Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-09-01 | - |
| 2027-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS
The department offers graduate programs leading to the MS and PhD in communication sciences and disorders. An additional program in the department leads to the AuD in audiology. The graduate program provides the opportunity for study in the areas of audiology, speechlanguage pathology, hearing science, language science, and speech science. The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare clinicians, researchers, and teachers who possess a solid foundation in both the theoretical and applied aspects of the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.
Program Tracks
The MS program has two tracks:
- Speech-Language Pathology track: a two-year professional program designed to prepare students for clinical work. It is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American SpeechLanguageHearing Association.
- Normal Aspects of Speech, Language, and Hearing track: a non-clinical degree. Most students complete this degree as a first step toward a PhD.
Admissions
Requirements
- Fall Deadline: January 15
- Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
- Summer Deadline: The program does not admit in the summer.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
- English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
- Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
- Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the Graduate Schools admission requirements, as well as department-specific requirements.
- The application minimum grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 (4.0 = A); however, the students we accept into the program typically have much higher GPAs.
Program Prerequisites
Applicants must complete the following undergraduate courses or equivalent before beginning graduate coursework:
- CS&D 201: Anatomy and Physiology of Speech Production (3 credits)
- CS&D 202: Hearing Science (3 credits)
- CS&D 240: Language Development in Children and Adolescents (3 credits)
- CS&D 315: Phonetics and Phonological Development (3 credits)
- CS&D 320: Introduction to Audiology (3 credits)
- CS&D 371: Pre-Clinical Observation of Children and Adults (3 credits)
- CS&D 425: Auditory Rehabilitation (3 credits)
- CS&D 440: Child Language Disorders, Assessment and Intervention (3 credits) In addition to the above courses, applicants will need to complete a course in each of the following areas:
- Biological sciences
- Physical sciences (chemistry or physics)
- Statistics
- Social/behavioral sciences
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.
Program Resources
Financial assistance, sometimes available to graduate students in communication sciences and disorders, consists of scholarships, fellowships, traineeships, and project and research assistant positions. Financial assistance is very limited and varies from year to year.
Requirements
Mode of Instruction
- Face to Face: Yes
- Evening/Weekend: No
- Online: No
- Hybrid: No
- Accelerated: No
Curricular Requirements
- Minimum Credit Requirement: 50 credits
- Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 44 credits
- Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 44 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
- Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
- Assessments and Examinations: During the semester before a student intends to finish their degree course work, they must take the Praxis II Exam (ASHA NESPA) and obtain a passing score (162 or better).
Required Courses
SpeechLanguage Pathology
- Year 1, Fall Semester:
- CS&D 503: Neural Mechanisms of Speech, Hearing and Language (3 credits)
- CS&D 700: Clinical Foundations for Speech-language Pathology Practice (1 credit)
- CS&D 701: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Individuals with Complex Communication Needs (3 credits)
- CS&D 703: Language and Learning Disorders of Children (3 credits)
- CS&D 708: Assessment and Management of Fluency Disorders across the Lifespan (1 credit)
- CS&D 790: Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2 credits)
- Year 1, Spring Semester:
- CS&D 700: Clinical Foundations for Speech-language Pathology Practice (1 credit)
- CS&D 704: Acquired Language and Cognitive-Communication Disorders in Adults (3 credits)
- CS&D 706: Management and Assessment of Voice Disorders (3 credits)
- CS&D 707: Swallowing Disorders (taken for 3 credits)
- CS&D 709: Language Development and Disorders in School Age Populations: School Methods and Procedures (3 credits)
- CS&D 790: Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2 credits)
- Summer Semester:
- CS&D 790: Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2 credits)
- Year 2, Fall Semester:
- CS&D 424: Sign Language I (optional elective)
- CS&D 700: Clinical Foundations for Speech-language Pathology Practice (1 credit)
- CS&D 705: Assessment and Treatment of Motor Speech Disorders across the Lifespan (2 credits)
- CS&D 710: Acquired Language and Cognitive-Communication Disorders in Adults II (3 credits)
- CS&D 790: Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Advanced Practicum, optional)
- CS&D 791: School Practicum in Communication Sciences & Disorders (4 credits)
- Year 2, Spring Semester:
- CS&D 700: Clinical Foundations for Speech-language Pathology Practice (1 credit)
- CS&D 720: Hearing and Auditory Rehabilitation for Speech-Language Pathology Practice (2 credits)
- CS&D 752: Capstone in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Integration of Clinical and Research Methods (3 credits)
- CS&D 790: Practicum in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Advanced Practicum, optional)
- CS&D 791: School Practicum in Communication Sciences & Disorders (4 credits)
Policies
Prior Coursework
No prior coursework from other institutions is allowed.
Probation
A student whose clinical performance in one semester received a grade of BC or C will be placed on clinical probation for their clinical practicum in the following semester.
Advisor / Committee
Every graduate student is required to have an academic advisor. The MS-SLP Director serves as the academic advisor.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Professional Development
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
The program has 34 learning outcomes, including:
- Possess foundational knowledge about basic human communication and swallowing processes.
- Identify sources and assemble evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in communication sciences and disorders.
- Articulate and critique the theories, research methods, and approaches in speech-language pathology. ...
- Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
Accreditation
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Lan