Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Program Overview
Master of Science Program (MS)
The Master of Science program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is designed to offer students a wide range of training experiences related to the treatment/management of communication and swallowing disorders. Students will receive academic and clinical experiences that meet the requirements for certification in Speech-Language Pathology from the Council for Clinical Certification (CFCC) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Program Tracks
The Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders offers two tracks:
- Speech-Language Pathology track: a 2-year, 56 (minimum) credit hour program of study designed to train clinical speech-language pathologists.
- Communication Science track: requires a thesis for a research training component and does not train clinical speech-language pathology.
Admission Information
Students who did not graduate with a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders (or a related degree) and have not completed required pre-requisite courses may apply to the Master's Program as a provisional student. This option is only offered to students who wish to enroll in the on-campus program.
Advising Information
The MS Program Director is Emily Brewer.
Information Sessions
Information sessions are held on various dates, including:
- January 26, 2026: 12:00-1:00 EST (VIRTUAL)
- February 27, 2026: 1:00-2:00 EST (VIRTUAL)
- March 26, 2026: 12:00-1:30 EST (ON CAMPUS / IN PERSON)
- April 29, 2026: 12:00-1:30 EST (ON CAMPUS / IN PERSON)
- May 6, 2026: 3:00-4:00 EST (VIRTUAL)
Student Resources
Student resources include:
- Department Student Organizations: NSSLHA and SAA
- Scholarships
- Student travel awards to support conference travel
- Tracking Clinical Hours (CALIPSO)
- Essential Functions and Technical Standards for Continued enrollment
- Grievance and complaint procedures
FAQ for Students
Frequently asked questions include:
- Where to find the Graduate School's application form
- Number of students accepted into the program
- Requirements for reference letters
- Admission decision timeline
- Importance of the essay in the application
- Requirements for students without an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders
- Transfer credit policy
- Program duration and course load
- Financial aid and assistance
- Documentation of observation hours
Application Requirements
Application requirements include:
- Completing the application via the Graduate School and submitting the application fee
- Submitting official transcripts for all colleges/universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Writing prompt: Why ECU is the chosen school for pursuing a graduate degree in speech-language pathology
- List of pre-requisite courses taken along with course descriptions
- Completed pre-requisite Excel file
- Resume (max 2 pages)
- Completing Casper, a 90-110 minute online, open-response situational judgment test
Casper Test
The Casper test comprises 12 sections of video and written scenarios, and typically takes between 60-90 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to the program. No studying is required for Casper, although applicants may want to familiarize themselves with the test structure.