Program Overview

Master's in Communication Science & Disorders (Distance Learning)

Program Information

The Master's in Communication Science & Disorders (Distance Learning) is a part-time, online hybrid learning environment program. The goal of this program is to address the critical shortage of speech-language pathologists by allowing students to gain hands-on knowledge and experience at clinical sites in their community in Florida.

Program Overview

A master's degree is the minimum educational level for entrance into the profession, and graduate-level training is required for professional specialization and fulfillment of requirements for national certification, state licensure, and state teacher certification. Professionals in the field work in many settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing care facilities, industry, government health facilities, research laboratories, and private practice.

Accreditation Statement

The School of Communication Science and Disorders' Master of Science (both residential and Distance Learning) education program in speech-language pathology at Florida State University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Program Details

• The program begins in fall and takes three years (9 semesters) to complete.
• Participants must reside in Florida to complete the program from beginning to end due to the location of their practicum placements.
• On-site practicum work within the student's local community is required in conjunction with academic coursework.
• Students must commit to 12+ hours/week on site for all practicum experiences in semesters 3-8 in addition to taking the academic courses.

Clinical Education Information

• Students work with the clinical placement team to find and secure clinical placements for semesters 3 through 9.
• The clinical placement team secures all school placements based on input from students and availability within desired districts.
• Students reach out independently to private practices to secure a placement(s).
• The clinical placement team will reach out on behalf of the student for most, if not all, medical-based sites including, but not limited to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

Courses

Academic Courses (40 credits)

• SPA 5204: Articulation and Phonological Disorders
• SPA 5211: Voice Disorders
• SPA 5462: Developmental Communication Disorders: School Age Issues
• SPA 5401: Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers
• SPA 5432: Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities
• SPA 6930r: Seminars in Special Topics: Multicultural Issues
• SPA 6841r: Seminar in Language: Aphasia
• SPA 5225: Fluency Disorders
• SPA 5254: Acquired Neurolinguistic and Cognitive Disorders
• SPA 5554: Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology
• SPA 5565: Seminar in Dysphagia
• SPA 5559: Augmentative Communication Systems
• SPA 5230: Motor Speech Disorders
• SPA 5646: Communication for Persons Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Clinical/Professional Courses (5 credits)

• SPA 5055: Professionals tools I, II, III
• SPA 5553: Seminar in Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Clinical Practicum Courses (16 credits)

• SPA 5941: Beginning Speech-Language Pathology Practicum
• SPA 5505: Advanced Clinical Practicum
• SPA 5526L: Laboratory in Child Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics
• SPA 5528L: Laboratory in Adult Speech-Language Pathology Diagnostics
• SPA 5305L: Measurement and Management of Impaired Hearing
• SPA 5942: Community Clinical Practicum
• SPA 5944: Speech-Language Pathology Internship

Admissions

Eligibility Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university.
• An upper division cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Prerequisite coursework in Communication Science and Disorders.

Master's Program Admissions Process

1. Apply online through the Graduate Application Portal.
2. Official transcripts from every university, college, or institution attended must be sent to the School of Communication Science & Disorders.
3. After completing the University Application, pay the non-refundable FSU application fee.
4. Submit supporting documents, including a resume or Curriculum Vitae, supplemental application with short-response questions, and three letters of recommendation.

Faculty

• Andrea Barton-Hulsey, Associate Professor
• Erin Bush, Assistant Professor
• Christopher Constantino, Associate Professor
• Kimberlee Crass, Teaching Faculty II, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, NSSLHA Faculty Advisor
• Jinger Deason, Graduate Program Director - Distance Learning; Clinical Placement Coordinator; Teaching I
• Kelly Farquharson, Professor; Director, Children's Literacy and Speech Sound (CLaSS) Lab
• Rebecca Greenhill, Teaching Faculty I - Clinical Instructor
• Shannon Hall-Mills, Associate Professor; Graduate Program Coordinator (TLH Campus)
• Catherine Johnson, Teaching Faculty I
• Lakeisha Johnson, Assistant Professor
• Yunjung Kim, Professor, Doctoral Program Coordinator
• Kaitlin Lansford, Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Creative Activities
• Elizabeth B. Madden, Associate Professor
• Tricia Montgomery, Teaching III Faculty, Director of Clinical Education & Director - FSU Speech & Hearing Clinic
• Richard Morris, Professor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Advancement
• K. Brooke Ott, Teaching Faculty I - Clinical Instructor
• April Powell, Teaching Faculty I
• Sana Tibi, Associate Professor
• Jennifer Westmoreland, Teaching Faculty I, Clinical Instructor
• Carla Wood, Professor, School Director