordinate fingerprinting, medical information and CPR. Go to the Baldwin Wallace University CastleBranch portal to begin this process.

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

Prior to beginning the SLP program, students must have personal health documentation on file in the Speech-Language Pathology office. The BW SLP program has partnered with CastleBranch, a background check and compliance management company to coordinate fingerprinting, medical information and CPR. Go to the Baldwin Wallace University CastleBranch portal to begin this process.

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
  • Polio
  • 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

The two-step Mantoux Tb skin test is required to be completed by the student's healthcare provider. This is an annual requirement of the affiliating clinical agencies and will need to be repeated by the student during the program prior to expiration with documentation provided to the SLP program. Students who have a medical history of a false positive, allergy to the Mantoux test, BCG vaccination or are a converter are required to undergo Tb QuantiFERON testing (interferon-gamma release assay [IGRA]) for Tb infection through their provider, annually.

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.

Personal Health/Medical Insurance

Proof of medical insurance coverage must be provided to the director of clinical education for the SLP program before orientation and will be collected through CastleBranch.
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.

SLP Program Orientation and Important Dates

Attendance at orientation is mandatory for all incoming SLP students. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

2023 Orientation: Thursday, August 17 and Friday, August 18, 2023
Classes Begin: Monday, August 21, 2023

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.

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 are required to follow University parking regulations. Visit campus access services for parking regulations and details. Students are responsible for any citation fines, which can be paid online through Jacket Payment. Unpaid fines are attached to the student bill after ten days.

Graduate Housing

BW is located just 20 minutes from Cleveland, and SLP students find many affordable housing options within the surrounding communities. SLP students who wish to live in campus-owned housing may consider a BW graduate student apartment.

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 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.