Communication Sciences and Disorders (MS)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

52

Total Credits

52

Locations

Mankato

Online

Career Cluster

Health Science

Accreditation

CAA

Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description, etiology, assessment, and management of stuttering and related disorders through an evidence-based lens.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

Course content pertains to knowledge, skills, and attitudes surrounding culturally responsive and sustaining practices in speech, language, and hearing therapy.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

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

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

Research/Methods Course(s)

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

Restricted Electives

Clinical Practicum - Three enrollments (Fall, Spring & Summer in first year) are required of either/or 693 or 695.

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

Supervised delivery of clinical services. Prereq: admission to graduate program and 25 hours of observation

Prerequisites: none

Seminar Courses - Choose a minimum of three credits (or one course).

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

Course content relates to creating and maintaining therapeutic relationships in speech, language and hearing therapy, specifically focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

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

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Prerequisites: none

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Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

Prereq: CDIS 692 and a minimum of 25 clinical hours

Prerequisites: none

*Note: Two enrollments of CDIS 698 are required 2-6 credits per semester (Fall & Spring of second year).

Degree Plan

The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 12 Credits

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

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

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

Course content pertains to knowledge, skills, and attitudes surrounding culturally responsive and sustaining practices in speech, language, and hearing therapy.

Prerequisites: none

Supervised delivery of clinical services. Prereq: admission to graduate program and 25 hours of observation

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 14 Credits

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

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

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

Description, etiology, assessment, and management of stuttering and related disorders through an evidence-based lens.

Prerequisites: none

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

Supervised delivery of clinical services. Prereq: admission to graduate program and 25 hours of observation

Prerequisites: none

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

Summer - 10 Credits

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

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

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

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

Supervised delivery of clinical services. Prereq: admission to graduate program and 25 hours of observation

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 9 Credits

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

Prereq: CDIS 692 and a minimum of 25 clinical hours

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 7 Credits

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

Prereq: CDIS 692 and a minimum of 25 clinical hours

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Application and Admission Process

Apply to the program via Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application Service (CSDCAS).  The application deadline is February 1st. each year. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders. If applicant’s undergraduate degree is in another field, completion of a post-baccalaureate program is required (see details below). Per College of Graduate Studies admission policy, the minimal requirement for application is a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.0 scale, however, successful applicants typically far exceed the minimal admission qualifications.

Post-baccalaureate Program

Applications without an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders, must first complete a sequence of post-baccalaureate leveling courses. Upon enrollment in the leveling courses, applicants are eligible to apply for admission to the graduate program. The post-baccalaureate program is comprised of all of the courses listed in the prerequisites section of the application on CSDCAS or can be found on the program web site. These include courses in Communication Disorders as well as general education courses in Biology, Physical Science, Social/Behavioral Science, and Statistics. The general education courses can be transferred if they were already completed as part of another degree. Application to the graduate program may be initiated while the post-baccalaureate sequence is in process, but courses must be finished prior to the first semester of graduate enrollment.

Program Progression/Retention

Students must complete a program consisting of didactic and clinical coursework, including successful completion of the capstone. All coursework must be completed within the academic policies set forth by the College of Graduate Studies and the University. Program requirements also include knowledge and skills outcomes required for eventual clinical certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Students are also subject to certain core functions that are deemed essential to professional practice in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Details are outlined in a matriculation agreement that is presented to students upon enrollment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to any student upon request to facilitate achievement of all academic, clinical, and core functions.