McDaniel College Moves to Develop New Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

McDaniel College Moves to Develop New Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology

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EXPANDING GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

McDaniel College is continuing to grow its graduate programs, while expanding the college’s academic offerings in health care, with the development of a new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

The program has received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and is expected to launch in spring 2027, pending approval by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

D’Jaris Coles-White, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathology researcher and practitioner, has joined McDaniel to serve as the inaugural program director.

Currently a member of the Board of Ethics for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and past president of the Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association, she was appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Board of Speech-Language Pathology from 2021–2024. Coles-White holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Columbia College in South Carolina, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Ph.D. in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I am excited to welcome D’Jaris Coles-White to McDaniel and have her valuable expertise in helping to develop and finalize our new speech-language pathology program,” said Vickie Mazer, dean of Graduate and Professional Studies. “This new program will be the fourth in Maryland and only the second program of its kind at a private institution in the state to prepare students for entry level into the profession. It aligns with the college’s strategic plan by addressing the regional and statewide need for speech-language pathologists, particularly in K-12 schools.”

The Speech-Language Pathology program will be campus-based with some courses available in a hybrid format in the second year, similar to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, to allow for flexible scheduling during the required clinical externship placement experiences.

I am genuinely excited for the opportunity to shape McDaniel’s new Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. I believe my rich background in both higher education and clinical practice will be beneficial in this new role and am eager to contribute to the program’s growth and success. ”

D’JARIS COLES-WHITE, DIRECTOR OF M.S IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Building for the Future: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology

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A computer-generated simulation of nursing students in a classroom.

A computer-generated nursing simulation.

Beginning in fall 2026, McDaniel’s Nursing students will have access to Carroll Hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities at The Kahlert Foundation Nursing Education Center.

Inherent in our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation is transforming health care education in our region through the development of new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.), and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. in S-LP) programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the growth in these three careers between 2024 and 2034 would range from 5% to 15%, so to support that workforce demand, McDaniel aims to make a lasting impact on the community’s health and well-being.

The success of these programs depends not only on hiring top-tier faculty but also a commitment to hands-on, practical learning housed in modern facilities that are equipped with simulation laboratories, state-of-the-art technology, and classrooms designed specifically for health care education to create an immersive learning environment that mirrors the rigors and realities of the health care field. Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on new construction to house these new academic programs, the college is proud to use existing resources and partnerships to maximize our return on investment.

By 2026, the B.S.N. program will be officially based out of Carroll Hospital in The Kahlert Foundation Nursing Education Center, thanks to a landmark partnership between the college and LifeBridge Health and a $2.5 million grant from The Kahlert Foundation. “While there are numerous examples of medical systems that are affiliated with large universities, it is unique for a college to partner with an existing system in this way,” said President Julia Jasken at the announcement of the partnership last October. “We are eager to create a new model designed to create a long-term solution to address the critical need for nurses.”

McDaniel’s Nursing students will have access to Carroll Hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Kahlert Foundation Simulation Center, and be provided early and frequent exposure to clinical work within a hospital setting.

Here on the Hill, construction has begun on renovations in Merritt Hall, which will be the new home of the OT, S-LP, and Early Childhood Education programs. The space will be fitted with new simulation labs, classrooms, and even a mock apartment for OT students to learn how to set up patients for independent living.

While there are numerous examples of medical systems that are affiliated with large universities, it is unique for a college to partner with an existing system in this way. We are eager to create a new model designed to create a long-term solution to address the critical need for nurses.“

PRESIDENT JULIA JASKEN