Communication Sciences and Disorders MA MS

Program Overview

The Communication Sciences and Disorders master's degree prepares students to become speech-language pathologists, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support individuals with speech, language, and communication challenges. The program offers hands-on learning experiences through clinical practicums and external placements, and graduates are highly sought after in diverse healthcare settings, earning competitive salaries. The program fosters a supportive learning environment and provides opportunities for professional development through NSSLHA membership.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Communication Sciences and Disorders master's degree is tailored for individuals seeking expertise in speech-language pathology.
It equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to support individuals with challenges in speaking, comprehension, and self-expression.

Careers:

• The Communication Sciences and Disorders master's degree equips graduates to work in diverse settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care institutions, schools, and private practices as speech-language pathologists.
• Speech-language pathology is ranked highly in the U.S News and World Report (2022), placing 10th among the top 100 Jobs and 3rd in the Best Healthcare Jobs category.
• The job outlook for speech-language pathologists is promising, with projected growth of 19% from 2022 to 2032.
• Graduates earn a competitive salary, with the median pay for SLPs in the US reaching $84,140 in 2022 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• Students gain practical experience through hands-on learning opportunities, including:
• Clinical practicum in the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic during the first three semesters, supervised by COSD faculty
• External practicum placements in diverse settings during the final two semesters, under the guidance of ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.
• The program boasts a network of 190 externship sites across the nation.
• Students can join the Radford University Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) for professional development and networking opportunities.