Communication Sciences and Disorders
Graduate Programs
Description
Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) is a discipline in human sciences and services offering graduates rewarding careers in speech-language pathology. A Master of Science program is available for students who have an undergraduate major in communication disorders or its equivalent. Individuals without an undergraduate degree in CSD who are interested in a Master of Science degree in CSD should contact the department graduate coordinator. Employment opportunities are commonly available in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. The Master of Science program, when combined with students' undergraduate preparation, lead to the academic and practicum requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech-language pathology issued by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Effective January 1, 1994, all graduate work applied toward the CCC must have been initiated and completed at a program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) of ASHA. The Graduate Program in Communication Disorders is accredited by CAA.
Program Purpose
It is the purpose of the Master of Science Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders to provide a high quality of student preparation leading to careers in human service discipline for persons with communication disorders and to promote scientific investigation in the normal and abnormal development and use of communication, speech, language, hearing and swallowing.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Sciences and Disorders MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
52 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission
Applications for admission are competitive and must be received by February 1 for the following fall semester. If a vacancy occurs during the academic year, mid-year admission is possible.
Applicants should have attained:
- a competitive score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
- professional coursework
- three statements of recommendation
- submission of a writing sample in the form of a letter of intent
Provisional Admission: Applicants who have not attained the above GPA (3.0) may be admitted provisionally on the basis of their performance on the GRE (contact department for specific requirements and prior experience).
Financial Assistance
A limited number of graduate assistantships in Communication Sciences and Disorders are available. Applications can be obtained online from the College of Graduate Studies and Research and should be filed by February 1 for the following academic year or until positions are filled.
Additional Information
Graduate study is fundamentally different than undergraduate work, as graduate students are expected to demonstrate superior academic performance. To be recommended by the faculty for graduation, each student's Plan of Study is reviewed individually for deficiencies.
Honesty Policy
As members of Minnesota State University, Mankato community, students assume the responsibility to meet the academic obligations in a fair and honest manner. This responsibility includes avoiding such activities as cheating, plagiarism, or collusion. Please refer to the University policy on academic honesty for definitions of terms and explanations.
Contact Information
314 Clinical Sciences Building
(507) 389-1414https://ahn.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/communication-sciences-and-disorders/
Faculty
Department Chair
- Megan Mahowald
Graduate Coordinator
- Bruce Poburka
Faculty
500 Level
Credits: 2
Types and characteristics of language disorders in children. Prereq: admission to major or concurrent enrollment in CDIS 503, consent of instructor, special education majors.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
Lab associated with CDIS 4/502. Practice in applying course content to the language of children. Prereq: admission to major or concurrent enrollment in CDIS 502, consent of instructor, special education majors.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in the areas of literacy foundations, development, assessment, intervention and disorders for speech-language pathologists. Students will engage in both a service learning (tutoring component) as well as complete a mini research project on reading or writing.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Delivery of clinical services in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other settings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
This course addresses overall equity, inclusion and diversity issues in education and healthcare systems both at the macro-level (system issues) as well as micro-level of service delivery of speech-language pathologists across race, ability, linguistic, and gender/sexuality diversity. Other issues of interprofessional practice, supervision, cultural competency will be addressed.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Explains and demonstrates the use of augmentative and alternative communication in the acquisition of knowledge about human communication disorders.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course will explore interprofessional practices with emphasis related to the areas of allied health and nursing sciences and related disciplines. Students will learn how to interact with other disciplines. Students will be taught techniques to implement outcome-based interprofessional activities through project or community-based experiences.Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
Strategies for identifying, designing, and critiquing research and professional information from classic and evidence-based practice perspectives.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
This course is an intermediate course designed to instruct graduate students in the area of child language assessment and intervention in the school age years. A variety of topics are covered detailing the identification of children with language impairment/disorder who are ages 5-18.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is an intermediate course designed to instruct graduate students in the area of child language assessment and intervention in the early childhood years. A variety of topics are covered detailing the identification of children with language impairment/disorder who are ages 0-5.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Advances in basic research and practices as they pertain to speech sound problems.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Comprehensive study of voice and upper airway disorders. Topics include anatomical and physiological bases, causes, prevention, assessment, evidence-based treatment, and in-depth coverage of selected clinical populations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Description, etiology, assessment, and management of fluency disorders.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
Advances in basic research and practice related to aphasia traumatic brain injury, right hemisphere dysfunction, and the dementias.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Apraxia and dysarthia of speech and dysphagia. Causes, assessment, and management.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course content pertains to a selected topic within Communication Sciences and Disorders and may vary with each offering.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course content pertains to a selected topic within Communication Sciences and Disorders, specifically focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and may vary with each offering.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Advanced individual study in a specific area. All termsPrerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Recognition and differentiation of linguistic and cultural differences and disorder in the multicultural population.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
CDIS689 strives to provide advanced cultural training opportunities for students to apply their multicultural knowledge and practice their cultural competence. This hybrid course prepares future healthcare professionals to serve culturally and linguistically diverse clients in the global marketplace. Students will develop a global multicultural understanding and intercultural communication skills, exchange a variety of culturally appropriate strategies, understand the professional scope of practice and service delivery, and learn about different healthcare systems and professional issues in a multicultural/multilingual world.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Description, etiology, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders across the life span. Bedside and instrumental techniques for the study of swallowing are presented.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This practicum focuses on placement in diverse settings with focus on assessment and intervention across the lifespan with a special focus on equity and inclusive practices in speech-language pathology. Experiences will be a combination of university-based experiences and experiences in applied settings including schools and medical facilities.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-2
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
Supervised delivery of clinical services. Prereq: admission to graduate program and 25 hours of observationPrerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course is an intermediate course designed to facilitate hands on diagnostic experiences for graduate students in Communication Sciences & Disorders. Students will interact with formal and informal assessments of language and literacy including assessment of related social and cognitive skills that impact academic performance. Students will have the opportunity to plan, implement, analyze and communicate findings from a diagnostic experience.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course is to develop and increase professional preparation of Master¿s level Speech-Language Pathology students at the end of their program. Professional issues such as job seeking, resume and job application preparation, licensure and accreditation as well as preparation for national exam in Speech-Language Pathology will be addressed.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-12
Prereq: CDIS 692 and a minimum of 25 clinical hoursPrerequisites: none
Credits: 3
.Prerequisites: none
