Stony Brook Southampton Expands Speech-Language Pathology Program

Stony Brook Southampton debuted newly expanded high-tech facilities for its speech-language pathology (SLP) master’s degree program just in time for the fall 2021 semester to help meet the growing demand for such services on the East End.

The new larger facility at the School of Health Technology and Management (SHTM) includes classrooms, labs and a control room with the latest technology for SLP education including simulation training and video-conferencing capacities. 

“The addition of the SLP program complements our already strong educational programming in the areas of the health professions,” Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of the SHTM, said following a September 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The SLP program adds to our nationally ranked occupational and physical therapy programs, rounding out programs related to rehabilitation, which are unique and much-needed on the East End of Long Island.”

SLPs helps optimize speech rehabilitation and clinical care for patients with stroke, neurological diseases, post-COVID issues, children with autism and other disorders, and individuals learning English as a second language. Careers in SLP are in a variety of settings: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, schools, agencies and private practices.

The profession has an expected job growth rate of 21 percent to 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. There is a bilingual component of the program that is crucial, as recent U.S. Census data show that 22 percent of Suffolk County households speak a language other than English.

“These facilities will support student learning and success in both telehealth and interprofessional team practice,” said Renee Fabus, Ph.D., chair of the SLP Program.