Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

For more information about degree offerings, visit the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders webpage.

The mission of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is to provide a comprehensive educational experience consisting of academic coursework, clinical training, and research opportunities for students pursuing professional careers in speech-language pathology. The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in speech-language pathology combines academic coursework and practical experience to prepare students to evaluate, treat, and conduct research with persons with communication and swallowing disorders in any professional setting. The two year graduate program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for certification by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), licensure and school certification in Speech-Language Pathology, and will qualify for a clinical fellowship position in a school, hospital, private practice, or rehabilitation/residential settings.

Master’s students who successfully complete the program will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of basic human communication and swallowing processes, including the appropriate biological, neurological, acoustic, psychological, developmental and linguistic and cultural bases. The applicant must have demonstrated the ability to integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal human development across the life span.
• Knowledge of communication and swallowing disorders and differences, including the appropriate etiologies, characteristics, anatomical/physiological, acoustic, psychological, developmental and linguistic and cultural correlates in the following areas:
  • articulation
  • fluency
  • voice and resonance, including respiration and phonation
  • receptive and expressive language (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, prelinguistic communication and paralinguistic communication) in speaking, listening, reading writing
  • hearing, including the impact on speech and language
  • swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal and related functions, including oral function for feeding, orofacial myology)
  • cognitive aspects of communication (attention, memory, sequencing, problem-solving and executive functioning)
  • social aspects of communication (including challenging behavior, ineffective social skills and lack of communication opportunities)
  • augmentative and alternative communication modalities
• For each of the areas specified above, students must demonstrate current knowledge of the principles and methods of prevention, assessment and intervention for people with communication and swallowing disorders, including consideration of anatomical/physiological, psychological, developmental and linguistic and cultural correlates.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of standards of ethical conduct.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of processes used in research and of the integration of research principles into evidence-based clinical practice.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of contemporary professional issues.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of entry level and advanced certifications, licensure and other relevant professional credentials, as well as local, state and national regulations and policies relevant to professional practice.
• The student must demonstrate skills in oral and written or other forms of communication sufficient for entry into professional practice.
• The student must demonstrate the following skills outcomes:
  • Evaluation
    • Conduct screening and prevention procedures (including prevention activities).
    • Collect case history information and integrate information from clients/patients, family, caregivers, teachers and relevant others, including other professionals.
    • Select and administer appropriate evaluation procedures, such as behavioral observations, nonstandardized and standardized tests and instrumental procedures.
    • Adapt evaluation procedures to meet client/patient needs.
    • Interpret, integrate and synthesize all information to develop diagnoses and make appropriate recommendations for intervention.
    • Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support evaluation.
    • Refer clients/patients for appropriate services.
• Intervention
  • Develop setting-appropriate intervention plans with measurable and achievable goals that meet clients’/patients’ needs. Collaborate with clients/patients and relevant others in the planning process.
  • Implement intervention plans (involve clients/patients and relevant others in the intervention process).
  • Select or develop and use appropriate materials and instrumentation for prevention and intervention.
  • Measure and evaluate clients’/patients’ performance and progress.
  • Modify intervention plans, strategies, materials or instrumentation as appropriate to meet the needs of clients/patients.
  • Complete administrative and reporting functions necessary to support intervention.
  • Identify and refer clients/patients for services as appropriate.
• Interaction and Personal Qualities
  • Communicate effectively, recognizing the needs, values, preferred mode of communication and cultural/linguistic background of the client/patient, family, caregivers and relevant others.
  • Collaborate with other professionals in case management.
  • Provide counseling regarding communication and swallowing disorders to clients/patients, family, caregivers and relevant others.
  • Adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics and behave professionally.

Programs

• Speech Language Pathology, M.S.

Courses

• CDAU 6353 Auditory Options for Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• CDAU 6473 Auditory Rehabilitation
• CDAU 7281 Graduate Clinical Practicum

• CDSP 6033 Infants and Toddlers at Risk
• CDSP 6163 Evaluation of Speech and Language Disorders
• CDSP 7083 Orofacial Anomalies
• CDSP 7113 Cognitive Communication Disorders
• CDSP 7123 Motor Speech Disorders
• CDSP 7133 School Age Language Disorders
• CDSP 7143 Aphasia and Neurology
• CDSP 7153 Voice Disorders
• CDSP 7163 Communication Modalities and Special Populations
• CDSP 7181 Graduate Clinical Practicum
• CDSP 7212 Fluency Disorders
• CDSP 7253 Techniques of Research and Evaluation
• CDSP 7273 Dysphagia
• CDSP 7282 Graduate Clinical Practicum
• CDSP 7381 Graduate Clinical Practicum
• CDSP 7481-4 Clinical Externship and School Practicum
• CDSP 7863 Special Topics
• CDSP 7912-4 Research and Paper
• CDSP 7961 Residency
• CDSP 7971-3 Seminar
• CDSP 7981-5 Research and Thesis
• CDSP 7991-3 Independent Study