Communication Sciences and Disorders M.S.
55-58 credits
Purpose of degree:
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. The academic and clinical components of this degree are designed to meet the requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Students will also be eligible for a Pennsylvania license in speech-language pathology. In addition, students may choose to complete requirements for the Instructional I Certificate (Teacher of the Speech-Language Impaired) in Pennsylvania schools (with the completion of certain education courses, a student teaching semester, and required state testing). The choice of the school certification option may lengthen the student’s degree program.
National accreditation
The Master of Science education program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at East Stroudsburg University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Outcome expectations of students and degree completion:
To meet the minimum competencies required by the Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KASA) of ASHA, and, upon completion of degree, to successfully pass the Praxis examination in speech-language pathology.
Mission statement of the department:
The mission of the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders is to provide an academic and clinical education program that prepares graduates to earn the ASHA CCC-SLP, and serve as a clinical and professional resource to the community.
Special resources of the department:
- Twelve fully equipped therapy rooms
- A state of the art audiology suite
- Observation rooms for both parents and students
- State-of-the-art voice and swallowing labs
- Dedicated clinical computer labs
- Class and study rooms
Program of Study
Undergraduate prerequisites required:
- Child development or developmental psychology
- Linguistics/psycholinguistics
- Statistics
- Speech science
- Introduction to audiology
- Introduction to communication disorders
- Speech and language development
- Phonetics or phonology
- Anatomy and physiology of speech/hearing mechanism
- Articulation/fluency disorders
- Neurologic bases of communication (course or competency)
- Natural sciences (six credits), including a biological and a physical science
- Behavioral sciences (six credits)
- Composition/writing
- College level math course
Students who do not meet all of the criteria listed under undergraduate prerequisites above may gain conditional admission but must remedy any deficiencies before filing a plan of study with the Graduate School.
Typical time to finish:
Full-time students will complete the program in five semesters, which includes the middle summer. Those students choosing the teacher certification option will require an extra 12 week placement and will graduate in the second August following entry into the program.
Part-time students will require a minimum of three years plus summers, depending on course availability compatible with their personal schedule. A degree is no longer available by attending classes in evenings and summers only.
Cohort
The class of full-time students which enters each fall semester moves through the program as a cohort.
Required courses:
| SPPA 521 | Augmentative/Alternative Communication | 2 credits |
| SPPA 534 | Clinical Audiology | 2 credits |
| SPPA 535 | Auditory Based Communication Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 541 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 542 | Language Disorders Preschool | 2 credits |
| SPPA 543 | Language Disorders in Adults | 3 credits |
| SPPA 544 | Fluency Disorders | 2 credits |
| SPPA 546 | Voice Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 549 | Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 credit |
| SPPA 550 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 credits |
| SPPA 560 | Diagnostic Procedures | 1 credit |
| SPPA 562 | Dysphagia | 3 credits |
| SPPA 563 | Language Learning Disabilities in School Age Children | 2 credits |
| SPPA 564 | Pediatric Dysphagia | 2 credits |
| SPPA 569 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 572 | Thesis | 3 credits |
| SPPA 574 | Orofacial Anomalies | 2 credits |
| SPPA 577 | Independent Study: | 3 credits |
| SPPA 580 | Preschool Language Skills as Precursor to Literacy | 2 credits |
| SPPA 581 | Communication Skills Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2 credits |
| SPPA 582 | Management of School Programs | 2 credits |
| SPPA 583 | Caseload Management in Medical SLP | 2 credits |
| SPPA 584 | Research Methods & Materials | 2 credits |
| SPPA 586 | Advanced Clinical Externship | 3 - 6 credits |
Illustrative plan of study:
The academic course work requirements are designed to meet the ASHA requirements for the CCC-SLP. Students may transfer up to six credit hours of appropriate graduate course work from another ASHA accredited program, subject to department approval.
No more than three graduate credits of course work with a grade of B- or lower may be on the transcript in order to be eligible for the degree. No more than one SPPA course may be repeated to improve the grade. SPPA 550 or SPPA 586 MUST be repeated if a student receives a grade of B- or lower. Further, any course in which a student earns a grace of “C” or lower must be repeated.
Plan of study for a full-time student
All below classes are required unless designated an elective.
Fall 1
| SPPA 541 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 542 | Language Disorders Preschool | 2 credits |
| SPPA 546 | Voice Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 534 | Clinical Audiology | 2 credits |
| SPPA 543 | Language Disorders in Adults | 3 credits |
| SPPA 581 | Communication Skills Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2 credits |
| SPPA 560 | Diagnostic Procedures | 1 credit |
Spring 1
| SPPA 535 | Auditory Based Communication Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 544 | Fluency Disorders | 2 credits |
| SPPA 549 | Clinical Methods in Speech-Language Pathology | 1 credit |
| SPPA 562 | Dysphagia | 3 credits |
| SPPA 563 | Language Learning Disabilities in School Age Children | 2 credits |
| SPPA 584 | Research Methods & Materials | 2 credits |
| SPPA 550 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 credits |
Summer 1
| SPPA 550 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 credits |
| SPPA 582 | Management of School Programs | 2 credits |
Fall 2
| SPPA 580 | Preschool Language Skills as Precursor to Literacy | 2 credits |
| SPPA 569 | Motor Speech Disorders | 3 credits |
| SPPA 583 | Caseload Management in Medical SLP | 2 credits |
| SPPA 521 | Augmentative/Alternative Communication | 2 credits |
| SPPA 564 | Pediatric Dysphagia | 2 credits |
| SPPA 574 | Orofacial Anomalies | 2 credits |
| SPPA 550 | Advanced Clinical Practicum | 2 credits |
Spring 2
| SPPA 586 | Advanced Clinical Externship | 3 - 6 credits |
Summer 2
| SPPA 586 | Advanced Clinical Externship | 3 - 6 credits |
Electives
Clinical Practicum
Each student is required to meet the clinical education requirements for the ASHA CCC-SLP (400 hours of clinical observation and practicum) in order to receive the degree. All students will complete at least three practicum experiences at the ESU Speech and Hearing Center (through SPPA 550 Advanced Clinical Practicum) and two different off-campus practicum experiences (through SPPA 586 Advanced Clinical Externship). A variety of clinical externship sites are available. The program faculty must approve all off-campus practicum sites. Students who pursue the teacher certification option must complete two full-semester off-campus externships (one in the adult setting and one in the school setting).
Final graduation requirement
Submission of a portfolio documenting achievement of competencies required by the KASA.
Admissions requirements and deadlines
Students should apply through the Graduate and Extended Studies website at www.esu.edu. Application deadline is Feb. 1 for fall admission.
All application documents, transcripts, and supporting material must be received no later than this date for consideration for admission. Spring admission is not offered. Admission decisions are generally made in March.
The following admission criteria will be applied:
- Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate prerequisites as listed above
- QPA 3.00 overall; QPA 3.00 in undergraduate major
- GRE scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of professional goals
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available through the department. These are awarded based upon merit and achievement to full-time students in the graduate program.
Graduate assistants do not teach classes, but complete projects and tasks assigned by professors.
The graduate assistantship is awarded for the first year of full-time study, with the possibility of extension through the first summer. Prospective students may wait to apply for graduate assistantships until offered acceptance for admission.