Two Catholic universities, Caldwell University and Saint Elizabeth University in Morris Township, have inked a partnership that they say provides students with the opportunity to pursue competitive master of science degrees in speech-language pathology and physician assistant with Saint Elizabeth University after earning bachelor of science degrees from Caldwell.
This signing will provide Caldwell University students with access to in-demand master’s programs that may otherwise be unattainable because of the limited offerings in New Jersey. The agreement includes a number of seats in the master’s programs guaranteed to qualified Caldwell University graduates who meet all requirements.
Nationwide, the demand for speech-language pathology is high. The speech-language pathology profession is projected to grow 19% through 2032, much faster than the average (3%) for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth translates to 33,100 speech-language pathology jobs. Cohort sizes remain very small, which means entrance criteria remain highly selective.
Physician assistant remains a fast-growing field. Employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 20% from 2024 to 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 12,000 openings for physician assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
“To be able to tell our students that the odds of earning acceptance to one of these elite master’s programs have shifted in their favor, is something we care deeply about as their primary providers of higher education and professional opportunities,” said Caldwell University President Jeffrey Senese. “Student success has always been our priority, and this partnership strongly reinforces that.”
Saint Elizabeth University, with its Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, will be accepting students from a partner Catholic institution that educates its students with similar values.
“Caldwell University is known for producing strong graduates, so it was an easy decision for us,” said Saint Elizabeth University President Gary Crosby. “We look forward to welcoming Caldwell students to these programs. Saint Elizabeth University is proud to join with Caldwell University in creating clear, attainable pathways into two of the nation’s most competitive and in-demand healthcare fields. This partnership not only expands access for Caldwell students but also strengthens our shared Catholic mission of preparing compassionate, highly skilled professionals who will meet critical workforce needs across New Jersey and beyond.”
Caldwell University students in the biology and health science bachelor of science programs will have the opportunity to pursue the physician assistant master of science degree, and students in the communication science and disorders bachelor of science program may qualify to pursue the speech-language pathology master of science degree.
