MSSLP Graduates Eligible for PA Educational Specialist Certification

GMercyU received initial Pennsylvania Department of Education approval for graduates of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSSLP) program to be eligible for PA Educational Specialist Certification.

The certification permits graduates to be employed in PA schools as SLPs, therefore enhancing career pathways for our graduates.

The university's application to offer the School Speech and Language Pathologist PK-12 post-baccalaureate certification preparation program was reviewed by the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality (BSLTQ). Program approval states that students recommended by GMercyU will be considered for certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

GMercyU's MSSLP program equips students with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to prevent, assess, and treat all aspects of human communication and swallowing disorders. Graduates of the program are eligible to begin their Clinical Fellowship Experience and apply for an American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), state licensure, and school certification.

Communication is one of the most important life skills and a critical component of the human experience. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) positively impact people’s lives through the prevention, assessment, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. U.S. News and World Report ranks speech-language pathology as #3 of best healthcare jobs and #9 of the best jobs in America for 2025.

Learn more about GMercyU's MSSLP program.