Program Overview

Master's in Communication Science & Disorders

Program Information

The Master's in Communication Science & Disorders program at Florida State University provides advanced study in speech-language pathology for students preparing for professional careers in clinical, research, and teaching environments. The program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

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.

Clinical Training & Community Placements

Clinical training starts in the first semester at the FSU Speech & Hearing Clinic, with hands-on experience throughout the first year. In the second year, students are placed in hospitals, schools, and private practices within an hour of FSU. All students spend at least one semester in a school setting.

Internship

The final summer semester is a full-time internship at various clinical sites across the U.S., typically outside Tallahassee.

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

Admission to the master's program is contingent upon meeting the Florida State University policy on admission for graduate study. Academic standards, residence, transfer credits, and time limits are in accordance with regulations of the university. The deadline for application is January 15, and admissions decisions are sent via email by the end of March.

Program's Courses

Academic Courses

• SPA 6231r: Seminar in Neuropathologies: Aphasia
• SPA 5204: Articulation and Phonological Disorders
• SPA 5401: Communication Intervention: Infants and Preschoolers
• SPA 5462: Developmental Communication Disorders: School Age Issues
• SPA 5254: Acquired Neurolinguistic and Cognitive Disorders
• SPA 5565: Seminar in Dysphagia
• SPA 5646: Communication for Persons Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• SPA 6930r: Seminars in Special Topics: Multicultural Issues
• SPA 5225: Fluency Disorders
• SPA 5559: Augmentative Communication Systems
• SPA 5230: Motor Speech Disorders
• SPA 5554: Counseling in Speech-Language Pathology
• SPA 5432: Autism and Severe Communicative Disabilities
• SPA 5211: Voice Disorders

Clinical/Professional Courses

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

Clinical Practicum Courses

• 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

Program's Faculty

The program's faculty includes:

• Andrea Barton-Hulsey, Associate Professor
• Erin Bush, Assistant Professor
• Hugh Catts, Professor, SCSD
• 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
• Casey Guynes, Teaching Faculty
• Kristen Guynes, Teaching Faculty II
• Shannon Hall-Mills, Associate Professor; Graduate Program Coordinator (TLH Campus)
• Lakeisha Johnson, Assistant Professor
• Catherine Johnson, Teaching Faculty I
• 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
• Ellen M. Nimmons, Teaching Faculty III, Clinical Faculty Instructor
• K. Brooke Ott, Teaching Faculty I - Clinical Instructor
• April Powell, Teaching Faculty I
• Mollie Romano, Associate Professor
• Linda Sasser, Teaching III, Clinic Faculty, Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Auditory Verbal Therapist
• Selena Snowden, Teaching Faculty III, Director of Audiology Services
• Michelle Therrien, Associate Professor
• Sana Tibi, Associate Professor
• Jennifer Westmoreland, Teaching Faculty I, Clinical Instructor
• Carla Wood, Professor, School Director
• Zilong Xie, Assistant Professor