Communication Sciences and Disorders
Graduate Programs
Description
Program Purpose: The Communication Sciences and Disorders MS provides 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 | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Sciences and Disorders MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
52 / 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, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Graduate Coordinator
- Bruce Poburka, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
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. Using a social justice lens, interprofessional practice, supervision, cultural humility, and culturally responsive practice will be addressed.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
In this course students will describe, demonstrate, apply and synthesize evidence-based practice in the use of augmentative and alternative communication in educational and medical settings. Students will learn about culturally responsive assessment and intervention approaches for nonspeaking individuals.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: 2
In this course, students will learn the basic principles of research in Communication Sciences & Disorders through an equity lens. Students will locate, critique and synthesize research in specific areas of interest in order to apply evidence-based practice standards.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
This course is an intermediate course designed to instruct graduate students in the area of culturally responsive and inclusive child language assessment and intervention practices within the school age years. A variety of topics are covered utilizing an intersectional and equity lens on assessment and intervention in applied medical and educational settings.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. Through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, a variety of topics are covered detailing the identification of children with language impairment/disorder who are ages 0-5.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 2
This course covers advances in basic research and practice pertaining to the assessment and treatment of speech-sound difficulties. Students discuss, explain, and compare twenty evidence-based research interventions and numerous standardized and non-standardized assessment tools, including reflection and attention to issues of multicultural sensitivity and multicultural practices.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Comprehensive study of voice and upper airway disorders, including dysphonia, alaryngeal speech, laryngeal dysfunction in breathing, gender-affirming voice care, and resonance disorders. Topics include in-depth study of selected disorders of voice including anatomical and physiological bases, etiologies, assessment, and evidence-based intervention with consideration for client-specific characteristics such as gender, culture, and health literacy.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Description, etiology, assessment, and management of stuttering and related disorders through an evidence-based lens.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
The purpose of this course is to provide graduate students with an overview of neurologically acquired adult language and cognitive disorders. Evidence-based practice is emphasized throughout the course. Comprehensive language and cognitive assessments and clinical case discussions, including case history, neurological exam results, behavioral symptoms, and lesion information and treatment plan will be used to explore clinically relevant issues and to develop basic differential diagnostic skills and treatment protocols.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Detailed study of motor speech disorders (dysarthria and apraxia of speech). Subtypes of dysarthria (e.g., flaccid, spastic, hypokinetic, etc.) are examined with focus on etiologies, oral mechanism and speech assessment findings, and evidence-based treatment with consideration for client-specific characteristics such as gender, culture, and health literacy. Apraxia of speech is covered with the same foci.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Variable topic course with content selected to address contemporary professional issues and/or topics in need of further study within the Communication Sciences and Disorders curriculum. Topics may include specific clinical populations or broad issues that transcend service delivery in Communication Sciences and Disorders.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course content relates to creating and maintaining therapeutic relationships in speech, language and hearing therapy, specifically focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Advanced individual study in a specific area. All termsPrerequisites: none
Credits: 2
Course content pertains to knowledge, skills, and attitudes surrounding culturally responsive and sustaining practices in speech, language, and hearing therapy.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1
This course provides advanced cultural training opportunities for students to apply their multicultural knowledge to enhance and practice their cultural competence. This hybrid course prepares future healthcare professionals to serve culturally and linguistically diverse clients in the global marketplace. International visitors who major in speech-language pathology or in a related field in a university may actively participate in this course.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. 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
