Program Overview

Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (CDS)

The Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (CDS) program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent speech-language pathologists. The program is offered entirely online and can be completed in 41 months.

Program Overview

The CDS program is a 63-unit program that includes coursework, clinical practicum experiences, and a culminating graduate project. The program is designed to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a speech-language pathologist in all states, as well as the requirements for certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the CDS program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Completed a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences/Speech-Language Pathology
• Completed all 10 prerequisite courses listed below by June of the year they are applying
• Prerequisite coursework includes:
  • Twelve semester units of basic coursework including phonetics, hearing science, speech and language development, and speech science
  • Three semester units in diagnostic methods
  • Nine semester units of coursework in the management of communicative disorders
  • Six semester units of courses in basic audiometry and auditory habilitation
• Completed coursework in biological science, physical science, statistics, and social/behavioral science
• Minimum GPA of 2.5

Program Requirements

To graduate from the CDS program, students must complete the following requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 63 semester units of coursework and clinical practicum experiences
• Completion of all coursework with a GPA of at least 3.0
• Completion of a Graduate Culminating Experience equivalent to 3 semester units
• Students must be fully classified at the time of graduation

Curriculum

The CDS program includes the following courses:

• CD 501: Interviewing and Counseling in Communicative Disorders
• CD 502: Research in Communication Disorders
• CD 552: Language Disorders II
• CD 558: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Speech, Language and Hearing
• CD 559: Neurogenic Disorders of Cognition and Language
• CD 660: Structural and Neurogenic Speech Disorders
• CD 661: Voice and Disorders of Voice
• CD 662: Seminar in Developmental Language Disorders
• CD 663: Adult and Pediatric Swallowing/Feeding Disorders
• CD 664: Advanced Diagnostics in Speech and Language Pathology
• CD 665: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I
• CD 666: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II
• CD 667: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III
• CD 668: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I
• CD 669: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology II
• CD 674: Pediatric Audiology
• CD 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies

Clinical Practicum Experiences

The CDS program includes five clinical practicum experiences:

• CD 565: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology I
• CD 566: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology II
• CD 567: Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology III
• CD 672A: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology I
• CD 672C: Advanced Clinical Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology II

Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the CDS program is $862 per unit, with a total of 63 units required for the program. The total tuition cost is $54,306. Additional fees include a university application fee, books and supplies, and a graduation application fee.

Faculty

The CDS program is taught by a faculty of experienced speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including:

• Michael Biel, CCC-SLP, ANCDS-BC, CScD
• Sarah Cathcart, M.S., CCC-SLP
• Scott Dailey, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Reed Elliott, M.A., CCC-SLP
• Sherry Foldvary, MBA, M.A., CCC-SLP
• Lisa Guerette, M.A. CCC-SLP, M.H.A., Au.D. CCC-A
• Delia Karahalios, Au.D., CCC-A
• Karen Kochis-Jennings, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Kyle Mamiya, M.S., CCC-SLP
• Rosie Quezada, M.A., CCC-SLP
• Carol Szymanski, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Dana Tappen, SLPD, CCC-SLP
• Andrew Vermiglio, Au.D., CCC-A
• Elizabeth G. Weber, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Kristina Wilson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
• Janice Woolsey, Ed.D., CCC-SLP
• Vickie Yu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

State Authorizations

The CDS program is authorized to operate in all U.S. states, with the exception of Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. Students residing in these states are not eligible for admission to the program.

Accreditation

The CDS program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).