Program Overview

Master's Degree (MS) in Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Master's Degree Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky is designed to prepare students to practice professionally as entry-level speech-language pathologists upon completion of the program. Graduating students will be eligible to apply for the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association if all certification requirements are fulfilled satisfactorily. Students may also be eligible for Licensure in speech-language pathology in Kentucky and elsewhere in Speech Language Pathology.

Program Overview

Our mission is to serve the citizens of Kentucky and beyond by preparing students with the knowledge and skills needed to become pre-professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology. We strive to:

• Prepare students to become outstanding pre-professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology and successful applicants to clinical graduate programs
• Educate students in the diagnosis, evaluation, and care of individuals across the lifespan who have disorders related to speech sound production, voice, stuttering, comprehension and production of language, communication modalities, hearing, balance, feeding, and swallowing

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students who complete the program will typically meet the academic and clinical training requirements for the American Speech Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and for licensure in Kentucky and in most states with licensure requirements.

Related Careers

• Speech-Language Pathologist (Speech therapist)
• Audiologist (requires a clinical doctoral degree)

Program Details

• Offered by: College of Health Sciences
• Credit Hours: 64
• Credential: MS
• Tuition / Credit Hour:
  • Resident: $825.50
  • Non-Resident: $2,060.50

Admission Requirements

Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.

Application Requirements

Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.

Program Specific Requirements

• Students with an undergraduate degree in communication disorders complete the 2-Year Master’s program in two academic years of full-time study (six semesters). The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15.
• Students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-communication disorders field can still apply to the graduate program as a 3-Year Master's Program. The department accepts a limited number of 3-Year Master's program applicants each year.

Application Deadlines

• Domestic & International Students:
  • Fall: 04/15/2026
  • Summer: 04/18/2026

Funding Options

As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program.