Communication Sciences and Disorders Program

I. Admission Requirements

Graduates from an accredited college or university are eligible to apply for admission. Students who have earned degrees in other areas may also apply. Students seeking unconditional admission to the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders must present with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Students must present with scores from the verbal, quantitative, and writing sections of the GRE test. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years.

Non-Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate majors may apply to the master’s program but will be required to complete prerequisite courses prior to beginning required graduate coursework. Students without the prerequisite coursework should expect their program length to be extended.

Admission to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is limited and competitive. Admission decisions are based upon a student’s credentials independently and in relation to those of other individuals applying. 

II. Program Requirements

A typical student who has completed all prerequisite coursework is expected to graduate with 2 years or 5 - 6 semesters of full-time study and clinical practicum. Students may also apply to be admitted to a specialty track. General students who are not on any specialty tracks must meet satisfactory performance requirements and earn a minimum of 60 credit hours, including all General Core Courses and a minimum of 8 credit hours of elective and seminar courses. Clinical practicum requirements include 400 supervised patient contact hours and 25 clinic observation hours. Students who are on a specialty track will need to complete all the General core courses, as well as all the courses listed under their specific specialty requirement.

Bilingual Concentration

The Bilingual Concentration is a 9-credit hour sequence designed to prepare both mono- and multilingual graduate students in speech-language pathology to evaluate and treat clients from linguistically diverse backgrounds across the lifespan. Students will gain an understanding of typical bilingual lanuage development, the presentation of speech and language disorders in bilingual populations, and how to evaluate and intervenve in a culturally responsive manner. The required courses include: EDSH 5780  , EDSH 5782  (proposed new course), and EDSH 5795  (or another elective approved by the graduate director).

III. Exit Requirements

• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in the required graduate core courses for all tracks.
• Students are required to have earned a minimum of 60 semester hours. Students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders will be required to take additional hours in normal speech, language, and hearing development.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. At least 25 hours must have been spent in guided observation and at least 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact. Students must demonstrate depth and breadth of clinical experiences.
• Successful completion of a three-credit thesis (EDSH 5799 ) or the capstone course (EDSH 5786 ) is required.
• Satisfactory achievement on a comprehensive written examination is required for all students. Students need not have completed all required courses prior to taking the examination.  However, material covered in all courses may be included on the examination.